Introduction Blog -- Caleb Krueger

Personal Introduction

I began pursuing my education in aviation in the summer of 2013 when I visited a local airport where I took my first introductory flight lesson. I was quick to realize after that first lesson that flying was something I was set on doing as a career. I have always shown interest in aviation, but it wasn't until that first introductory flight that I started looking for the closest aviation colleges near me.

Now, as a senior at Eastern Michigan University with a major in Aviation Flight Technology, I have earned both a private pilot certificate and an instrument rating. Currently I am training for my commercial pilot's certificate and will thereafter pursue a certified flight instructor's certificate. I have plans on graduating in the Spring of 2017 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Aviation Flight Technology.

Upon graduation, I plan to work as a flight instructor as a means to build flight time towards meeting the minimum flight experience that most regional airlines require before they can begin the pilot hiring process. As of now, I am aiming for employment at a Detroit based airline called Endeavor Air. The first year pay is very fair for First Officers and their advertised Delta Air Lines future employment opportunities seem to be very exclusive. After gaining several years of valuable experience as an airline pilot with Endeavor Air, and hopefully some captain experience as well, I plan on eventually flying and retiring with Delta Air Lines.

One specific area that I would like to learn more about this semester would be the work that the Air Line Pilot's Associate does within the airline industry. I would be interested in learning about where and how these pilot representatives help make life easier for the many airline pilots flying today. I feel that most of the students in class, including myself, would have a lot to learn from an ALPA representative.

As for current aviation topics floating around the industry today, I would like to learn more about current and future-theoretical plans for UAS in the national airspace system. I think it would be a good idea for the class to research the potential pros and cons of allowing multiple UAS to operate regularly in and out of controlled airspace.

Another topic I would like to dive into, is the the process of certifying and operating commercial space flight for the benefit of the general public. With several private companies having already begun flight tests for certain commercial space operations, I think it's imperative that the class look at the positive and negative repercussions that commercial space flight could have on all other sectors of the aviation industry.


Thank you.
Caleb Krueger