Globe Cargo

"Our August 2005 member has been inducted into the Globe Gargo Hall of Fame. Remember, a pilot can only be inducted into the Hall of Fame one time and will remain on the list forever. Justin Erickson [attachmentid=310] Currently I am a Customer Service Coordinator for Mesaba Airlines (Northwest Airlink). I am in charge of 7 gates at Minneapolis/St. Paul International (KMSP). I am responsible for on-time departures out of my gates and directing my ramp agents. One of the more fun things I get to do is pushback the airplanes and I am qualified to brake ride Saab 340?s for repositioning. I ground handle Mesaba?s Saab 340?s, Avro RJ-85?s, and Pinnicle Airlines? CRJ-200?s I have been involved in real world aviation since November of 1997 when I took a half hour intro ride. In that half hour I changed my mind from being a police officer to being a pilot. I earned my Private Pilot license in July of 1998, right after I graduated from high school. From there I went to St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota and received my Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Flight. So, while at SCSU I earned my multi-engine rating, instrument rating, multi-engine commercial, single-engine commercial, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), CFI-Instrument, and Multi-engine Instructor. I also have my complex and high performance endorsements. I am currently waiting to hear back about a flight instructor position at a local airport. I learned to fly in a Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk and I?ve also flown all major models of the Piper Cherokee series, C152, C172, Mooney, Beechcraft Duchess (light twin trainer). One of the things I am most proud of though is that I got to fly myself to KCGX, Meigs field in Chicago. Any one of you who has been in FS since before FS2002, you know exactly where that is  I have been in flight simulation since 1993 when I got FS5.0 as a Christmas gift. I learned an incredible amount about flying even from that earlier version of FS. At the time, my step-dad was still flying for Northwest Airlines so whenever I had a question about instruments or technique he?d help me. By the time I set foot in a real airplane, I already knew how to work the VOR receiver. In fact, on that intro ride I spoke about earlier, the instructor let me land the plane and he didn?t have to touch the controls. That?s a testament to what you can learn and really how realistic FS is. I have had every version of FS since FS5.0 and I will continue to purchase every release of FS. I have been involved in VA?s since 1998, I think. I first joined Noble Air?s Boston hub. I remember printing out the pilot?s manual and reading it carefully. I was so excited to get started. I honestly don?t remember how or why I quit because it was so long ago. Then I started with NWVA. There, I rose through the ranks and eventually made it to V.P. of NWVA. When I had enough of that I didn?t join any other VA?s until I saw Ralph was starting, at the time, Virtual Atlas Air (which we now know as our beloved Virtual Globe Cargo). I remember, ?first 50 pilots will automatically be Captains?, or something to that effect. That really drew me in to sign up quick  Almost right away Ralph recruited me to ORD Hub Manager and I?ve been in management ever since. I enjoy helping pilots with problems and working on projects in the background. I spend quite a few hours each week between Regional Manager duties and working on projects with other members of management and some pilots to enhance realism and enjoyment of the VA."