WMU Aviation Alumni Garrett Williams and his mother at the College of Aviation Wings Ceremony
Garrett Williams is at the point in his aviation pathway where hundreds of WMU College of Aviation alumni launched their professional careers.
Williams, a 2022 graduate with a degree in aviation flight science, has recently joined the college's squadron of certified flight instructors, admitting that he doesn't have "much experience teaching, yet I have only been a flight instructor for 8 months, I am looking forward to continue teaching."
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He's not The Lone Ranger -- or in this case the first "Smilin' Jack" -- to do this kind of an instructional flight jacket with only 8-month record to his credit. Like his Bronco predecessors, he will treasure being able to help students achieve their aviation dreams and, at the same time, refine and improve his skills as a pilot. Teachers who love their craft constantly admit to this bonus, no matter what their discipline.
Williams headed north for his higher education and professional training after graduating in 2018 from Zionsville Community High School in central Indiana. Zionsville's population more than doubled to around 34,000 from 2010 to 2020. The community is just to the north of Indianapolis' famed ring road of freeways, making it a commuter-friendly suburb for the state's largest community.
On the edge of his teen-age years, Williams took a "discovery flight," at Western when he was 17 and that cemented a career destination. "Ever since then, it's all that I wanted to do," he says. A quick scan northward from his home state established his plans. "I chose WMU because of its fleet of aircraft and its reputation as being one of the top three flight schools in the country."
Not much later, he realized he had made the right choice, particularly enjoying dorm life in his freshman year. "My favorite classes were the flight labs," he says, "because of the hands-on experience, and I really enjoy flying." A key mentor was Will Gaffney, who flies for SkyWest Airlines, which recently entered a partnership with Western to provide career pathways for student pilots and aviation technicians. In addition to that, Gaffney is "type rated" for the CL-65, the Bombardier Canadair regional aircraft known as being one of the fastest jets -- 461 miles per hour -- in its class with the capability of carrying up to 50 passengers and utilizing short runways.
During his Western days, Williams logged more than two years as one of college's "skilled trades helpers," which, he says, drilled into him "many mechanical problem-solving techniques" and an awareness of the value of preventative maintenance. He chalked that up to the wisdom and ways of Norm Risk, the college's supervisor of aviation facilities. How's that for an appropriately named boss whose main mission is to make certain that there is no risk in accessing any of the facilities housing they multitude of Bronco aircraft.
Along the way to prepare for his current duties, Williams trained for his initial commercial multi-engine rating and took an accelerated course for certified flight instructors in Fort Collins, Colo.
Williams after receiving one of his many flight certificates
In the "no-pain-no-gain" school of thought, Williams says he faced some hurdles on his career journey -- Michigan's winter-weather challenges that can limit flight time, which is expected, and facing flight training during the peak of Covid 19, which could not be expected. "But I adapted, and got to a good point to start my professional career in aviation. I had seven flight instructors at Western -- that many because they moved on to the next phase of their careers with airlines." He can see that happening to him as well because his long-term goal is to wear a captain's uniform.
Williams with his family during his WMU College of Aviation graduation celebration
"The aviation industry is itching for pilots and flight-crew personnel," he says. "I believe that the best way to give back to the industry is to help train the next generation of pilots (of which he is still one) and introduce young adults to this career path. I want to be able to offer students the ability to learn in a safe environment as I did, as well asenjoying the pleasure of flying at Western. That has taken me to some interesting places during cross-countries to different states. I have seen things from the air that few people get to see."
One of those flights took him to the 2021 edition of The Spirit of Aviation EAA Air Venture in Oshkosh, Wis. "I had just received my instrument rating," he recalls, "which made it slightly stressful, yet much fun and very rewarding. I would love to go back in the future.
Back home in Indiana, Williams' family includes 17-year-old twin brothers and uncles who are pilots who own and fly a Cessna 150 Commuter. Zionsville's Wikipedia page reports that its one high school has produced 40 "notables," many with athletic legacies: NFL players and coaches Dallas Clark, Chuck Pagano, and Jeff Saturday; NBA players Ron Artess and Rik Smits; former Butler coach Brad Stevens, who is now a major part of the Boston Celtics leadership; ex-college coach and TV commentator Dan Dakich, just to name a few.
Also listed are politicians, those who have made significant contributions to the fine arts, and community activists trying to make a difference.
So far, there are no renowned aviators. There could be a future spot for Garrett Williams.