Success Story

Eliot Tada, first officer, Comair

Eliot Tada Honolulu, Hawaii Age: 24 First officer for Comair; commercial single and multi; CFI single and multi; CRJ SIC Total time 1,300 hours; 60 multiengine; 400 turbojet

As rough a road as the airlines are on right now, Eliot Tada may turn out to have perfect timing. The native of Hawaii is the son of an Aloha Airlines captain who developed his interest in flying airplanes late. He originally wanted to be an engineer, and that lasted until he took a high school calculus class. With a smile he says, "That was the end of that."

He began to focus his energies on the possibility of learning to fly. His father was a military pilot, and it wasn't until the industry shifted toward hiring mostly general aviation pilots that he was willing to take the financial risk of pursing a life of flying the line. However, he wanted a more rounded education than just being a pilot.

After much research and deliberation, he decided to go to Jacksonville University in Florida. "I would be able to get a nonaviation degree to fall back on [business management with an emphasis in flight operations] as well as do the flying. I also wanted to go someplace tropical to have weather similar to home." Imagine his shock, then, to discover that Florida--especially north Florida--can get downright cold in the winter. "The weather was the biggest adjustment," he says.

Tada spent some time after graduation as an instructor, and at age 23 in 2007 he was hired by Comair as a first officer on the Canadair Regional Jet. He was hired with 900 total hours, including 60 multiengine. He has certificates for commercial single- and multiengine flying, as well as CFI credentials for both. Now 24, he has 1,300 hours, including 400 turbojet.

"[I am surprised at] how quickly the industry changes. The peaks in the pay and the contracts occurred when I was in high school, and by the time I had finished college, the situation was reversed," Tada says. Keeping in mind that his father's company has "always been one bad year from going out of business because it is so small," it is interesting to hear his surprise at what can happen at the airlines. Tada was adamant about his desire to join his father's company and move back home; less than 24 hours later, Aloha had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced that it was for sale. Less than two weeks later, the company announced it would cease passenger operations after 61 years of service.

What advice would he provide to others following him? "Research, research, research! Research the flight schools for the best bargain, get a nonaviation degree, and research the companies you are applying to. Ask questions. And be flexible." Tada could be content to stay on the mainland, which for a Hawaiian native can't be easy. However, if the industry is indeed hitting its lowest valley, he may find himself riding the front end of the wave back to the highest peaks in the future.

Chip Wright has been flying since 1990, has been a CFI since 1994, and is now an ATP and a Canadair Regional Jet captain for Comair. His total time is 8,000 hours.