A passion for flight
5/31/2023Our eyes often gaze upward in amazement. A clear, night sky filled with stars. Clouds painted in vibrant pinks and oranges by a rising sun. Ominous storms with lightning flashing across the heavens. Formations of geese traversing the continent, high above the land. And heavy, metal airplanes with their human cargo miraculously crossing the skies as if light as hollow-boned birds. While many of us are happily grounded, some pursue the dream of soaring above us.
Joani Feiner
From flight attendant to pilot
When Joani Feiner was 15, she was hired by United Airlines as a flight attendant, but she wanted more.
“Although l enjoyed being a flight attendant, l did not find it fulfilling. At age 43, I decided it was time for a career change.”
She decided to become a pilot.
“There is nothing quite like the feeling of powering up a jet engine and lifting off into the sky,” she says, adding, “I always loved the challenge of a great landing.
“Soaring above the clouds with only blue sky in sight filled me with a peacefulness only other pilots could fully understand.”
Even in her retirement, Joani is often asked about being a female in a male-dominated profession. She admits it was difficult but adds that the balance is shifting. She recalls having an all-female crew.
“Then once we had a crew where the flight attendants were male and there were two females in the cockpit,” she says. “I loved flying with other females. We always had such a good time.”
Source: Adel Living, May 2023, by Chantel Boyd
Ron Dardis
Top Gun
As a fighter pilot, Lt. General Ron Dardis completed deployments and exercises around the world. He also undertook conversion training in the A-7D and the F-16C. He then served as a flight instructor, flying with young pilots from undergraduate pilot training and teaching them to become combat-ready fighter pilots. He flew for 30 years.
During his time as a pilot, he had many memorable experiences. Some include participating in flyovers on Memorial Day to honor veterans at cemeteries around the state for 20-plus years, deployments and exercises around the world, ejection from an F-16 shortly after takeoff due to engine malfunction, and participation in the Navy Fighter Weapons School program, Top Gun. (Yes, like the movies.) Dardis was named the top Strafe Pilot in the Air Force in world competition in 1985.
“It was an honor to serve with great young Americans and my country for 43 years in the Air Force and have the opportunity to fly as a fighter pilot for 30 years.”
Source: Johnston Living, May 2023, by Ashley Rullestad
Deb McGee
Freedom of flight
Deb McGee’s husband, Dan, received his pilot certificate in 1985. At the time, Deb had no interest in becoming a pilot.
“I did go up with an instructor just to learn how to work the radios and the controls,” she explains. “That way, someone could help me get the plane on the ground in case an emergency ever occurred when Dan and I were flying.”
Deb started flying lessons at age 55. She recalls what it felt like that first time in the pilot’s seat instead of the passenger’s.
“I remember how amazing it was when the plane lifted off the ground,” she says, smiling. “Obviously, I had been in a plane before, but it’s totally different when you are at the controls.”
In 2007, the couple purchased their own plane so they could travel more easily.
“We recently returned from wintering at our home in Florida,” says Deb. “We don’t take for granted the fact that we have the freedom to fly down — or even take weekend trips here and there.”
Source: Indianola Living, May 2023, by Becky Kolosik
Dave Kalwishky
Flying for charity
Dave Kalwishky coordinates planes, hangars, fueling and customer service and is a flight instructor at the Ankeny Airport, as well as a pilot employed by Exec 1 Aviation there. He has flown for 40 years and has had a passion for planes since childhood.
“When I was 7 years old, I looked up at the air and saw an airplane. I thought that was so neat,” he recalls. When he turned 15, he took lessons and obtained his pilot’s license.
He flies for charities with his own airplane. With Lifeline Pilots, he has transported people who need a helping hand and patients who can’t fly commercially or drive. He is a pilot for Angel Flight, which is also a medical, non-emergency transport service. As a member of Central Iowa Pilots and Paws, he has transported dogs from kill shelters for delivery to AHeinz57, an animal rescue shelter. For these charitable endeavors, he donates his time, plane and fuel.
“I’m up in the air any chance I can get,” he says. ♦
Source: West Des Moines/Jordan Creek Living, May 2023, by Jackie Wilson
