There is life beyond aviation
On 18/03/2011, in Interesting people, by steve
It is often said that aviation is a bug… once you get it, there is no cure. Of course those of us who have been bitten by this particular bug do not really mind and bear the consequences happily. The momentum often takes us further down the well trodden path even after retirement… A lucky few will however finally have the time to realize projects, even dreams that had to take second place while they were fully committed to aviation’s demands.
One of those lucky individuals is Mike Russo. Mike retired from ARINC after a life-time of engineering work that demanded as much knowledge of and sensitivity for the human aspects of aviation as it did for radars and other electronic wizardry.
He moved to Florida and loves it there, not least because of the weather. While temperatures can and do drop below freezing even in the Sunshine State, there is no snow and the cold spells tend to be short lived.
Mike’s particular dream has been to work with horses and he is now realizing this with dedication. He is practicing the Parelli technique of natural horsemanship. If you are interested, check out Pat Parelli’s videos here. But more to the point, click here to watch a Clint Anderson demo of what Mike is up to with his horses.
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Interesting people, unusual flight plans…
On 11/03/2011, in Interesting people, by steve
David Allen – Raised in an aviation family in an aviation town
Dave was Chief Engineer, Crew Information Systems at Boeing
What were you dreaming of becoming when you were a kid?
I was raised in an aviation family in an aviation town. I was born and raised for 16 years in Wichita, Kansas. My father was an Industrial Engineer for Boeing, one uncle was a factory manager for Boeing in Philadelphia (previously a P-40 pilot during WWII), another uncle was a Boeing purchasing agent, and another uncle was a B-25 mechanic during WWI. So, I was raised listening to how airplanes were built at the dinner table. I remember going to the Wichita airport when I was around 10 to see my dad off on a trip to Seattle. I got to meet Bill Allen in the airport. So I have always been around aviation whilst growing up. We moved to Seattle for 10 months while my father worked on the TFX program (became the F-111, which Boeing lost). In 1968, we moved to Seattle where he became Director of Industrial Engineering for the new 737.
I digress some here. As I was growing up, my mother always brought up a complaint about one trip my father took right after my little sister was born. He was sent to Seattle for one week. That turned into two weeks, and slowing turned into 6 weeks. I listened to this many times over the years. A couple of years ago, after my mother brought it up again, my Dad asked me if I knew what he did during that time. He was sent up to do an analysis of the Renton plant to figure out how they would build the 737. After a week, he told the VP that there was not enough factory floor space to build the 737. That caused a great panic and he brought some other folks from Wichita. They figured out how to build the fuselage in Wichita and send it by train to Renton. They developed the complete plan and gained approval in that six weeks. Pretty amazing.
However, like most kids, I had no real career plans other than going to college.
If it was not aviation, what moved you to become part of the aviation family?
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Interesting people, unusual flight plans…
On 25/02/2011, in Interesting people, by steve
Eric Platteau – A gourmand communicator
Eric is the communications chief of the SESAR Joint Undertaking
What were you dreaming of becoming when you were a kid?
I wanted to become a cook, a chef. I am quite a gourmet and greedy. It is also linked to a family habit of long and friendly family dinners. Everyone was and is still cooking in my family: grand-mothers, father, mother, sister, brother in law, etc. I was surrounded by gourmets! My specialty as Belgian is of course Chocolate cakes…
If it was not aviation, what moved you to become part of the aviation family?
A total coincidence. During my studies, I had to make a traineeship in a company and I managed to get a 6 weeks traineeship in the press office of SABENA, the former Belgian national airline. When I finished my studies in 1995, my ‘previous boss’ informed me that they were recruiting a French-speaking press officer. I was not totally interested as I wanted to go abroad to improve my language skills but I registered to do the recruitment tests. I thought that it was a good exercise for me as a fresh graduat. After the 3 rounds of tests, I was selected… and decided to join Sabena! Spokesman at 23 years old of a 12.000 employees company was an amazing challenge as you can imagine.
What were the most significant sideways jumps in your professional life?
