My story
LIke so many, we get inspired by aviation by the simplest act of kindness or curiosity. For me, I was barely 8 years old and traveling on a certain US Airline flying to visit a childhood friend. This captain saw me with my “unaccompanied Minor” tags and invited me forward for a flight deck visit. That act of kindness by Captain “S” sparked a passion, a drive and focus that 30 years later is as strong as it was back then.
It wouldn’t be for another 9-10 years that I would start my flying journey due to financial issues and access to flying from living abroad due to my parents work. But there wasn’t a moment I wasn’t deep in a flying book or flight simulator going thru the motions to learn all I could.
I did my Private pilot during my Junior/ Senior year of high school, training out of West Chicago, DuPage Airport (KDPA) where I met some incredible instructors, who, to this day, I am friends with and speak to regularly.
After graduating from High School, I attended the University of Dubuque where I completed my Instrument, Commercial and Multi Engine Ratings. Followed by entering the United States Navy to fulfill a tradition of service and continue to see the world.
I was honored to be able to live in Sasebo, Japan for around 2 years while attached to a now decommissioned ship, USS DENVER (LPD-9). There were some incredible experiences I had. Countless countries and port visits which were truly the “cherry on the top”.
After my time in Japan, I selected orders to San Diego in 2010 and it was there I would find the love of my life, endure the struggles of paying for flying and training, get married, start a family and earn every single hour in that log book.
11 years later, thru countless days of finding how many hours I could fly without going broke, we did it. We reached the threshold for me to go get my first flying job.
If you have ever had the privilege of flying the BeechJet 400a, then you know just how unique that airplane is and I am grateful for learning to fly turbine in an “old school” jet compared to modern avionics and technology.
After a year of flying the BeechJet, it was time to onto my next career milestone and was honored to be hired on to my current employer where I fly an Airbus A320 out of Las Vegas. The aircraft is amazing, the varied destinations are fun and the fellow pilots are genuine and enjoy the work we do. Three years on, I am still here, loving the flying, and excited for whatever tomorrow’s adventures may bring.
If you caught the WE a few paragraphs above, that’s intentional. I would not be where I am today if not for the incredible sacrifice and belief my wife and children have had for my passion. She is truly why I am able to fly. It was her believing in me to continue my pursuit and willingly putting our financial wellbeing into concern that I am where I am because of her.
There is no blog, gift or words that can express my gratitude for her and for my kids who know that “daddy won’t be home tonight”.
I hope this summary of me has piqued your interest and helped you establish who I am and just how serious I am about what I do.