Inside the flight deck and out, ALPA members are engaging with other individuals and organizations to accomplish extraordinary things. Read Air Line Pilot’s “Our Stories” columns to learn what pilots are doing to expand their horizons and connect with the global community. Do you know someone who should be the subject of an Our Stories, or does your story tell a great tale? Email ALPA with details or for more information.
March 2024
Endeavor Pilot Performs On the Flight Deck And Concert Stage
Whether he’s operating as a crewmember on the flight deck or performing an intricate passage as a member of a classical music ensemble, F/O Netanel Draiblate (Endeavor Air) has a reputation for paying great attention to detail. Known to his friends simply as “Nati,” he executes his skills as both a New York-based Endeavor Air CRJ900 pilot and a concertmaster and violinist for the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra with great precision.
November-December 2023
Traveling the World with Cirque du Soleil
While it’s not uncommon for ALPA members to have pursued other opportunities before making their way to an airline flight deck, Capt. Raphael Brassard (Air Canada) has a particularly unusual background. Prior to becoming an A320 pilot, he performed as a musician and bandleader with Cirque du Soleil.
October 2023
Hawaiian Pilot Gains Recognition As Accomplished Tandem Surfer
Capt. Karin Martin (Hawaiian) is a woman on the move. When she isn’t traversing the skies as an Airbus A321 pilot for her airline, she’s riding the waves as a competitive tandem surfer.
September 2023
Delta Pilot Showcases Restored Mustang at This Year’s Oshkosh
One of the star attractions at this summer’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh was F/O Scott “Scooter” Yoak (Delta), who flew in the annual event’s featured air shows (see page 23). While the solo aerobatic performer pilots a variety of vintage fighters, he’s best known for flying his North American P-51D Mustang Quick Silver.
August 2023
United Pilot Runs for District Seat In Indiana House Race
While participating in ALPA’s Legislative Summit this past June, F/O Matt McNally (United), a longtime Indiana resident, acknowledged that his political interests include taking a more active role in government. The ALPA district advocate and Council 12 Legislative Affairs Committee member subsequently announced that he plans to run for the District 39 seat in the Indiana House of Representatives in 2024.
June-July 2023
Loss of engine power is something airline pilots train for but hope they never have to encounter. However, Capt. Jim Davis (United) routinely soars high above the Chicago, Ill., suburbs, relying solely on the area’s thermals to keep him aloft. A member of a glider club, he frequently flies one of the club’s four sailplanes, taking advantage of rising air currents in the atmosphere to increase his altitude.
May 2023
Delta Pilot Prepares to Resume Dogsled Racing
Exposure to a fascinating activity at an early age can often lead to a lifelong interest or pursuit. Like many ALPA members, F/O Anne Midkiff (Delta) developed a love of aviation from her exposure to flying as a young child. The Loveland, Colo., resident also had numerous early encounters with dogsledding.
April 2023
Ex-Marine Recalls Days as White House Helicopter Pilot
ALPA pilots often swap stories about notable passengers they’ve transported, including professional athletes, actors, and musicians. But F/O John James (Frontier) routinely flew heads of state during his tenure as a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot.
March 2023
Spirit Pilot ‘Grapples’ with New Role as MMA Reality TV Show Producer
While some airline pilots may opt to take a few self-defense courses to better protect the flight deck, F/O Nilofer Mallick (Spirit) is an expert in the field. Fascinated with mixed martial arts (MMA), she earned her Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt, demonstrating the technical knowledge and skill for the second-highest ranking of this very specialized discipline.
January-February 2023
FedEx Pilot Applies Life Lessons to Reach Top OBAP Post
As a high school student, Capt. Joel Webley (FedEx Express) could never have imagined leading a group like the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP). However, years later, his extensive education and experience would help him do just that—although he believes the primary reason for this success was significantly more fundamental.
