Kevin Delmolino

In between tours as a professional musician, he took lessons at a local flight school in Massachusetts owned by a family he knew, and after progressing through ratings and flying jobs found his niche in corporate aviation. He now flies a Bombardier Challenger 350 for a private company but still enjoys performing music, giving flight instruction, or flying to the next grass strip in his American Champion Citabria based at Keymar Airpark (MD42) in Maryland.

How did you get started in aviation?

My father was an airplane buff. He began flying model airplanes as a young boy and he carried that love of building and flying models his entire life. When I was just a toddler, I started accompanying him to the model flying field and I loved it. I started learning to fly radio-controlled airplanes at the age of 4. I got into the aviation business as a second career and was able to flight instruct at a local flight school and fly charter. Early on I knew that I wanted to stay in corporate aviation, and over the past 36 years have flown for management and charter companies.

Favorite aircraft?

Like most young boys who grew up in the mid-1970s and loved all things airplane, the television show Baa Baa Black Sheep with the Vought F4U–1 Corsair front and center every week was a powerful influence. It doesn’t look like any other airplane, has great lines and a massive engine and propeller that just growled. What’s not to love! Early in my aviation career I was fortunate to meet Walter J. Koladza, a test pilot for Chance Vought who flew the new Corsairs as they came off the assembly line during World War II. His stories and knowledge of the Corsair that he shared ingrained it in my brain.

Favorite aviation activity?

I’m not sure I can only name one activity as a favorite because I love it all. But I do especially enjoy helping low-time or rusty pilots with their aviation journey. I think there is merit to the adage that when you get a pilot certificate it’s a license to learn. I love working with folks when they want to start filling in the void between the book knowledge they have memorized and how to apply it. It’s fun to watch the pieces fall into place.

Biggest challenges?

My biggest hurdle has always been distraction. Prioritizing time for studies and regular flight training in a hectic schedule was and still is a challenge.

Advice for student pilots?

Aviation is a journey, not a destination. Develop a professional mindset from the start to continually want to learn more and fly safer with greater precision. Ask questions, seek advice. It’s easy to think of obtaining a specific license or flying job as the goal and to focus on the absolute bare minimum to achieve these outcomes, but aviation—being such a dynamic, fluid and sometimes unforgiving endeavor—demands more than just good enough. The greatest pilots I have ever known all have the same trait, the quest to continue learning. So, whether you’re working toward your first rating or your last, always strive to be better than yesterday. Oh, and don’t forget to have fun!

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