Flying High with Aviation

Morgan Larson, Writer

Flight has evolved into so many different ways and implemented into so many different occurrences through history, from war planes to commercial airlines, aviation provides a vital source of transportation.  The Wright Brothers definitely were on to something when they created the first mockup of the airplane. Without it, no one may have ever known such definitions as it has provided by today’s standards.

Iowa Lakes Community College (ILCC) prides itself into showcasing its Aviation program as well as its Chief Flight Instructor, Tim Busch. He is a passionate instructor who ensures every student that pursues their dream of aviation will achieve it. It’s all about Tim Busch and his aviation journey.

As Chief Flight Instructor and the Aviation Department Coordinator, Tim Busch has been running the program two years this coming July. His aviation journey began with his upbringing and the events that helped shape his passion later in life.

“Growing up on a farm next to an Air Force Base,” Busch began.  “They didn’t have any runways, but it was a radar facility. There were daily supersonic overflights by Air Force airplanes.” Another thing that Busch mentioned was the evolving space program at that point in time, “I grew up watching the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Shuttle programs.”

From the time of those programs, Busch has come a long way in his 40 years involved in aviation.  “There weren’t many flying jobs when I got out of school, so I went into engineering, starting at a large defense contractor,” said Busch.  “We made avionics and communications systems for the Department of Defense and other countries’ Ministries of Defense.”

Busch began flying soon after he obtained a full-time professional career apart from working in engineering. He started teaching people to fly in 1997 and began his own flight school in 2005. Busch has continued to expand on his flight experiences.

With roughly two years of being the primary instructor of the Aviation program, Busch has since made a few changes to the program. “July 1 will be two years here, so I can’t say I’ve had a “career” here,” said Busch.  “However, I have made a LOT of changes to the program in those two years.”

Adjusting the airplane fleet to match their needs, selling three and purchasing four airplanes, hiring eight instructors, moving from a paper system to an all-online flight school management system, creating a simulator center with four flight simulators, and dozens of other smaller changes.  “Due to the demand for remote (drone) pilots, we are also launching a Remote Pilot program,” Busch added.

With his 40 years experience within the aviation field itself as well as his short time with ILCC, Busch can quickly say he can pick out a few highlights from his time instructing this program.  “1. Working with motivated instructors and students. 2. Creating a world class aviation program. 3. Creating a vision for an expanded program,” said Busch.

As many programs continue to bring in various student enrollment numbers year to year, Busch believes that the Aviation program numbers are vital.  The demand for future pilots looks promising for Busch’s Aviation program.  “Looking forward, aviation has a very high demand. Boeing has predicted a need for over 800,000 new airline pilots over the next 20 years, but the need for pilots is not just in the airlines,” said Busch.

Busch added that the military is short on pilots, and corporate, charter, agriculture (crop dusting), medical, and businesses all need pilots as well as flight testing for aircraft manufacturers. This is one main reason why the Aviation program is looking high for student enrollments and who are passionate about flight and airplanes that will help fill these high demands in aviation.

Busch always wants to ensure that his students are able to take away something from his program after completing it.  He goes on to say what that one thing would be. “They will never stop learning. We want to make sure they develop good learning skills because the learning never stops.”

It’s pretty self-explanatory that if someone is enrolled in the Aviation program, they are seeking employment as a pilot or are fascinated by the idea of flying. Busch weighs in on what he believes his students will find to be successful in this field after graduation.  “Maybe 50% are interested in the airlines, but all the areas have needs where our students can be successful,” said Busch.  When it comes to what is the most common aviation job, he sees his students pursing after graduating, Busch believes, “There is no “most” in the field.”

Aviation, according to Busch, is huge in today’s world of job opportunities.  “The Iowa DOT did a study a few years ago and one conclusion was that 4 out of the top 10 reasons a business comes to a community is related to the local airport,” said Busch. “There are only 8 “commercial” airports in Iowa, but over 100 total airports.  Businesses want to be able to land THEIR airplanes at the local airport.”

Busch strongly believes that in today’s world, the demand for Aviation employers that hire graduating aviators are on the rise. These businesses/employers are always looking for new, applicable employees.  “If Boeing says there are over 800,000 new pilots needed in the next 20 years, the rest of the industry probably doubles that number,” said Busch.  “The Air Force is short 2000 pilots TODAY.  There is also tremendous growth in the need for Remote (drone) Pilots.”

From his humble beginnings growing up next to an airbase and witnessing major and historical space programs making history to gaining 40 years of aviation experience and sharing his passion for airplanes and flight with his students. Tim Busch is one pilot/instructor that is always looking to the skies for the next advancement in his field. Inspiring his students to dream big and set their sights on their future horizons. 

The Aviation program offers endless opportunities, especially adding everything Busch has experienced to ensure newly enrolled students step into his program are receiving the best education to make their college journeys successful. You are sure to fly high with Tim Busch and his aviation program and flight classes.