Air travel is expected to grow by a factor of 2 to 3 times by 2025 and people working in the aviation system, including airport personnel, pilots, and air traffic controllers, must be able to safely and efficiently operate in this arena ("NextGen"). In response to the personnel training and education requirements concomitant with "NextGen," airport operations professional competence research focused on an evaluation of the perceived effectiveness of a newly developed all-learning-styles airport simulation training system. Virtual airport simulation technology (VAST [superscript 2]) utilizes text, audio, and imagery in an interactive, simulated environment for airside initial training for professional competence. The study also analyzed nine professional competence variables: knowledge, situational awareness, critical thinking, communication, judgment, decision-making, crew resource management, self efficacy and ethics. The findings suggest that VAST [superscript 2] is effective for airport operations initial training. Eight of the professional competence variables were studied in the simulation training sequences. The participants agreed that current airport operations training programs do not usually include virtual reality training, but suggested a preference for its inclusion as part of a comprehensive airport operations initial training program. The study also suggested that the nine professional competence variables should be part of airport operations initial training, including crew resource management, self efficacy, and ethics. The professional competence variables may be considered as a model for airport operations professional competence, and future research is suggested to determine other potential aviation and interdisciplinary applications. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]