November-December 2022
On the Road: Frontier Pilot Motorcycles the World
The adage that it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey holds a special meaning for Capt. Bob Dolven (Frontier). What began as a motorcycle tour of the United States during a two-month hiatus from airline flying in 2009 quickly morphed into a decade-long odyssey across the globe. His mode of transportation was a 2004 BMW 1150GS nicknamed Andiamo, which means “let’s go” in Italian.
October 2022
Homer Scholarship Helps Recipient Pursue His Passion for Flying
With the North American airline industry recently observing the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it’s important that we also remember the tremendous good that resulted from our collective efforts to heal from this devastating tragedy. A noteworthy example is the creation of the LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation and the scholarships it’s provided to assist students interested in pursuing professional flying careers. Homer was the first officer of United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed in Shanksville, Pa., on that tragic day. F/O Mike Scott (FedEx Express), who in 2003 became one of the first Homer scholarship recipients, took full advantage of this resource to embark on what’s been a productive and rewarding career.
September 2022
Air Wisconsin Pilot Performs Aerobatic Feats in Russian MiG-17F
Capt. Randy Ball (Air Wisconsin) is regularly called upon to test the limits of his flying skills although, thankfully for the sake of his passengers, not while on an airline flight deck. When he isn’t in the left seat of a Canadair CL-600 flying for his air carrier, Ball is performing as North America’s premier jet demonstration pilot, wowing air show audiences in a Russian 1960s-era MiG-17F.
August 2022
Alaska Pilot Enjoys Alternate Career as a Country Music Songwriter
F/O Tom Perkins (Alaska) professed his love for both aviation and country music at a young age, but it wasn’t until he became an adult that he was able to pursue both passions. Today, the Los Angeles, Calif.-based B-737 pilot is also a songwriter for Ronnie Dunn of the 2019 Country Music Hall of Fame duo Brooks & Dunn.
June-July 2022
United Pilot Plots Course to the Flight Deck for Women of Color
“If you can see it, you can be it!” said Capt. Theresa Claiborne (United), who believes in the importance of having differing role models on airline and military flight decks to help a broader range of people envision themselves in jobs they previously thought were unattainable. Stressing the value of diversity, she added, “If I can be the best pilot I can be, it makes it that much easier for the next young lady who looks like me, who wants to fly for a living.”
May 2022
Piano-Playing Pilot Captivates Audiences On Layovers, in Airports
If music is the universal language, Capt. Beau Brant (United) has been sharing his personal message with travelers in cities around the world for nearly 20 years. A longtime professional piano player, Brant has been known to explore hotel lobbies in cities from Zurich, Switzerland, to Sydney, Australia, looking for a keyboard to play blues, classical, and jazz melodies, all from memory.
April 2022
Delta Pilot Coordinates, Participates in Annual Airline Ski Competitions
If you enjoy Alpine snow skiing or snowboarding, F/O Are Johnsen (Delta) has the event for you. When he isn’t flying Airbus A330s for his airline, Johnsen serves as the president of the North American Airlines Ski Federation (NAASF), an organization that brings together clubs of employees from different U.S. and Canadian airlines. Three times a year, teams gather at some of North America’s most renowned ski resorts to compete for awards and simply have a great time. Those who wish to attend but not compete are welcome to register and enjoy the mountain at their own pace.
March 2022
JetBlue Pilot Works with Charity to Help At-Risk Kids
A different perspective and a little encouragement can go a long way to help those in need. Capt. Ken Hertz (JetBlue) learned this firsthand as an Above the Clouds volunteer. “It’s been an incredibly uplifting and rewarding experience,” he commented. Looking back at his nearly eight years with the charitable organization, he added, “Actually, I feel like I get more out of it than I put in.”
October-November 2021
JetBlue Pilot Advocates for Crohn’s Disease Research
For many who steadfastly support charities and social causes, their motivations are personal—including Capt. Kelly Strong (JetBlue). When he isn’t flying A320s for JetBlue, Strong is a fundraiser and staunch advocate for Crohn’s disease research. The New York-based captain’s 25-year-old son Benjamin suffers from the debilitating condition.
