A Career Couple: Karleigh Pleyer and Mitch Whitcomb Climb the Ranks as Professional Pilots

Karleigh Pleyer and Mitch Whitcomb have experienced parallel flight plans so far in their lives. 

• They both graduated from high school in 2014. 
• They enrolled in the Western Michigan University College of Aviation that fall. 
• They received their degrees in aviation flight science in 2019, along the way enjoying the festive environment of being in the student sections of Bronco sporting events, especially hockey. 
• Until recently, they both worked as certified fight instructors for Superior Aviation Gateway, which is based at the executive airport serving the Tampa, Fla., region. 
• Having both finished their training as first officers, the newly appointed FOs will be heading to Republic Airways, a regional carrier headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind.  Operating as American Eagle, Delta Connection and United Express, its hubs include New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington airports. Republic's fleet of 175 Embraer E170s and 175s is the largest of its kind in the world. 

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They do hail from different parts of Michigan.  With a population of around 2,700, home for Pleyer is the Van Buren County community of Hartford about 40 miles due west of Western's Kalamazoo campus.  Whitcomb is an alumnus of Flushing High School.  Regarded as a Genesee County suburb of Flint, Flushing is just southwest of Michigan's geographically famous Thumb. 

Pleyer was naturally attracted to Western's "prestigious" program because she and her family lived relatively "just down the road about 40 minutes away."  Interested in aviation since childhood, she says "I always loved traveling, flying on airplanes and being in airports. 

"At first," she says, "I thought about being a flight attendant because you never heard of many women becoming pilots.  But after thinking a lot about what I wanted to do after high school, I decided to go against the norm and become a pilot."  That she has, along with completing a minor in Spanish at Western. 

Aviation had also intrigued Whitcomb growing up.  "I was amazed at both military aircraft from World War II and the modern-day aircraft.  The fact that I went on a few flights as a kid kind of cemented in me the idea of becoming a pilot," he says.  Whitcomb's path to Western was also a bit different.  "Some friends from high school started at WMU, their evaluations were good, and the aviation program was excellent.  Plus it was the perfect distance from home for me.  I transferred in as a junior and minored in business." 

Pleyer took part in resume-building activities while on campus.  She served as president of the Women in Aviation International (WAI) chapter and represented that organization on the Aviation Student Council.  "Being a part of those groups helped me meet many aviation professionals who have been in the industry for many years," she said.  "They gave me some skills to be the leader that I continue to strive to be." 

Want a few more similarities between the two?  Whitcomb also belonged to WAI and the student council.  Those alignments had the same results for him.  "Being involved in student organizations built the contacts and relationships that are so important later in life," he says.  "Aviation is a relatively small community and it pays off to the have friends." 

One of Pleyer's fond memories is the cross-country flight during her multi-engine course.  "Mom went with my instructor and me, from Battle Creek to Pittsburgh," she says.  "We had a blast.  Grabbed dinner in Pennsylvania and came back.  I love being able to take my family along on flights.  I can show them what I do every day." 

Other than the enjoyment of screaming at the goalies for the Broncos' hockey opponents, Whitcomb has warm thoughts about his training, particularly "Line Oriented Flight Crew Simulation."  "Getting to use the CRJ simulator allowed us to get a taste of what is to come," he says.  "Back then, that still seemed so far away, but now it's here. 

"I got along well with all my instructors," Whitcomb says.  "No complaints about any of them.  One -- Jim Whittles --  was always a friendly face to see at the Battle Creek airport.  He was always willing to help where he could." 

Soon after the ink was dry on their diplomas, the duo headed south.  First employment stop for Whitcomb was Skyport Aviation, the fixed-base operator at Tampa Executive Airport.  About 18 months later, he took his skills as a certified flight instructor to nearby Superior Aviation Gateway where his fellow Bronco was also on the payroll. 

"When students complete their first solo or pass a check ride," Whitcomb says, "it's pretty rewarding to be able to share their excitement as they start their journey on a career path.  I helped them.  While my family helped and supported me during my education, I hope I can soon repay them and allow them to reap the benefits of getting me to where I am today." 

What Pleyer also liked about being an instructor is how much knowledge she gained along the way, some of it interacting with people from countries all over the world.  "All students learn in different ways," she says.  "This has been a little bit of a challenge because I had to find different approaches to teach.  It depends on the student." 

And finally, as Paul Harvey used to wrap up "the rest of the story," Whitcomb and Pleyer have another similar flight plan.  As one says these days, they are "together" and have set their wedding date for October 2023! 

They crossed paths five years ago during their first semester as Western aviation students through instructor Kam Bellfy.  And the rest is not history.  It's still current, and likely to stay that way as their Republic Airways chapter unfolds.