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Who is the winner of the 2010 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy?
On 08/01/2011, in Interesting people, by steve
Charles Lindbergh, Igor Sikorsky, Juan Trippe, John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Harrison Ford…
What is common to all these names? Well, all those gentlemen were winners of the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy.
What is not common to all these names? Except one they were all iconic figures in aeronautics or astronautics… and of course only one of them is a movie star.
By now you will have guessed. The winner of the 2010 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy is Harrison Ford, of Indiana Jones fame.
The trophy was established by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) in 1948 to honor the memory of Orville and Wilbur Wright. The trophy is awarded annually to a living American for “significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States.”
The award is made possible by a trust fund established in 1936 by Godfrey Lowell Cabot of Boston, a former president of NAA. The first trophy was awarded to William Frederick Durand for his many accomplishments including developing the basic theories for aircraft propeller design and acting as a primary force in the establishment of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.
Ford started flying only at age 52 and he has now a license for both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. Aviation has become a real passion for him. He was awarded the trophy for his contribution to aviation in part as chair of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s “Young Eagles” where he led an effort to get 500 000 children aged between 8 and 17 into the cockpit of a light aircraft and generally educating them about aviation. He also flew his Cessna Caravan to Haiti hauling relief supplies after the catastrophic earthquake. He also transported athletes to the Special Olympics in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Well, what else would you expect from someone who has played Indiana Jones with such relish?
Getting Knighted for merits in navigation -Theo van de Ven
On 25/11/2010, in Interesting people, by steve
Those who have met Theo van de Ven of KLM will remember him as a gentle guy who nevertheless knows full well what he is about. Always ready to help and to explain things he is the ultimate teacher who is always remembered by his pupils and colleagues alike.
He is currently working at KLM’s ATM Strategy and Charges department which is a part of Flight Ops in Amsterdam.
18 November Theo was giving a presentation to the CROS (Schiphol Regional Coordination Commission) and when he finished, to his huge surprised, the Mayor of Haarlemmermeer, acting on behalf of the Queen, elevated him to the title of Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau. He was awarded this honor for his extraordinary contribution to the progress of aeronautical navigation.
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Interesting people, unusual flight plans…
On 21/09/2010, in Interesting people, by steve
Marissa Colclasure – The sky is not the limit, it is the beginning
Marissa is a mom, pilot, sky-diver and co-founder of Wings over Hawaii
What were you dreaming of becoming when you were a kid?
I dreamt of flying. In some form or fashion. I’ve never said I wanted to fly for the airlines or flight instruct , just I wanted to be happy flying.
What moved you to become part of the aviation family?
Oh I was bit from the bug early on, my father was a pilot. He was one of those dads that had 5 odd ball jobs to support my mom being a stay at home mom of five kids. I am the second in the lineup. I would tag along to anywhere my dad would go. Especially the airport. He was a flight instructor and jump pilot.
What were the most significant sideways jumps in your professional life?
Sideways jumps would have to be my pin pong like career. I know a little about a lot in aviation. FBOs, corporate flying , airline dispatcher, flight instructor, jump pilot, international trip planner I’ve sought out a lot of different jobs, just to know, and learn. What has brought me back to the beginning is that while I could do quite well at those things, there was always something more to my being.
What were the most significant event(s) that influenced your professional life?
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Interesting people, unusual flight plans…
On 29/06/2010, in Interesting people, by steve
Mike Russo, take 2
Not long after we published the interview with Mike Russo in the “Interesting people, unusual flight plans” series, Mike was presented with a 2010 Volare Special Award by the Airlines Avionics Institute (AAI) at the 2010 AMC/AEEC.
Mike with Daphne and Dawn
Each year, AAI encourages the contribution of ideas, leadership and innovation by allowing individuals to be nominated for Volare Awards prior to the annual AMC. These awards recognize individuals in airline and supplier organizations for outstanding personal achievement. The criteria for nomination are:
The candidate should be well known within the industry and should have a history of actual industry improvement and/or active involvement in a recognizable category such as but not limited to the following examples:
a) New products
b) Better methodologies
c) Working in various technical committees
d) New technologies
e) Be the industry “go to” person for particular products or services
f) Have a history of outstanding service to their customers
g) Have personally served our industry in some contributing capacity for example by active involvement in its organizations, activities and/or functions
The AAI process requires that the nomination be seconded before it is considered by their awards committee.