September 2021
FedEx Pilot Brings Hope to the Visually Impaired
Capt. Cyndhi Berwyn (FedEx Express) routinely transports a wide range of deliverables as a B-777 all-cargo pilot. But as an Orbis Flying Eye Hospital pilot volunteer, she conveys something truly extraordinary—the gift of sight.
July-August 2021
United Pilot Helped Shepherd Critical Aviation Legislation as Member of Congress
Pilot engagement in ALPA’s Government Affairs activities and lobbying efforts is crucial to the Association’s success on Capitol Hill. And working with volunteers who understand the complexities of flying, combined with the inner workings of the federal government because they’re former Members of Congress, gives ALPA even more political clout.
June 2021
Pilot Mentor Provides Hope For Rehab Patients
It’s been said that mentors help us envision a future for ourselves that we might otherwise not be able to see. That’s the goal Capt. Chad Harris (FedEx Express) strives to accomplish when he volunteers his time at the Warriors Center in Memphis, Tenn.
April-May 2021
WestJet Pilot Honoured For Excellence, Contributions To Profession
Aviation has provided a truly extraordinary journey for F/O Stacey Jackson (WestJet), who was recently honoured with the 2020 “Elsie” Flight Operations Award from the Northern Lights Aero Foundation.
March 2021
Former NFL Player Emphasizes Importance of Teamwork Both on the Field and the Flight Deck
Capt. Kevin Houser (CommutAir) has always considered himself a team player, whether serving as a pilot recruiter, line check airman, or ground training and simulator instructor for his airline or as a professional football player with the National Football League (NFL). Prior to flying for CommutAir, Houser spent an amazing 11 years as a long snapper for the New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, and Baltimore Ravens.
December 2020
Delta Pilot Volunteers With Civil Air Patrol, Mentors Young Aviators
Capt. Cathy Plasschaert (Delta) truly loves to fly and openly shares this passion for aviation with others. In her free time, the Minneapolis-based B-757/-767 pilot serves as a deputy commander, character development instructor, assistant aerospace education officer, and major in the Mankato Composite Squadron of the Minnesota Wing Civil Air Patrol (CAP).
November 2020
Many witnessed the evidence of this year’s catastrophic California wildfires, looming in the hazy late-summer skies across much of the United States. However, F/O Charles “Chad” Fairbrother (Alaska) saw the blazes firsthand as a volunteer firefighter and first responder for Station 40 of the Coastside Fire Protection District in Half Moon Bay, Calif.
October 2020
ALPA Pilot Relives First Transcontinental Airmail Service
F/O Kent Katnik (United) recently had the opportunity of a lifetime participating in a relay team memorializing the very first coast-to-coast airmail run in the United States. On September 8–11—exactly 100 years from the original airmail operation—he and 39 other pilots, flying 15 legs of a 2,560-mile journey from Farmingdale, N.Y., to San Francisco, Calif., transported a commemorative mailbag for the Air Mail 100 Centennial Flights reenactment.
September 2020
ALPA Pilot Gives Back By Transporting Furry Friends in Need
During these challenging times, many individuals are looking to help and offer support to those in need. Here’s how one ALPA member has been paying it forward, helping animals find their forever homes.
August 2020
Envoy Pilot Has Lighter-Than-Air Experience Flying Goodyear Blimp
Capt. Andrew Rose’s (Envoy Air) love of aviation led him to pursue an airline piloting job, but a unique flying opportunity several years ago prompted him to take a sabbatical from airline flying.
May 2020
Spirit Pilot Finds Her Birth Family and Her Flying Roots
It's not uncommon for airline pilots to have family members who also work in the airline industry, but for Capt. Shari Ritchkin (Spirit) the news came as a surprise.
