Ken Welte of Sutton Group – West Coast Realty in Nanaimo, British Columbia, is helping to give young people a flying start in life. For more than 20 years, he has volunteered at the Air Cadet squadron in Nanaimo offering weekly instruction on airframes, navigation, engines, airlaw, meteorology and airmanship. He also takes students flying for free in his Cessna 172 so that they can gain practical experience. These volunteer contributions are a way for Ken to give back to the organization that fostered his own love of flying; Ken joined the Air Cadets when he was 13-years-old.
“I encourage students to take advantage of every opportunity through Air Cadets,” says Ken. “I teach the cadets the academics towards earning a scholarship so they can receive their pilot’s license for free. We meet every Friday night between 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. for classes. As well, we focus on current events locally, nationally and internationally making these young men and women fantastic ambassadors for Canada.”
Ken is pleased to see that many of the students he has taught over the years are currently flying for both large and small aviation companies, as well as serving in the military as pilots, non-pilot officers and non-commissioned members. “I teach them that no goal is too high to obtain. After all, Chris Hadfield started out in Air Cadets.”
Ken’s father and grandfather were pilots and his children share the family’s passion for flying. “My son Andrew Gates is a 21-year-old Officer Cadet at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston. He is studying physics and his trade in the Air force is as a pilot. My daughter Victoria Welte is 15 years old and a Flight Sergeant in the Nanaimo Collishaw Royal Canadian Air cadets. She has her glider pilot’s license.”
This story was adapted – with permission – from one originally featured on the Sutton Spirit website. The Sutton Spirit program recognizes Sutton associates across Canada that improve and enhance the lives of the people around them.
