Aviation - Student Profile - Travis Pollock

Travis Pollock
Freshman, Aviation
Richmond, Texas

What drew you to Hesston College?
AOPA magazine and the great people here who made me feel so welcome.

How soon after you arrived did you take your first flight? How much do you fly each week?
The first week I was here was called Fly Larks Week, a new program they were trying for the freshman who signed up for aviation—it was a sort of introduction to get us going. That week was pretty intense but well worth it. The weather at the beginning of that first week wasn’t adequate for us to fly, but towards the end it got better and allowed us to fly. I’d say it was the fourth day I was up here that I got to fly. The second week and the months to follow, I flew more than I could believe. I flew everyday until we got to the cross country stages of private. To say the least I was pretty spoiled after that. I’m now in Instrument and I’m not flying as much. It’s more book work and simulator time than flying right now.

How challenging are the academics at Hesston? What is it like to balance flying with other classes?
The classes are great! Or at least first semester they were. Biblical Literature is giving me a work out. It’s making it really hard for me to study as much as I would like to in aviation, but I make it happen somehow.

What is your favorite aviation course? Why is it your favorite?
Favorite aviation course...I’d say Instrument so far because it takes a lot of concentration and it’s not easy. That’s what makes it so great, the challenge! I’m really looking forward to working on my Certified Flight Instructor and Certified Flight Instructor Instrument license. I can’t wait to teach others!

What are your flight instructors like?
My flight instructors are GREAT! They are always willing to take extra time out of their schedules to help you understand something.

What are some of your most memorable moments as a student at Hesston?
The time I grew facial hair!!! Oh, and when I got my private pilot license.

What are your plans for after Hesston?
Well that’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot. More and more opportunities have been coming to my attention and its pretty mind boggling. After Hesston I plan on going to another college to finish my four-year degree and then I hope to come back here to Hesston as a flight instructor. If not I’ll just join the airlines right after college, if possible.