Meet Donald Turner - US 1 Graduate of WMU's Aviation Program

Published by Tom Thinnes on Thu, Feb 28, 2013

Donald was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up in Houston, Texas. He knew he wanted to be in aviation since he was 6 years old. He graduated from Williwridge High School in Missouri City, Texas, a suburb of Houston.  Donald attended Texas Southern University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management in 1999.

In 2000, Donald was selected to be a part of the first group of students

to endure the tough 18 month flight program.  He relocated to Michigan to pursue his dream, leaving his wife and children in Texas. His favorite memory flying at Western Michigan University was when his wife visited him in July, 2001 and she had the “ah ha” moment, seeing first-hand what he was learning and why.

Donald received his certificates right after 9/11, and was forced to teach math while working in a dispatch office- flying whenever he could. In 2004, he was hired as a First Officer with Continental Express and in 2006 was hired by Continental. Today, Donald flies as a First Officer with Continental/United on the Boeing 757 and 767.