After graduating from Bozeman High School, I spent several years as a ski bum, trouble
maker, hot rod engine builder and drag racer. I finally decided the best way to go really fast
and stay out of trouble was to fly airplanes. So, off to Reno I went, where I trained for and
started my flying career.
My first flying job started July 9, 1981 with Summit Engineering Corporation out of Reno,
Nevada. I was with Summit for twelve years flying Cessna brand aircraft, which included a
C-206, C-210, C-310 and C-414. I learned a lot about aviation, computers, computer
networking, surveying, AutoCad and much more while at Summit.
I then went to work flying for Great American Airways out of Reno. I worked there for five
years flying the DC-9 and MD-80 series aircraft. During the month of April, 1997, Great
American Airways went out of business.
After Great American, I flew for Southeast Airlines out of St. Petersburg, Florida flying the
MD-88.
Two years later, I went to work for Allegiant Air flying the MD-82, MD-83, MD-87 and MD-88.
After a year at the airline, I was promoted to a Check Airman position. Basically that made
me responsible for training pilots for international over water flying, training and checking
pilots during initial operating experience for new hire and upgrade pilots, and conducting
line checks for new hire and recurrent training pilots. I was also flying the line as a Captain.
After two years I was offered the East Coast Chief Pilot position at the airline's
Orlando/Sanford base. I held that position for about two years when I decided it was time to
go home to Montana. I stepped down from the Orlando/Sanford Chief Pilot position and
took a position in the training department. My duties were to train new hire and Captain
upgrade pilots in the flight simulator, conduct check rides in the flight simulator, and all of
the Check Airman duties on the line. During the month of May, 2008, I took my old Florida
Chief Pilot position back, but was going to travel back and forth from Montana for work. I
figured it was going to be temporary, but it ended up lasting several years. On June 15,
2011, I stepped down from the East Coast Chief Pilot position for the last time and returned
to the training department. I also served as a tech or special assignment pilot, which
means test flying aircraft that came out of heavy checks/inspections.
And finally, effective July 11, 2013 I retired from my airline career. I stay real busy with
photography, working/volunteering at the Montana Learning Center at Canyon Ferry Lake,
flying part time for the State of Montana and serving as the treasurer of the board of
directors for the North Canyon Park Homeowners Association at Canyon Ferry Lake. Life is
good!
maker, hot rod engine builder and drag racer. I finally decided the best way to go really fast
and stay out of trouble was to fly airplanes. So, off to Reno I went, where I trained for and
started my flying career.
My first flying job started July 9, 1981 with Summit Engineering Corporation out of Reno,
Nevada. I was with Summit for twelve years flying Cessna brand aircraft, which included a
C-206, C-210, C-310 and C-414. I learned a lot about aviation, computers, computer
networking, surveying, AutoCad and much more while at Summit.
I then went to work flying for Great American Airways out of Reno. I worked there for five
years flying the DC-9 and MD-80 series aircraft. During the month of April, 1997, Great
American Airways went out of business.
After Great American, I flew for Southeast Airlines out of St. Petersburg, Florida flying the
MD-88.
Two years later, I went to work for Allegiant Air flying the MD-82, MD-83, MD-87 and MD-88.
After a year at the airline, I was promoted to a Check Airman position. Basically that made
me responsible for training pilots for international over water flying, training and checking
pilots during initial operating experience for new hire and upgrade pilots, and conducting
line checks for new hire and recurrent training pilots. I was also flying the line as a Captain.
After two years I was offered the East Coast Chief Pilot position at the airline's
Orlando/Sanford base. I held that position for about two years when I decided it was time to
go home to Montana. I stepped down from the Orlando/Sanford Chief Pilot position and
took a position in the training department. My duties were to train new hire and Captain
upgrade pilots in the flight simulator, conduct check rides in the flight simulator, and all of
the Check Airman duties on the line. During the month of May, 2008, I took my old Florida
Chief Pilot position back, but was going to travel back and forth from Montana for work. I
figured it was going to be temporary, but it ended up lasting several years. On June 15,
2011, I stepped down from the East Coast Chief Pilot position for the last time and returned
to the training department. I also served as a tech or special assignment pilot, which
means test flying aircraft that came out of heavy checks/inspections.
And finally, effective July 11, 2013 I retired from my airline career. I stay real busy with
photography, working/volunteering at the Montana Learning Center at Canyon Ferry Lake,
flying part time for the State of Montana and serving as the treasurer of the board of
directors for the North Canyon Park Homeowners Association at Canyon Ferry Lake. Life is
good!
Chris Gillette
About
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