Hesston College Aviation program director Dan Miller (right) and flight instructor Travis Pickerill (center) get maintenance tips about the college’s new Redbird MCX C182 G1000 GFC700 flight simulator from Redbird Services, Inc. Installation Manager Jeff Matthyssen. The simulator was purchased with assistance from an anonymous gift given in honor of 1973 Hesston alumnus Wilbur Bontrager, Middlebury, Ind.

Air Traffic Control graduate Heather Harkins (Wichita, Kan.) receives congratulations from the aviation department faculty and staff at a reception honoring aviation graduates studying both flight and air traffic control.

Adam Heisey, a freshman in Hesston College’s aviation program, earned his private pilot license Feb. 26.

Tyler Beachy, a freshman in Hesston College’s aviation program, earned his private pilot license Feb. 17.

Amy Birdsell (right) talks with (from left) Dr. Sandra Zerger, vice president of Academics; Sandy Toews, Aviation staff; and former President Laban Peachey during Homecoming 2011.

A career path wasn’t the only thing Dorine started at Hesston. It is also where she met her husband, Hudson Fahnestock ’90. Dorine and Hudson have a son, Cael, who is 10, and a daughter, Cilja, who is 7. Courtesy photo.

Jason Miller ’92 had aspirations of being a pilot from a young age. He is pictured at age 6 (left) with his younger brother, Reggie.

A panel of speakers presented the story of the start of the Hesston College Aviation program during the aviation symposium. The program has grown over 41 years to 45 enrolled students, including 12 students studying Air Traffic Control. The department has a fleet of five airplanes and two simulators. Pictured are Dr. Sandra Zerger, vice president of academics; Laban Peachey, former Hesston College president; and former Aviation directors Jacob Friesen, Dave Forrer and Wendell Sauder ’75.

Former President Laban Peachey (1968 to 1980) and President Howard Keim pose with the Hesston College airplane with the radio call numbers in honor of President Peachey. Each of the college’s five planes’ call numbers includes the inauguration year of one of the presidents.

A Hesston College airplane, flown by instructor Travis Pickerill ’99, prepares to land north of town on Old Highway 81. The plane was displayed on campus over the weekend.

Heather Harkins ’12, an air traffic control student from Wichita, Kan., listens to a symposium presentation.

Dr. Loren Groff found a start at Hesston that propelled him to a top position in the aviation safety industry.

Hesston College sophomore Kush Lengacher prepares a plane for flight.