April 2020
Frontier Pilot Jumps at the Chance To Skydive
Capt. Russell “Rusty” Lewis (Frontier) has long been fascinated with the sky, but before he ever considered climbing into an airline cockpit, he was bailing out of airplanes. Lewis is a professional skydiver who has successfully performed nearly 10,000 jumps.
March 2020
I Am Ironman: ALPA Pilot Challenges Himself in Triathlon Competitions
Capt. Reese Wolff (Alaska) puts his perseverance, physical endurance, and sheer will to the test a half dozen times a year. When he’s not flying the Airbus A320 or volunteering as a Training Committee member for his pilot group, he competes in Ironman contests. Having been bitten by the triathlon “bug,” his goal is to one day qualify for and participate in the annual Kona Ironman World Championship in Hawaii.
December 2019
Retired ALPA Pilot Transports Passengers Back to Early Days Of Air Travel
Capt. Cody Welch (Northwest, Ret.) enjoys providing people with an education about what air travel was like during the North American airline industry’s infancy. But rather than assigning books to read, Welch gives his “students” hands-on experience. As a pilot and chair of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) Ford Trimotor Tour program, he takes them for rides in the pioneering airliner.
November 2019
JetBlue Pilot Applies Her Skills as JAG to Resolve ALPA Grievance Issues
F/O Jen Berns (JetBlue) has a very full schedule. In addition to being an A320 pilot, she also serves in the Florida Air National Guard as a judge advocate general (JAG). And in her “spare” time, she uses her knowledge and skills as a member of her pilot group’s Grievance and Military Affairs Committees.
October 2019
FedEx Express Pilot Journeys into Space
Capt. Charles Hobaugh (FedEx Express) has experienced what few others have: traveling beyond Earth into space. Prior to his career as an air cargo pilot, he served as a space shuttle astronaut on three missions—twice as a pilot and once as a commander. In total, he logged 36 days in space, completing nearly 600 orbits.
September 2019
Pushing The Envelope As a Blue Angel
Before his days as an airline pilot, F/O John Saccomando (United) was known to push the envelope on occasion. For two years, the Navy Reserve captain and Washington, D.C.-based B-767 pilot performed remarkable aerial feats as a member of the celebrated Blue Angels. Officially known as the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Angels are the world’s most famous precision flying team. When performing their Diamond 360 maneuver, they fly as close as 18 inches from each another. The job requires both physical conditioning and impeccable stick-and-rudder skills.
August 2019
Delta Pilot Transforms B-747 Engine into Automotive Sensation
Is it an airplane? Is it a car? Is it a golf cart? It’s all three! And Capt. Paul Holmes (Delta) refers to it as his Jetmobile—an earthbound, motorized transport designed from the cowling of a Boeing jumbo-jet engine. Holmes envisioned and engineered the vehicle on a cocktail napkin nearly seven years ago and uses it to promote awareness of worthwhile charities and the airline piloting profession.
June-July 2019
Retired FedEx Pilots Builds Cars to Help Save Lives
After a career in the skies, Capt. Bob McKee (FedEx Express, Ret.) is directing much of his attention these days toward more earthly pursuits—namely cars. And in conjunction with the 2019 World Golf Championship–FedEx St. Jude Invitational, which takes place in Memphis, Tenn., on July 24–28, he’ll once again auction off a classic roadster to raise money for a world-renowned charity.
May 2019
Hawaiian Pilot Credits Mentor for His Career Success
Mentoring can make a tremendous difference in helping young people realize their career goals. Just ask Capt. Bryan Shirota (Hawaiian), who might have chosen a different path had it not been for a career-day presentation at his high school.
April 2019
Calm Air First Officer Breaks “Ice” Ceiling: Becomes Airline's First Inuk Pilot
In the far northern reaches of Canada, you typically don’t see residents from local communities employed as a Calm Air pilot—that is, until now. Last September, F/O Jeremy Maley made history when he became the first Inuk pilot at Calm Air.
