Class of 2003
Dundee, Ohio
I learned to fly at Hesston College, but I also learned so much more that has prepared me for my current job far away from Hesston, Kansas, and my Ohio hometown of Dundee.
I've been flying for Air Serv International in
Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo since December 2005. Air Serv International provides flights for non-governmental organizations such as Doctors Without Borders and the United Nations refugee agency. Planes take personnel, food, and medicine to people needing emergency aid and transport badly injured people to hospitals. I’ve been flying as a captain on a King Air 200 since February 2007. With no flight service, radar coverage, or weather reports, we rely heavily on our basic skills as pilots and our decision-making skills. During my two years at Hesston College, I learned to be creative and to think in a calm manner—abilities I put to use frequently as I deal not only with challenging flying conditions, but also with bureaucratic situations most people twice my age have never had to face.
I heard about Air Serv when I was a student at Hesston College. After a year as a flight instructor for the college and another year working in Smoketown, Pa., I felt ready for an overseas experience. I still have to pinch myself sometimes when I realize I’m in Africa living my dream. I have the opportunity to travel all over the world, learn about other cultures, do humanitarian work, and let people see Christianity by the attitude I have and the work I do. My dream was to have a life changing experience and so far it has been everything I expected it to be.
Hesston College Aviation
Steve's blog