When the high school and middle school students attending leave Aviation Career Day at Van Nuys Airport this week, organizer Barbara Cesar hopes they come away with a better understanding of careers offered by the aviation industry. Cesar started the career day in 2006 to show that aviation was more than just piloting a plane. Opportunities exist in administration, catering, maintenance, flight operations, and customer service. Syncro Aircraft Interiors Inc., the company Cesar operates, designs and installs interiors for private planes. “We wanted to get kids to see the importance of staying up with studies in math and science to show how they relate to aviation,” Cesar said. More than 1,500 students from Los Angeles Unified School District high school and middle schools plus some private schools are confirmed to attend the April 20 event at the Syncro hangar although the number could get closer to 2,000, organizers said. Last year’s event took place on a Saturday and open to the public. This year to focus on exposing young people to aviation careers, it was made invitation only and takes place on a school day. “Here, we have a better chance to get the kids who want to be there and leverage their excitement,” said Kenn Phillips, director of education and workforce investment with the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley. Aviation and aerospace firms will showcase exhibits and offer applications for summer jobs or internship programs. Actor John Ratzenberger, co-founder of the Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs Foundation, a co-sponsor of the event, will be the master of ceremonies. The Boeing Co., Clay Lacy Aviation, Jet Fleet International, TWC Aviation, and; Intertech Overload, Inc. are among the companies taking part. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will host a plane-building contest in which three winners each receive a $4,000 scholarship. Students attending the event must have a C or higher average and received parental and school approval.