Published by Tom Thinnes on Thu, Jun 27, 2013
Growing up in Woodhaven, MI, Dan Homolek is “not quite sure” how his interest in aviation began. “If you ask my parents, they’ll tell you I loved airplanes from the age of 2.” Searching through the cloudy memories, Dan remembers knowing by 7th grade he wanted to fly as a career. Not that the career was always his first choice. He initially went through typical elementary career wishes: being a police officer was high on his list. However, in the back of his mind was always this fascination with aircraft. No worries he thought, “I can be a police officer who flies for a hobby.” Sometime during the middle of his foray into middle school, he had an epiphany: What if he was able to turn a hobby into a career? For Dan, the journey began at that point.
Much like many kids who passionately want something, Dan went after his dream with a vengeance. The cost to fly was expensive, and for most children in their early teens, out of reach. However, Dan’s passion was not going to be hindered by anything. As a 13 year old, Dan did what most kids wouldn’t – he went out and got a job! Busting suds part time at a local restaurant, Dan became a dish-washing animal. He worked enough each week to pay for his weekly flight lesson. The journey had taken off.
Arriving at the University in 2004 with his private pilot license in hand, Homolek quickly took advantage of a new curriculum change: freshmen could fly at WMU! Moving through the flight program at warp speed, Dan earned his certified flight instructor rating by 2006. Teaching other students to fly during his junior and senior years, he quickly began accumulating experience and hours. After graduating in 2008 and looking toward the horizon, Dan began plotting the next part of his journey.
As everyone knows in aviation, networking is instrumental in the pursuit of employment. Not only is it important to possess the skills necessary to operate and work within the aviation industry, a person must be fluent in networking and making connections. Understanding this, Dan reached way back into his networking bag and pulled out the ultimate trump card: a former neighbor from his younger days. After graduating WMU, Dan was ready to begin the next part of his journey. Not leaving any stone unturned, Homolek began the job search. With a job opportunity pending at the airlines, Dan’s gamble paid off. Contacting the former neighbor, Dan took a chance. Although he hadn’t seen this person for many years, the connection paid off. The neighbor, recently retired from what would become Dan’s current company, put a word in for Dan and an internship was offered. Jumping at the chance, Homolek turned down the opportunity with the airlines and began the next leg of his journey. Not only had he taken off, he was ascending rapidly!
Fast forward several years: Dan is currently a pilot for a major corporate flight department in southeast Michigan. When asked what he likes about his job, Dan easily responded, “What don’t I like! The quality of life is great and I can’t beat the schedule. However, one of the best parts of the job is working with the people.” The corporate flight department serves the company's employees by moving them to and from multiple locations within the mid-west and the lower 48. According to Homolek, “The locations provide enough variety to make (flying) exciting, but common enough to make it comfortable.” With two Phenom 300s, a Falcon 50EX, and a Falcon 2000, Dan is able to help his company efficiently and effectively conduct business. Due to the nature of the business, Homolek often sees repeat passengers. “Another nice attribute of my job is the fact I get to establish relationships with my co-workers. Not only are they passengers, we also work for the same company. So it’s nice to build those connections with fellow employees.” Dan’s journey reached cruising altitude.
The internship relationship between Dan’s current company and WMU has a long-standing tradition. As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding! One quarter of the company’s current pilots started their career as an intern. According to Homolek, “Roger Salo, Director of Aviation of our flight department, is the Chairman of the MBAA. To accomplish one of the association's goals, he tasked our department with developing a program in which we reach out to the next generation of aviation professionals in an effort to educate them about the benefits of a career in corporate aviation, and to provide an opportunity for students to begin the networking process.”
When asked about the importance of establishing and continuing an internship program, Homolek responded, “The internship helps to continuously promote corporate aviation as a viable career opportunity. It allows students to understand the vastness of careers that exist within the aviation umbrella. Most importantly, it helps to break down barriers, make connections, and may even lead to full time employment. Our company is a great example of that.” As a former intern who understands its power, Dan has assumed the responsibility of pushing the internship program further with WMU. Over the course of the years, interns from all three programs have been representing WMU. Moving forward, Dan’s goal is to once again have students from the three aviation programs at WMU participating in opportunities within his company.
The commitment to giving back to his alma mater is very important to Dan. Like most everyone in aviation, he is intimately familiar with the challenges the career requires. With over 50% of the pilots at his company being WMU alumni (with 25% being former SkyBroncos), there is an overwhelming desire to reach back to the place that helped their dreams soar. Giving back is not always a financial obligation. Dan and his crew continue to demonstrate how giving back can sometimes be as simple as “going back.” Their goal is to help inspire current WMU students and broaden their horizons regarding career opportunities and new perspectives. For Dan, the motivation to reengage WMU in regards to his company’s new ride-along program for current students is a perfect example of giving back. According to Homolek, “This program is incredibly important. It allows us the opportunity to reach back and get involved with younger students.”
Dan’s experience at WMU is filled with many warm memories. Looking back are recollections of Stinson and Zimmerman halls, a beautiful campus where lifelong friendships were established, and numerous activities. Coupled with his time on main campus are the experiences at the College of Aviation. As with most aviation students, he loved the flying – numerous cross countries and, the Extra 300! Although this time represented a pit stop on his journey to become a professional aviator, it is a time he looks back on fondly.
To say Dan’s journey has taken him full circle is an understatement. As a child growing up in Woodhaven, he made moves that helped direct him towards a career as a professional pilot. While his journey took him places, it eventually brought him back to his hometown. Loving life and his job, Dan feels incredibly fortunate that his current job has brought him back to where it all started. While some might say Dan’s journey is complete, most would agree it is taking off for the second time!