The Flying Musicians

“The best way to predict the future is to create it” -Abe Lincoln

Starting a career in aviation takes ambition. To get into the industry, you must be willing to shake hands, you must be willing to commit all your time, and you must to be willing to make opportunities for yourself. I started my career in aviation from a dream to fly just like everyone else. Since then my dream has turned into nothing but passion for what I do every day. Initially, I began studying how to fly from all the books and going through flight school at Barnstormers Aviation at the Oakland County International airport (PTK). The Flying Musician Association has helped like no other to get me started in an aviation career. The association has provided me with countless training materials, equipment, resources, and funds towards my flight training. Being in this association is extremely valuable to me as they enlightened this passion of spreading what I love to with others around me in the industry as well as in the organization. Along with my flight training, I study Aviation Technical Operations at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. The Technical Operations program is routed to make very well rounded and skilled A&P mechanics in our growing and demanding Industry. Thus, the program has given me such a great insight on everything that goes on in aviation and will prove to be one of the most valuable assets for my career. Being an aviation major in one of our nations greatest aviation schools provides so many great networking opportunities, benefits, and organizations. I strive to commit every minute of my schedule to any organization available such as our school’s safety committee (Collegiate ASRS), skills USA, AWAM, and many more. I take every opportunity that comes about, and I open doors to find the next opportunity to better myself in the industry. My flying status will continue with my USCG Auxiliary Air unit when I finish my training. I will take this experience with me to achieve my lifelong aviation goal of flying search and rescue with the USCG.

Among my time here on campus I have met many great friends not only through aviation, but also through my other great passion—music. Dylan Mardoian is another team member here in The Flying Musician Association with me on campus at Western. We first met each other through the Western Michigan Marching band and quickly learned our similarities through our musical passion in the trumpet line and our aviation interests. Dylan chose his route through Western Michigan’s Aviation Flight Science program, a program that trains directly to route pilots into the airlines. In Dylan’s time here, he continues to impress us by networking into every available opportunity and making those new doors available for himself to grow. He is currently working on his training with Kal-Aero Flight instruction at the Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport (AZO). Dylan is a Student Ambassador and spokesperson for the Western Michigan Aviation program and travels to network with flight departments: Amway, Northern Jet, Steelcase, and Southwest Airlines. Dylan is striving to take his experience into a career in corporate aviation. Our ambitious goals will prove successful in the upcoming years as we continue to dedicate our time, shake hands, and make opportunities for ourselves. The best way to predict our future has already been established in our first year here in aviation.