Explorers consider aviation options
Black Swamp Council’s Aviation Explorers kicked off their 2020 season at the Neil Armstrong Airport this month.
Assistant Scout Executive Colin Earl said it is their opportunity to be inquisitive and careerdriven with similar programs in law enforcement and engineering also available to those exploring careers. Earl himself has a pilot’s license and said there are aa variety of career opportunities in aviation.
Explorers heard from Pipeline Patrol Pilot Pete Hessedal, a pilot who flies gas lines and checks for encroachment and possible leaks. He also monitors excavation activities near those lines.
Hessedal said he wasn’t a pilot right away but transitioned after being a project manager.
“You really have to show your dedication; you have to pay your dues,” he said.
Those dues come in the form of flight hours. The pilot gave some real- life experiences for the Scouts to consider.
He said some flight jobs increase their hour requirements because they don’t want newer pilots using that employment to just build time and then leave.
Hessedal flies a Cessna 177 Cardinal and said he always brings as much fuel as he can as long as the weight and balance works out.
He said weather plays a big factor in flying. He said sometimes he thinks he is able to get through weather and ends up having to back track several miles to avoid it. Hessedal also said he has to pay attention while flying at low altitudes. He said pilots should allow time to be able to land if there is an engine problem.
Hessedal’s route takes him from Minneapolis through Chicago to southern Indiana, over the Indianapolis Speedway, to Pittsburgh and from there to the Lima area, before making his way
back.
Airport Manager Ted Bergstrom, who leads the aviation post, was looking at options for having nine meetings during the 2020- 2021 year, although he said it would be difficult with COVID19. He is looking for speakers for this session, perhaps an aviation mechanic or a representative from a college affiliated with a similar program to speak at one of their meetings.
Holden Holtevert, 16, of Coldwater said he was interested in learning about aircraft maintenance.
Ethan Kemper, 14, of Chickasaw said he wanted to be a pilot for a long time.