The Volare Award has become world-renowned as the avionics industry’s highest recognition for individual achievement. The Awards offered at the AMC allow individuals to be nominated in the categories of Airline Avionics Maintenance and Avionics Product Support. In addition, AAI presents a Pioneer Award and a Chairman’s Special Award on an as deserved basis.
Over the past 41 years, Volare Awards have been presented to outstanding members of the avionics maintenance community and it is with pleasure that we at Roger-Wilco announce that Mike has now joined their ranks.
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Interesting people, unusual flight plans…
On 26/03/2010, in Interesting people, by steve
Christophe Hamel – Always listen to the inner voice!
After many years in aviation, Christophe is also an entrepreneur in the wellness and lighting industries.
What were you dreaming of becoming when you were a kid?
I was thinking of becoming a pilot and at age 15 or so, of being the owner of a night club or a recording studio: I am passionate about sound and music. But my real passion has always been designing things, you know, creating something new, whether, a lamp design, new sound equipment, new way of managing major programs, new strategies in the CNS/ATM area, new technologies, making something new that was never seen before.
What moved you to become part of the aviation family?
My dad was a geologist and he had to travel far and wide, as people of his profession do. On one occasion, the plane he was on had to make an emergency landing in the Sahara and they waited 3 days to be rescued. From then on he was really terrified of flying but his interest in the development of aviation and in particular the creation of l’Aeropostale remained. He read everything he could find about Saint-Exupery, Mermoz, Gullaumet and of course he told us all about those great aviators and this left a deep impression in me. This connection to l’Aeropostale stayed with me also a little… I delivered their first 737-300 cargo aircraft!
When I got my electronic and computer engineering degree I went to work in industry but soon after specialized in aeronautical engineering sealing my fate… I finally got an FAA private pilot license in 2005.
What were the most significant sideways jumps in your professional life?
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Interesting people, unusual flight plans…
On 03/03/2010, in Interesting people, by steve
Mike Russo – Looking back on a lifetime in aviation
Mike, lead principal engineer and Executive Secretary of the AEEC has recently retired from Aeronautical Radio Incorporated (ARINC).
What were you dreaming of becoming when you were a kid?
I grew up in a rural family with limited means and there were not that many people around me who could have served as examples for choosing a profession. But I did want to find a respected profession, doing respected work. At one point I took an aptitude test and it showed that I would make a good mechanical engineer. My focus from then on was on science subjects. An uncle was a tool and die maker and I got a lot of support from him.
What moved you to become part of the aviation family?
I went to Lake Michigan Community College for an associates degree as a technician and then Michigan Technological University where I got my Bachelor’s Degree… Afterwards I got a job with Westinghouse and in 1971 they sent me to the FAA Academy to learn about the principles of ILS. On my return, I worked on various ILS projects including ground site design and field work for ILS installations including flight testing with the FAA.
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Interesting people, unusual flight plans…
On 05/02/2010, in Interesting people, by steve
Noemi Kral – “Strive to feel, think and do, so as to bring something good to all”
Noemi is an airport expert at Slot Consulting Ltd., in Budapest
What were you dreaming of becoming when you were a kid?
I hope this is not too disappointing but it was not aviation at all… I was reading books from Gerard Durrell and was fascinated by the way he described the world of plants and animals. Later in secondary school I was attracted to tourism and the work of tourist guides but there were still no aircraft on the horizon.
What moved you to become part of the aviation family?
