Ken Costello
Ken Costello (1975)
I have been a member of OSC since about July 1989. My interest in aviation started in high school and led to the Air Force ROTC Flight Instruction Program in college. After graduating in from the University of Wyoming, I went to Undergraduate Pilot Training at Webb Air Force Base, graduating in 1976. Then it was on to Combat Crew Training School for KC-135 (Boeing 707) training at Castle Air Force Base, CA. Next came assignments at Ellsworth AFB, SD, Loring AFB, ME, Barksdale AFB, LA and finally Offutt AFB, NE. During these assignment I either flew the KC-135A on worldwide air refueling missions or worked in flight safety, investigating aircraft mishaps of all degrees. Also, at Ellsworth AFB, I was able to reach about 575 total hours in the T-38 in the "ACE" program. This was an opportunity for new pilots to gain experience and proficiency as pilot in command. We basically were given a T-38 to do whatever we wanted with. I used it to frequently criss-cross the country on weekends at .9 Mach.
Also at Ellsworth AFB, the soaring bug. Together, three of us started a soaring club in about 1980. Also about this time, I got my CFI and CFII. In 1991 or so, along came the glider rating to my CFI. After retiring in 1995, I was an active flight instructor for several years, while trying to get hired by a major airline. During this time, I added an airline transport rating (with B-707 type rating) and multi-engine instructor. In late 1997 Vanguard Airlines hired me to fly 737’s for a little while, until being furloughed. Since then I’ve transitioned to my back-up career of investment management.
At this point my logbook has about 4500+ hours TT, 3000
multi-engine, 1000 CFI, 500 tailwheel, 100 hrs glider and 600 tows. At this time most of
my flying is done either with OSC or in our 1950 Aeronca Champ 7CCM that is owned by a
group.
So there in a nutshell, is one OSC members "flight bio".
"Hope to see you out at the field soon".