Trevor Thelen is from Westphalia, MI, a small town near Lansing. He began at the College of Aviation in the Summer of 2017 and is now a senior preparing to graduate in December! Trevor is double majoring in Aviation Flight Science and Aviation Management and Operations. He is also obtaining a General Business minor and is thinking about getting either an MBA or a master’s degree in human factors.
Thelen became interested in aviation when he was in middle school. As a kid, he would attend air shows and aviation museums with his family. Some of his favorite memories include watching the Blue Angels, visiting the National Air and Space Museum, and flying the full motion simulators at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo. When the time came to choose a career, becoming a pilot was a no brainer.
When it came time to investigate higher education aviation institutions, Thelen chose Western Michigan University after his first visit. He liked the advanced Cirrus SR-20 flight deck, the huge number of student organizations available, and the welcoming atmosphere at the college. He also was able to participate in an Intro Flight, which he says was one of the most influential factors in making his college decision
While it is hard to pick one, Thelen's favorite class was the Instrument Ground course taught by Jim Whittles. He enjoyed the lively atmosphere that Mr. Whittles created and enjoyed learning about flying in the clouds. Trevor’s favorite part of attending Western Michigan University has been meeting new friends and attending various sporting events with them, specifically football and hockey.
An experience that Thelen will never forget is purchasing his own airplane with two of his friends. He feels that it was one of his greatest learning experiences. He has learned from experience about aircraft maintenance and inspections, insurance, and other legal issues surrounding ownership.
Currently, Thelen works as an Aviation Ambassador for the College of Aviation’s Recruitment and Outreach team. He enjoys meeting new students and sharing his passion for aviation. He is preparing to become a Certified Flight Instructor and plans to teach at WMU. After he has enough experience, he hopes to fly for Delta Air Lines. In addition to flying, he hopes to continue sharing his passion for aviation by working in pilot recruitment.