You might say it was a coincidence really. When I was looking for a University to continue my studies after secondary school, I found a description of air traffic control and this sounded really interesting. Subsequently I enrolled at the Budapest Technical University and some time later also took up hang gliding. The flying world was becoming more interesting every day…
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Interesting people, unusual flight plans…
On 22/01/2010, in Interesting people, by steve
Guenter Martis – The humanist among us
Guenter is Director of European Affairs at CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation)
What were you dreaming of becoming when you were a kid?
I wanted to become an inventor, like Marconi. I wanted to invent things with which I could contribute to the well being of mankind. In more concrete terms I wanted to be a communications officer on a big ocean liner. No ideas about airplanes back then.
So what made you become a member of the aviation family after all?
The actual trigger was a job opportunity at Austrian Airlines but the main driver was something else. I hated the idea of becoming electrical engineer number xyz in a big company. I wanted to be different and the airline job seemed to offer that chance.
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Interesting people, unusual flight plans…
On 09/01/2010, in Interesting people, by steve
Kathleen O’Brien – Houston we have a problem…
Kathleen O’Brien is an Associate Technical Fellow with Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Seattle.
What were you dreaming of becoming when you were a kid?
I loved to read and becoming a librarian looked like a good choice. You know how it is, little girls did not have that many options to choose from.
What moved you to become part of the aviation family?
I went to Houston with my husband at the time and graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Unfortunately I found Houston a horrible place and wanted to get out at any cost. I was really desperate and would have taken just about any job that helped me to escape. As it happened, Boeing had an opening and they hired me.
What were the most significant sideways jumps in your professional life?
I have been with Boeing all my working life but inside the company I had a few moves right and left that qualify.
I started as a design engineer on the 777 and when the plane was ready things were a bit slow for a while until I moved into CNS/ATM. This was more avionics related and I was able to get the bigger picture… On the 777 I was dealing with the landing gear, brakes, tire pressures… it was just a piece of the overall product. In CNS/ATM a whole new world opened up for me.
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Interesting people, unusual flight plans…
On 15/12/2009, in Interesting people, by steve
Patrick Ky – From Wissous to the helm of SESAR
Patrick Ky is the Executive Director of the SESAR Joint Undertaking.
What were you dreaming of becoming when you were a kid?
At first I was dreaming of becoming a football star! In time this changed to pilot… I wanted to be a commercial pilot. We were living in a small place called Wissous, not far from Orly airport in France and I remember going out there at least once a week to watch the planes come and go.
Come to think of it, I remember always having wanted to work with aircraft but flying them was more a kid’s initial fancy. For me the knowledge of how they worked, how they were built, what made them fly in the first place was more exciting than the left seat. It was learning about the technical and engineering aspects that really made my heart beat faster…
I did get a VFR pilot’s license but flying was not the thrill I was expecting. As a student pilot I was very impressed by air traffic control, how they gave you instructions, how they helped you back when you strayed… Actually it was a rather stressful experience and I had to admit to myself that the engineering side of things was more for me.
Wissous is really near Orly...
What were the most significant sideways jumps in your professional life?
Although I have worked in aviation all my life, there were curious sideways moves nevertheless.
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Interesting people, unusual flight plans…
On 10/12/2009, in Interesting people, by steve
Anna Kurlanc – Brace for impact!
Anna Kurlanc is currently an R&D engineer at the Dutch Aerospace Laboratory (NLR) Air Transport Safety Institute (ATSI)
What were you dreaming of becoming when you were a kid?
This may sound strange, but aviation was never on my mind back then… Architect, journalist and press photographer were the vocations that seemed the most attractive. But truth be told, I did not have any specific direction, just went from one thing to the next. I did like geography but aviation was never on the list.
What moved you to become part of the aviation family?
It was pure coincidence. I was not sure what to do and was about to start attending university taking journalism and geology when I heard about the new aviation faculty at the Polish military academy. My uncle was an air traffic controller and on impulse I decided to follow in his footsteps. Although medical reasons prevented me from obtaining an ATC license, I did discover at the academy that aviation was about more than pilots and controllers.
I was especially attracted to instrument procedure design and I became a designer myself after a stint at ENAC in Toulouse.
