Andrew Eckhardt decided to show up to his class reunion in style.
Eckhardt, a captain with the Royal Canadian Air Force, brought a CF-18 fighter jet back to Thunder Bay for Confederation College’s Aviation Flight Management program’s reunion.
He credits the skills he learned from the program, which he graduated in 2007, for helping him advance up the ranks.
“For me, the military has always been an interest of mine,” Eckhardt said.
“I think the benefit with Confederation College is that it’s a structured syllabus the students go through, much like a military training environment. The mindset in that case was very helpful and beneficial.”
The program has 800 graduates throughout its 40 year history. Some of those former students were on hand for the aviation program’s anniversary reunion, which was held at their education building at the Thunder Bay International Airport on Saturday.
Some graduates, like Eckhardt, have taken the military direction. Others have landed commercial careers, government positions or work as bush pilots.
Eckhardt has been flying the CF-18 for nearly a year out of the base in Bagotville, Que. and said the aircraft is a joy to fly.
“It’s unbelievable. The aircraft has so much power and it’s very manoeuvrable,” he described.
The fighter jet was displayed outside, and Eckhardt provided information about the aircraft to fellow alumni as well as members of the local cadets.
Aviation Flight Management program coordinator Gabrielle Moore has worked as an instructor at Confederation College for eight years, and explained it is rewarding to catch up with alumni and hear about their experiences.
“It’s very cool for us to see as teachers where they’ve ended up, and it’s very inspiring for the current students as well,” Moore said.
Daniel Keogh is one student that has made a mark in the commercial airline industry.
Keogh, a member of the 1983 graduating class, began as a bush pilot in Big Trout Lake before relocating to Toronto to fly commuter planes.
He has since moved up the ladder to his current position, training captain for the A380 aircraft for Emirates Airlines.
“What I learned was decision making and the big picture,” Keogh explained. “When you’re flying an airplane it’s not about the small details but the overall big picture.”
The program has 19 different airplanes, and has two simulators for their students.
