Interviews

Mr. Hamrick holds the callsign “Bodacious,” which says a lot about his character. As a leader in the U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program (popularly known as TOPGUN), he flies the exact iconic F/A-18E Super Hornet featured in the movie Top Gun: Maverick, almost daily, while also operating the F-16.

Summary: 

Mr. Hamrick came from a background with little exposure to aviation. Still, he thought it would be cool to fly airplanes. Now, ten years into his U.S. Navy service, he holds a top position in the renowned TOPGUN program. In TOPGUN, character is a key factor in the application process, often even more important than skill. Can you handle the repeated strain on your body? The pressure to perform? Your character answers these questions. Merit in the Navy is not measured solely by expertise. The ability to be coachable, to improve, and to motivate yourself and others is what truly shapes leaders in aviation, leaders like Mr. Hamrick. The emphasis on character over current skill is a deciding factor not only in aviation but in many other professions as well. Mr. Hamrick’s transparent insight into aviation as a career compared to other fields was inspiring to hear. He acknowledges that aviation is not for everyone, but if you have an interest and discover a love for the cockpit, it can be one of the most rewarding professions out there. It is worth a shot, and if it works out, you will not imagine yourself doing anything else.

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Mr. Simonsen served in the U.S. Navy as an F/A-18E Super Hornet pilot, including a three-year tour as a Blue Angels pilot. He completed seven deployments around the world, flew combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and had 570 arrested landings on board multiple aircraft carriers.

Summary: 

Mr. Simonsen emphasized the importance of always putting yourself forward in everything you do, whether aviation-related or not, as the actions you take today have a profound impact on your future, even if it may not seem like it. Surround yourself with good people, grow together, and keep out of mischief. Decisions you make now impact your trajectory later. There is more to aviation than what meets the eye. For all the athletes out there, Mr. Simonsen’s athletic background greatly benefited him during his time with the Blue Angels, as staying fit was essential for both himself and his crew when pushing the human body to its limits. Another key factor that held his team together was trust, and that bond was put to the test during Mr. Simonsen’s time with the Blue Angels.

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Mr. Blanton found himself working as a mechanic in the Marine Corps, fresh out of high school, when one day he thought, “Hey, airplanes are pretty cool,” and never looked back. After 20 years in the military and countless hours of hard work, he has now achieved his dream of becoming a captain with United Airlines.

Summary: 

Mr. Blanton developed a deep passion for his occupation, and he takes great pride in his work with United. He specifically mentioned that he understands how exclusive flying can be for many people, and being able to provide those few flights a year for passengers holds great significance for him. Aviation is a very rewarding career, but not without its risks. "Nothing is all cupcakes and rainbows." There are rough moments, but you aren’t alone. Especially at United, there are great people who share the same love of flying, and those colleagues, along with your family, are the right people to have around you. We also touched on the future of aviation, acknowledging the advancements in automated transportation and the differing public perceptions across generations. Despite these innovations, the operations of a commercial flight still depend on a multi-person model, and it may remain that way longer than many people expect. AI can only do so much in the cockpit today. At this stage of artificial intelligence, human creativity in aerospace design cannot be replaced. The quick, split-second decisions pilots make in the cockpit are challenging to replicate by machines. We still need human intellect in these areas, which translates to a strong, ongoing need for aviation professionals in the near future. 

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Mr. Stiles began his career as a U.S. Air Force pilot, operating the C-21A Learjet variant. He also trained new Air Force pilots on the T-38 Talon. He later flew the Boeing 727, DC-10, and MD-11 for FedEx. Throughout his aviation career, he has also flown a variety of general aviation aircraft.

Summary: 

With the experience Mr. Stiles has gained across many different aircraft and operations, his insight into the evolution of aviation from his training days to today is truly fascinating. The increasingly advanced avionics and navigation systems in modern cockpits are particularly noteworthy, as they have become standard in aircraft. Throughout our conversation, Mr. Stiles, speaking from his perspectives as a pilot, flight engineer, and instructor, shared many of his aviation experiences while emphasizing the importance of always being prepared, staying out of trouble, and staying sharp. He also reflected on how his years in school, including college, greatly benefited him, as his education helped lay the foundation for a successful aviation career. 

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