What happens when the career you’ve planned your entire life suddenly isn’t an option?

Kenny T sits down with longtime friend and FedEx First Officer Dwayne Quick to talk about a career in aviation that went almost nothing like the original plan.

Dwayne grew up around military aviation with one goal: become an Air Force fighter pilot. After years of pursuing that path, medical barriers forced him to pivot and figure out an entirely different route into professional aviation. That journey eventually took him through flight instruction, the airlines, international widebody flying, American Airlines, and ultimately FedEx. Pasted text

They get into the part of becoming a pilot that doesn’t get talked about enough: the “now what?” stage after earning your ratings, building hours when progress feels slow, choosing the right opportunities, networking without burning bridges, and knowing when you need a mentor versus a coach.

Dwayne also shares a sobering story about an inadvertent IMC encounter in a general aviation aircraft that developed into a steep spiral after instrument failures. It became a powerful lesson about proficiency, overconfidence, get-there-itis, and why being qualified does not always mean being prepared. Pasted text

They also discuss balancing professional flying with marriage and young children, career sacrifices, staying motivated, and why closed doors don’t necessarily mean you’re on the wrong path.

00:00 Introducing Dwayne Quick
01:49 Growing Up Around Military Aviation
04:58 The Fighter Pilot Dream and Medical Roadblocks
08:10 Discovering Civilian Aviation
10:34 Rebuilding the Plan After the Military Path Closed
12:27 Financing Flight Training and Taking the Risk
15:51 Flight School, Checkrides, and Learning Through Failure
17:49 The “Now What?” Phase After Earning Your Ratings
20:40 Staying Motivated During the Time-Building Grind
23:39 Networking, Career Decisions, and Avoiding Burned Bridges
26:00 When Mentorship Becomes a Crutch
27:36 Coaching Pilots Through Nontraditional Career Paths
30:07 Mentorship vs. Coaching
32:30 Why Some Aspiring Pilots Don’t Make It
36:06 Balancing Family Life and a Professional Flying Career
40:47 Favorite Aircraft and Flying Experiences
41:59 A Dangerous Inadvertent IMC Encounter
45:03 Get-There-Itis, Proficiency, and Lessons Learned
48:07 Staying Motivated and Giving Back
50:12 Final Thoughts and Closing

Straighten Up and Fly Right is brought to you by Kilo Tango Aviation.