December 2018
Former Enlisted Serviceman Brings Different Perspective to Compass Cockpit
Since the beginning of commercial air travel, the armed forces have provided an ongoing source of pilot candidates to airlines. But not all of these servicemen and women have come from the military pilot ranks. Take Capt. Josh Walden (Compass), for example. Prior to flying E175s for Delta Connection and American Eagle, Walden was a helicopter mechanic in the U.S. Army.
November 2018
Through Wings Around the World, Pilot Helps Those in Need
Traveling broadens our horizons, exposing us to new cultures, environments, and—sometimes—life-changing opportunities—as has been the case for F/O Ray Scott (Delta). As the founder of Wings Around the World, Scott and his organization have been able to make a positive difference in the lives of those less fortunate.
October 2018
Spirit Pilot Shares His Passion for Salsa
While you may hear F/O Willie Morales (Spirit) on any given day broadcasting flight position over air traffic control airwaves, you’re just as likely to hear him singing salsa music on an FM radio. The Dallas, Tex.-based A320 pilot has been moonlighting for years as a professional singer and this past June produced his first-ever album, Desafiando la Gravedad (Defying Gravity).
September 2018
FedEx Pilot Wows Crowds as World-Class Aerobatic Performer
Pushing the envelope isn’t something you typically think about when briefing for a flight, but it’s frequently on the mind of Capt. William “Skip” Stewart (FedEx Express). One of today’s premier aerobatic pilots, Stewart routinely maneuvers his custom-built Pitts S-2S Prometheus well beyond the attitudes routinely encountered when flying as an air cargo pilot.
August 2018
Serving the Public, Congressman Draws from Flying Experience
Capt. Jack Bergman (Northwest, Ret.) understands the importance of giving something back. After flying as an airline pilot for three different carriers and serving as a three-star lieutenant general in the U.S. Marine Corps, he ran for and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2016. “I was raised in a family that believes in service,” he said, adding, “For me, it seemed like a transition from service in uniform to service in a suit.”
June-July 2018
FedEx Pilot Helps Provide the Gift of Sight
Miracles happen all the time. Just ask Capt. Gary Dyson (FedEx Express), who voluntarily flies and serves as chief pilot for Orbis International, a global humanitarian organization dedicated to the treatment and prevention of blindness. On Dyson’s very first trip 18 years ago, he met a blind child on a Monday who by Wednesday could see. “While this kind of experience may be routine for the doctors and nurses, it’s been life-changing not only for the patients but also for me,” acknowledged Dyson.
May 2018
Every Service Member Has Unique Story to Tell
Thousands of U.S. and Canadian men and women who serve or have served in their country’s military make up ALPA’s membership ranks—including F/O David Pond (United), ALPA’s Veterans Affairs chair. While Pond has flown for United Airlines for more than 20 years, he also served either full-time or in the reserve of the U.S. Air Force from 1985 until 2014, when he retired as a colonel. And like those thousands of other ALPA members, Pond has a unique story to tell.
April 2018
Delta Pilot Assesses Pilot Supply Concerns
Attracting and retaining future pilots isn’t just a concern for ALPA and the airline industry. The U.S. Air Force is also looking at ways it can better meet pilot staffing needs to fulfill its mission directives. Just ask F/O Jennifer Fiederer (Delta), a lieutenant colonel and citizen airman in the Air Force Reserve on leave from her airline.
March 2018
United Pilot Transports Rescue Animals in Need
Pets hold a special place in our hearts. They’re additional family members that provide us joy and comfort. Capt. Jeff Terrell (United) knows this firsthand. The owner of a Husky named Kai and a Lab named Bella, Terrell is also one of more than 5,000 pilots who in their spare time fly volunteer missions for the Pilots N Paws Pet Rescue Services.
