Jacob Passer, a former student at Iowa Lakes Community College was offered the opportunity last month to be the new aviation flight instructor for Iowa Lakes. Jacob has had an amazing journey from working at his local airport to enrolling for aviation program in 2017 to even earning his certified flight instructor certificate last month in March. Jacob would go into detail talking about his journey being the new aviation flight instructor for Iowa Lakes.
“Aviation has been in my family,” said Passer.”My grandpa owned an airplane of his own, but that was before I was born. My brother, Tim, went through the same aviation program here at ILCC in the early 2000’s and became a flight instructor here as well. So, I have been exposed to the world of aviation and its benefits.”
“A year or two after high school, I thought it would be cool to be an aircraft mechanic, but that didn’t pan out for me at the time. Then I got interested in flying airplanes and having ILCC close to home, it was a no brainer to go here. I first wanted to get my Private pilot certificate and I thought, if I like it, I will continue. And of course, I did. I progressed to commercial, multi-engine, and finally to where I’m at now, flight instructor at Iowa Lakes.”
When it comes to every person’s journey in life, there are many are people that can help you along the way. Jacob would talk about the people who helped get to where he is today.
“By far my parents helped me the most, with encouragement and finances when possible,” said Passer. “My brother, Tim, was also available whenever I had any questions about flying. Austin Kallemeyn was my instructor at ILCC, and I learned everything from him. He taught me to my first solo and all the way to my commercial certificate. Ron Duer, previous chief instructor at ILCC, was a great advisor and teacher, and he was happy to answer any questions I had.”
“Tim Busch is the one that gave me the opportunity to be a flight instructor at ILCC. He had a plan for the future of the program, which included more instructors and planes for instruction. I was excited to be included in that plan.”
Tim Busch, who is the head instructor for the aviation program at Iowa Lakes would talk about Jacob and his journey being the new flight instructor for the aviation program.
“I’ve known Jacob ever since he started the program in 2017,” said Busch. “He’s told me his entire story with his grandpa and brother, and he’s always worked hard in the aviation program. He’s been a leader throughout our program. I’m looking forward to see Jacob use those leader skills not just for the program, but for the future students too.”
Everybody has to have a reason when it comes to doing something they love. Jacob would talk about why he choose aviation for Iowa Lakes.
“It’s fun! I wanted to work in an industry that is also a hobby to me,” said Passer. “Aviation is constantly changing with technology, every year, even everyday there is something new to discover. The world is so small in the eyes of aviation. You can travel to most of the United States in a day, even in a small single-engine airplane.”
“I wanted to work for ILCC, because the instructors that are there are my friends. Also, I knew the airport, the planes we use for instruction, and college for which I have great passion for. With Tim Busch being our new Chief flight instructor, we have a lot of drive in the right direction now. All of us build off each other every day.”
Jacob would then thank everyone that has supported him throughout his journey at Iowa Lakes and would then give advice to anyone that is considering on being a aviation flight instructor.
“Being a pilot, there so many different experiences and jobs out there, that you can pick what you want,” said Passer. “You never stop learning, the day you stop learning is the day you stop flying. That is why being a private pilot, or a flight instructor can be so much fun. We like to call it the license to learn.”
“I want to thank my Lord and Savior for keeping me safe and guiding me through to this path, and my family for helping me through this journey. For anyone who is thinking of flying or maybe hasn’t thought of flying for a career, give it a shot! Go for a discovery flight with an instructor. Don’t knock it till you try it, and believe me, you’ll have a lot of fun. It can be a lot of work and studying, but it can also be the most rewarding moment of your life when you achieve your goals.”
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