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Interesting people, unusual flight plans…
On 11/11/2009, in Interesting people, by steve
Paul Hopff – The winding road to Belgocontrol
What were you dreaming of becoming when you were a kid?
Until about age 6, I was determined to become a railroad station master, you know the guy with the red cap. But then the aviation bug bit and I never recovered…
What moved you to become a part of the aviation family?
As I said, in primary school already I felt this attraction and I remember urging my class mates that they also should think of nothing but airplanes. This interest was most likely triggered by the numerous aircraft passing overhead our house.
What were the most significant sideways jumps in your professional life?
Strangely enough, despite my attraction to aviation, I started my career in the telecoms industry at Bell Telephone Mfg Co at Antwerp. That was back in 1978, and telecom was the future in those years.
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Interesting people, unusual flight plans… (irregular edition)
On 27/10/2009, in Interesting people, by steve
Steve – the college drop-out
Yours truly...
When making the interviews for this series of articles I was asked a few times: How did you become an air traffic controller? Although I invented the series to talk about others, I will allow a small break now and tell you a part of my story…
Frightening second flight
My dad traveled a lot and he brought home all kinds of aviation bits and pieces. Maps, postcards with aircraft, time-tables and what have you. I loved to look at those things and dream about visiting all the nice places they came from. I think the longing to travel and the attraction to flying machines came to the surface at about the same time.
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Interesting people, unusual flight plans…
On 21/10/2009, in Interesting people, by steve
Istvan Bozsa – forever controller
What were you dreaming of becoming when you were a kid?
We lived near the airport and I was dreaming of becoming a pilot from very early on. I remember how we took the bike to ride all the way to the perimeter fence and watch the planes for hours on end. I must admit that we also stopped to watch the trains at the railway crossing but the planes were the main attraction.
Traditionally there is an air-show on 20 August in Budapest and watching it I felt this incredible pull and attraction… I wanted to be part of it all; I wanted to be a pilot.
I think my son has inherited this weakness… he has his PPL already (and an Aeronautic MEng).
How did you then actually become part of the ATC family?
Ice cream… it was the ice cream! At the time one of the best pastry shops in downtown Budapest had a satellite unit at the airport. The mother shop’s name was Honey Bear and the one at the airport was simply the Bear… They had the best parfait this side of the Solar system and we went there regularly to load up on that thing, teeth be damned.
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Interesting people, unusual flight plans…
On 04/10/2009, in Interesting people, by steve
Rob Mead – Long-way turn from Yellowstone to Seattle
I put passion into
everything I did...
What were you dreaming of becoming when you were a kid?
Actually… I did not dream of anything in particular. I put passion into everything I did, wanted to be good in what I did… I always felt that life was going in a good direction and I just went with it.
What made you become part of the aviation family?
The blame for that goes to the US Air Force. By pure chance I ended up flying in the back of RC135s and never looked back since. I knew right from the start that flying was the pladce to be for me. Still feel the same way.
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Interesting people, unusual flight plans…
On 27/09/2009, in Interesting people, by steve
Jozsef Torocsik – the first Hungarian at EUROCONTROL
What were you dreaming of becoming when you were a kid?
I could boast and say that I have always wanted to be an air traffic controller… but it would be a lie. I remember having admired airplanes and airports from around age 6 but my early dream was to become an archeologist. When I first got the aviation bug, I wanted to be a pilot… even more than an archeologist.
What moved you to become part of the air traffic control family?
My attraction to aviation lasted longer than that for archeology and initially I was building model airplanes. Then one day, after a model airplane competition which as usual I did not win, I cranked up my courage and approached the pilots of the sailplanes parked on the grass of the airport where the event was being held. I was really charmed by their friendliness (the first taste of the family feeling) and soon I was contemplating how to break the news to my folks at home that I will be a soaring pilot.
Then tragedy struck… I was told after a routine ophthalmologist visit that I would need to wear eye glasses for the rest of my life.
That girls will not like me and my glasses was the second thought that came into my mind. The first one brought tears. I will never be a pilot. People with glasses were excluded even from training in those days…
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