January-February 2018
JetBlue Pilot Communicates Via Smoke Signals
A hallmark of effective communications is ensuring that the message is seen by the intended audience. So when Capt. Chris Orr (JetBlue) and the other members of his precision aerobatics team have something they want to convey, they post it in the most visible location available—the sky.
December 2017
Retired FedEx Express Pilot Promotes Project Welcome Home
If there’s one thing Capt. Joe Crecca (FedEx Express, Ret.) could point to that led to his release from the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” POW camp in Vietnam, it would be the B-52 Stratofortress. “That airplane flew the bombing missions in December 1972 that compelled the North Vietnamese to eventually sign the Paris Peace Accords,” he said. Given Crecca’s affinity for this iconic warbird, it’s no surprise that he’s one of five veterans spearheading Project Welcome Home to erect a Vietnam Air War Memorial at The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Wash.
November 2017
ExpressJet Pilot Rescues Area Residents in the Wake of Harvey
Crises often bring out the best in us, so when Hurricane Harvey battered the Houston, Tex., area with torrential rains and record flooding, rescuers like F/O Mark Crystal (ExpressJet) didn’t hesitate to step forward to offer their time and talents to help the citizens of America’s fourth-largest city.
October 2017
Air Wisconsin Pilot Commands Sea and Sky
As pilot-in-command, Capt. Bob Burgess (Air Wisconsin) wears two distinct hats. When he isn’t flying CL65s out of his home domicile in Philadelphia, Pa., Burgess is an excursion vessel captain for a company based in Minnesota.
September 2017
Pilot Creates Global Support Network
Capt. Andrea Ratfield (Delta) recognizes the value of helping others. Having been on her own since the age of 16, she knows what it’s like to need help. Whether confronting life’s challenges or simply wanting someone to bounce ideas off of, being able to access a network of peers can be invaluable. That’s the reason she and several other women established Female Aviators Sticking Together (FAST), a global community of more than 7,700 women who fly in every segment of air transportation.
August 2017
Exploring Aviation’s History: United Pilot “Enlists” for CAF Duties
Capt. Valerie Scott (United) recently began training in a PBJ-1J, the U.S. Marine version of the vintage B-25 Mitchell bomber. The Commemorative Air Force’s (CAF) Devil Dog, as the aircraft is known, is much different from the airliner she usually flies, but she took on the challenge to expand her horizons. Scott, who’ll be retiring from United in a few years, is exploring new opportunities for the next chapter of her life.
June/July 2017
Alaska Pilot Forever Changes Coworker’s Life
To say that B-737 Capt. Jodi Harskamp (Alaska) “gives of herself” is putting it lightly. On March 13, the Anchorage, Alaska-based pilot selflessly donated one of her kidneys to Jenny Stansel, an Alaska flight attendant.
May 2017
Paige’s Pilots Ride to End Diabetes
On April 25, 2011, Paige Maas, age seven, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and soon discovered she’d be spending the rest of her life meticulously managing her blood sugar level—that is unless a cure can be found. Finding that cure has become the mission of F/O Brad Maas (Delta), Paige’s dad.
April 2017
Retired Pilot Discovers He Owns a Piece of Airline History
Several years ago, lifelong general aviation enthusiast Capt. Bob Schneberger (US Airways, Ret.) purchased a vintage Stinson Reliant to enjoy in his retirement—not realizing that the aircraft (NC14163) had a “past.”
March 2017
Capt. Anthony Zerafa (Compass) understands the importance of giving back to his profession and aviation. In addition to serving as his pilot group’s Master Executive Council chairman, he’s an assistant director for the Minnesota Aviation Career Education Camp. For the last few summers, he’s spent time talking with high school students about flying and the many exciting aerospace job opportunities available.
