We asked our UAS instructor Bob Linne about his experience and why he loves flying. Read more below!
Q: What’s your aviation story?
A: Nothing has ever interested me more than the fascination for flight. As a child, I could not wait to travel to the airport to pick up family members who would travel into town for a visit, not so much to see them, but for a chance to see the airplanes. I never knew why the airport always smelled different, or sounded so wild, it would be much later that I learned the fragrant smell I enjoyed so much was that sweet smell of jet fuel.
Q: How did you get into flying UAS?
A: It was not until later in my 20s, as I already settled into what I thought would be my career, that my colleages and friends convinced me to return to college and pursue an education for what my passion was really all about. I started at Jacksonville University in their Aeronautics program then after one semester transferred to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide to complete both my Undergrade in Professional Aeronautics and a master’s degree in Aeronautical Science. Later I studied to become and FAA Advanced Ground Instructor and Part 107 Certified Unmanned Aircraft operator. I was hired by Embry Riddle Aeronautical to teach dual enrollment to Duval County High School student, Private Pilot ground training, and Part 107 courses, as well as college-level business, which is where my career in management became a useful resource.
Q: What do you think is important when choosing a flight school?
A: Choosing an aeronautics program or flight school is based on reputation of past students’ success of they perceive the school and its instructor actually care about the student’s performance to excel inside and outside the aircraft. I do not think a student can or will try to exceed expectations if the student does not think the entire team is working together as one cohesive unit.
Q: What do you like most about being an instructor?
A: One of the greatest joys I have as an instructor is being able to bring a perceived complex subject matter in front of a student and explain it with terms or in a manner in which they understand, and then seeing the elation of excitement when they realize it was not as difficult as they thought. This motivates and drives a hunger for more knowledge and then we all get more excited to learn together.
Q: What is your most memorable flying experience?
A: Each and every flight, manned or unmanned is always a bit of excitement and nervousness, but I do enjoy taking photographs during flights. I try to capture the most creative pictures even when I am a commercial flight without any filters, and I am always anxious to see how they turn out. With Unmanned Aircraft, I have captured some of the most beautiful landscape scenes and because we have the best changing weather conditions, it’s always amazing to see how from one side of the city can be so different.
Q: What advice would you give students wanting to learn UAS?
A: If a student is interested in learning more about Part 107 or Unmanned Aircraft, the best advice is realized these are not toys, they are just as real aircraft and can be just as serious to fly as a Cessna or any-other manned aircraft. Safety is paramount, it is not something to take lightly even though they are smaller.
Q: If you could fly anywhere, where would it be?
A: It would be nice if Kai Tek airport in Japan was still open. I always thought it would be nice to sit on the flight deck of a B747 during landing and takeoff. Sure, looked like a lot of fun to follow that landing procedure.
