In 2014, Mike and his wife, Lynn, attended their first Dream Flight event in Oregon and later that year in Scottsdale, Arizona. After joining Dream Flights Founder Darryl Fisher on a short tour from Yuma, Arizona through California and on to Reno, Nevada, he was hooked. He trained in a Citabria and Stearmans that winter and he and Lynn flew in their first Dream Flight Tour in April 2015. Seven years!

When did you start flying?

I started flying while in high school to gain some experience with airplanes, then went on to school and received my FAA Airframe & Powerplant Mechanics License. After deciding it was a lot more fun to “fly ‘em than fix ‘em,” I continued on to college and obtained my various pilot licenses while enrolled in Agricultural Aviation.

From there I went on to instruct flying and then conduct charter flights. During that time I was very fortunate to partake in some of my life’s most enjoyable flying, in the floatplanes and ski planes of Northern Minnesota. I was then hired by a small commuter airline, Simmons Airlines which later was purchased by American Airlines and became American Eagle in Chicago.  

After three years there I went on to America West Airlines and through a series of mergers once again found myself employed by American Airlines…with my original employee number from when I was with American Eagle!  

Now I’m flying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to international destinations for American Airlines!  Far too rapidly approaching mandatory age 65 retirement I hope to “return to my roots” and continue the adventure of flying float planes and ski planes in Alaska, leaving the many days away from home and airline meals to the younger generations.

Q: What State do you live in?

A: Arizona

Q: How did you get involved with Dream Flights?

My wife Lynn and I had reached a point in our lives where we wanted to “give back”.  We had been very fortunate throughout our lives raising three beautiful young ladies but were now “empty nesters”.  We had considered various outlets for our enthusiasm, but nothing seemed quite right. With our two entirely different career paths and interests, mine as a pilot and Lynn’s as a Director of Nursing at a skilled-care facility we knew we had found a home when we discovered Dream Flights!

Q: What keeps you continuing to volunteer?

A: The Stearman is fun…for maybe two hours!  After that, you begin to doubt your sanity and wonder what you thought was so fun with the heat, cold, noise, vibration, wind, sun, turbulence, and long hours!  So it’s definitely not the airplane and it definitely is the people!  The incredible stories we hear, the smiles, the laughs and even the tears. Also, the definite feeling of camaraderie as the airport staff and numerous volunteers and participants all work toward one goal for the Dream Flyers… making this the best day of the rest of their lives.