and it makes you a better person,” said Mike Borkan, 737 keep the club’s airplanes in top form. test team lead in Renton and a private pilot, who is currently The club’s fleet also includes Piper aircraft, a Cirrus SR20, studying to earn his instrument rating with the Boeing group. as well as a float plane, an aerobatic airplane and a full-motion For married couple Glenn Dalby and Diana Klug, learning simulator. Students can become private pilots or commercial to fly was something they wanted to do together. The two pilots and obtain their instrument and multi-engine ratings at Boeing employees took advantage of the regional flying either the Renton or Paine Field airports. Cost for a private club to learn. Now they stay with the group for access to pilot’s license through the association averages just over its airplanes for short trips. $10,000—moderate compared with other flight schools in the But people take part in the association for reasons that region. Licensed pilots who are members may use the club often go much further. planes for local flying, vacation trips and personal transportation. For John Vian, Boeing Research & Technology Technical Since its inception the organization has produced not Fellow, and a dozen other member pilots who donate only general aviators but also military, airline and test pilots. time and resources, the association’s airplanes enable NASA astronaut Janet Kavandi, who worked for Com- “angel flights” that help patients who live in remote areas mercial Airplanes and later made three flights on the space get access to medical treatment. shuttle, took her solo flight with the Boeing Employees Flying And for Mike Rearick, volunteering for the association Association. John Cashman, who commanded the 777 on its is a way to keep his mechanic’s license current and help first flight in 1994, received his private and commercial license BOEING FRONTIERS / SEPTEMBER 2012 17
Frontiers September 2012 Issue
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