December 2016
Around the World in 58 Days with Gina
F/O Adrian Eichhorn (JetBlue) circumnavigated the globe earlier this year—but not as an airline pilot. He accomplished the feat flying solo across five continents and more than 23,000 miles in his single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza, a 1962 P35 model nicknamed Gina. “I had no agenda, no cause,” said Eichhorn, adding, “This was a bucket-list item.”
November 2016
International airline pilots often fly “across the pond,” but few can say they’ve rowed it. That’s precisely what Capt. Laval St. Germain (Canadian North) did this past summer. Setting out from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on June 15 in his custom-built ocean-rowing vessel TrueBlue, he crossed the North Atlantic Ocean by himself.
October 2016
There’s no denying that the iconic P-51 Mustang aided the Allied Forces of World War II in establishing air supremacy. The long-range fighter’s speed and versatility led the Truman Senate War Investigating Committee in 1944 to deem it “the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence.” Capt. Larry Lumpkin (United) helps keep this celebrated warbird’s legacy alive, 70 years later, flying Gunfighter for the Commemorative Air Force (CAF).
September 2016
Air Wisconsin Pilot Balances Flight, Musical Instruments
You could say Capt. Erik Suter (Air Wisconsin) leads two lives. When he isn’t flying the CRJ200 for his airline, he’s an acclaimed organist, performing fugues and other classical compositions in beautiful cathedrals and concert halls around the world. Suter has played with the Philadelphia and National Symphony Orchestras and has appeared on the syndicated American Public Media show Pipedreams. However, his longest gig was with the Washington National Cathedral—from 1998 to 2007—where he played for both state occasions and concerts.
August 2016
'Miracle' Maker: Sun Country Pilot Pitches Ballpark For Special-Needs Kids
Ten years ago, Capt. Brian Roseen (Sun Country), his pilot group’s Master Executive Council (MEC) chairman, was playing catch with his son, Blake, at a park in Lakeville, Minn. A young boy in a wheelchair had come by and asked if he could throw the baseball with them. However, the boy was unable to maneuver the chair through the dugout door onto the field, and his wheels kept getting stuck in the surrounding sod. Discouraged, he gave up and left. Leaving the park, Blake commented, “That’s not fair.” When the two got home, they Googled “wheelchair baseball Minnesota” and up popped the Miracle League of Minnesota, a not-for-profit organization that provides opportunities for children with special needs, ages 3 to 19, to play baseball.
June/July 2016
On a sunny day in Los Angeles, Calif., 32 years ago, F/O Alonzo Babers (United) put everything he had on the line. “I remember feeling like I had a really good chance of winning,” he said, but the odds-on favorite was fellow U.S. runner Antonio McKay. At the sound of the race gun, the seven competitors burst forth with Australian Darren Clark taking and holding the lead for nearly three quarters of the race. However, Babers surged ahead during the final stretch and, with a time of 44.27 seconds, won the men’s 400 meters race at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
May 2016
Holding Office: Hawaiian Pilot Appointed State Senator
Some say the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others. For F/O Kaiali’i “Kai” Kahele (Hawaiian), that service is reflected in the career choices he’s made. When he isn’t helping airline passengers reach their destinations, Kahele flies in the defense of the country as an Air National Guard pilot. Now at the age of 42, the Hilo, Hawaii, resident has decided to pursue yet another service-oriented vocation, this time as a member of the Hawaii state senate.
April 2016
Back to School: CommutAir Pilot Teaches English to Create Job Opportunities
A chance vacation several years ago motivated Capt. Courtney Schoch (CommutAir), a Dash-8 pilot based in Newark, N.J., to make a major life change—and in doing so help enrich the lives of others.
March 2016
Flying Phenom Julie Clark’s Career Continues to Soar
Anyone remotely familiar with precision aerobatics in the North American air show circuit knows the name Julie Clark. The former Northwest Airlines A320 captain has wowed audiences with her acrobatic prowess for decades, as she meticulously flies her Smokin’ T-34 Mentor or her T-28 Trojan through carefully choreographed maneuvers. Nearly 68, the “first lady” of air shows has logged more than 33,000 hours aloft and secured ratings for 66 aircraft, all while assembling scores of accolades and hall-of-fame inductions. However, her true legacy may best be captured in the inscription of an award she received in 2012.
