Burning Holes in the Sky

Photo of me in a Horizon Air Dash 8 Q400.

How did I get into flying?

I didn’t make the final decision to become a pilot until my senior year in high school. When I was young I always watched the airplanes fly overhead with curiosity, but never really dreamed of becoming a pilot until high school. I enjoy whitewater kayaking, skiing, backpacking, surfing and the majority of sports. The problem is, these things take time and money to do. Becoming a professional pilot seemed like a logical occupation with plenty of perks. Initially I began pursuing my goal to fly commercially for the money and days off. So after high school graduation I began attending Central Washington University with zero flight time, no pilots in the family, and little idea whatsoever what I was getting myself into.

After a few years of college and hundreds of hours in various aircraft, I’ve acquired a different outlook on the profession. It’s not about the money anymore, those that go into the business expecting paychecks in the 6 digits will be disappointed. I enjoy the responsibility and challenge of piloting an aircraft, not to mention the incredible view which is impossible to describe. Flight instructing has been very rewarding and is not just a stepping stone to build time for the airlines – it’s something I plan to do in some form or fashion for the rest of my life. Whether it’s being a Simulator Instructor for Alaska Airlines, or teaching part-time while flying for Horizon Air – I’ll never let my teaching Certificate expire.

My Aviation Background: 

2004: I grew up in Camas, WA and graduated from Camas High School and earned the Camas/Washougal Aviation Administration Scholarship to go to Central Washington University, which offers a 4-year professional pilot major. I began my flight training at CWU which is in windy Ellensburg, WA during September.

• First Solo: Cessna 152 on October 30th.

2005: This was a busy year, earned my Private Certificate and Instrument Rating, did a lot of solo cross countries in C-152s across Eastern Washington, and began working on my Commercial Certificate.

• Private Certificate: Cessna 152 on April 22nd.
• Instrument Rating: Piper Warrior III on August 25th.

2006: I managed to earn my Commercial, CFI, and CFII certificates during 2006. My first Flight Instructor job was at Aero Maintenance Flight Center in Vancouver, WA. I worked over the summer and averaged 100 hours of flight time a month. Towards the end of the summer, I had 600 hours and earned my CFII during Fall Quarter of my Junior year at CWU.

• Commercial Certificate (ASEL): Piper Arrow III on February 24th.
• Certified Flight Instructor (ASEL): Piper Arrow III on June 11th.
• First CFI Job: Aero Maintenance Flight Center, KVUO in Vancouver, WA from June-September.
• Tail wheel Endorsement: J-5 Cub August.
• Certified Instrument Flight Instructor: Piper Warrior III on October 27th.

2007: I am finishing up my Aviation Degree at CWU, and plan to graduate Winter Quarter 2008. I earned my Multi-engine Rating early this year, and finished my Multi-Engine Instructor Certificate soon after.  I worked at Snohomish Flying Service as a CFI/CFII/MEI over the summer and a few months into the Fall.

• Commercial (AMEL) Multi-engine w/ Instrument Rating: Piper Seminole on April 2nd.
• Certified Multi-Engine Flight Instructor: 1959 Piper Apache on June 9th.
• Second CFI Job:  Snohomish Flying Service, S43 in Snohomish, WA from June – November.
• First Airline Interview and Job Offer: Hired as First Officer for Horizon Air on November 27th.

2008: I graduated from Central Washington University in March, and began working for Horizon Air in April.  I had a great experience with Horizon Air flying the Q400.  When furloughs were announced, I found a job with a airline in Nigeria looking for Q400 pilots called Arik Air.  The interview went well, and in November I signed a contract saying I would work for the company.

• Graduated from CWU in March.
• Started working for Horizon Air as a Q400 First Officer in April.
• Furloughed from Horizon Air on November 10^th.
• Signed contract to work for Arik Air, a Nigerian airline in November.

2009: I spent several months collecting unemployment waiting to start my new job with Arik Air.  The Q400 deliveries were delayed so they didn’t need me as soon as originally planned.  In March, they sent me to Q400 recurrent training, and then late April, I was finally flown out to Nigeria to begin training.

• Q400 recurrent simulator training for Arik Air in March.
• First trip out to Nigeria to begin work with Arik Air late in the month of May.
• Began flying the Q400 finally for Arik Air in November!

2010: Have been happily working for Arik Air

2011: Still flying the Q400 for Arik!