January-February 2016
On Oct. 25, 2015, more than 500 people huddled into the halls of the historic Buffalo Rose Saloon in Golden, Colo., to listen to live music. Two Trick Pony, the Duke Street Kings, Metro Haven, and Doc HaZe—bands that feature United pilots and other employees—graced the stage, jamming in the name of Rock United. Most importantly, proceeds from this special event, which this year totaled nearly $20,000, were donated to Pilots For Kids and the CAUSE Foundation, charities closely tied to the United Airlines community.
December 2015
Drop the Puck: Hawaiian, Virgin America Pilots Face Off
What do airline pilots and ice hockey have in common? More than you think. With a handful of former National Hockey League (NHL) players as ALPA members, it’s no surprise that teams of airline pilots gathered to face off in the first-ever Inter-ALPA Hockey Classic.
November 2015
Endeavor Air Pilot Makes His Mark in the NFL
F/O Ryan Toma (Endeavor Air) has made a name for himself in professional football—without having played even one down as a professional player. Instead, the 32-year old CRJ900 pilot moonlights as a part-time groundskeeper for the National Football League (NFL).
October 2015
Retired Spirit Pilot Receives Hall of Fame Honors
On September 29, Capt. Janis Keown-Blackburn (Spirit, Ret.) was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey at a special ceremony in Teterboro, N.J. The former A320 captain has garnered many accolades for her years of flying, but it’s also what she’s given back to the aviation community that has made her so deserving of the honors she’s received.
September 2015
Wake for Warriors: Pilot Gives Back to Wounded Vets
Combining philanthropy with a personal passion is often a combination for gratification and success. F/O Dave Deep (Delta), an avid water-sports enthusiast who divides his flying time between being an airline pilot and a reservist for the U.S. Marines, felt that he needed to do more with his life.
August 2015
Warbirds Over Washington: Arsenal of Democracy Flyover
On May 8, the 70th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day, a proud parade of World War II aircraft—the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capital Flyover—flew over the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., to cap ceremonies that honored the men and women who fought in the war and those on the home front who produced what U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt called the “arsenal of democracy” to win the war.
May 2015
Jazz Pilot Crosses the Atlantic to Help Boys in Need
You may be one person in this world, but to one person you may mean the world. That sentiment could easily apply to any one of a number of boys who live in a special youth home in the Republic of Uganda and the relationship they’ve developed with F/O Dave Piitz (Jazz Aviation). When he isn’t flying Q400 trips from his home base in Toronto, Ont., Piitz is raising funds for The Sanctuary and planning his next visit to ensure that this far-off charity receives the attention and support it deserves.
April 2015
ExpressJet Pilot Helps Brings Mars Visit a Little Closer to Reality
Cruising altitude for airline pilots can run as high as 43,000 feet, but Capt. David Witwer (ExpressJet) has had reason to tackle heights far above that. When he wasn’t navigating his way to Newark, N.J., the Houston, Tex.-based, ERJ 145 pilot was managing engineering projects for NASA. Until four years ago, Witwer’s responsibilities included support for space shuttle operations and the agency’s more recent plans for a manned mission to Mars.
January 2015
ALPA Pilot Runs to Support Wounded Warrior
There are those who choose to live with regret and those who choose to do something about it. F/O Eric Chandler (United) falls into the latter category. Between May and October 2014, the retired Air Force fighter pilot ran the entire Superior Hiking Trail, a path that extends from Duluth, Minn., north along Lake Superior’s rocky western coastline, to the Canadian border. Chandler spanned the 296-mile distance to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project, but also to address what he saw as a lost opportunity during his military service overseas.