Garin Janicki, a student in the first year of the Aviation Science & Technology program in 2016-17, shares his path to success and advice with future aviators
As one of the first students to take the Aviation Science & Technology program in the 2016-17 school year, Garin Janicki looks back on the foundation it provided for his trajectory into the aviation industry.
He recalled his instructor, Larry Froede, working hard to give students real-world glimpses into the life of being a pilot, often asking private pilots utilizing Pellston Regional Airport’s general aviation facilities to come in and talk to the students.
“It was very fun to talk to those who were in the position that all of us students wanted to be in,” recalled Janicki. “The program for sure helped me push my career toward the aviation route. Being at a busy airport (for northern Michigan) really helped immerse ourselves into the industry and see what a pilot’s everyday life would be like.”
Janicki also took the aviation class during the 2017-18 school year, the year which he graduated from Harbor Springs High School. Now 24 and continuing to build his career in aviation, Janicki’s path provides great insight for students wondering about how a potential pilot path might take shape.
After high school, Janicki continued flying in Boyne City with Leon Jarema to finish his private pilot license, which he received on July 2, 2018. On July 3, he left for Army basic training. After finishing basic training and advanced individual training in the early days of November 2018, he returned home and was placed on the waitlist at Northwestern Michigan College’s aviation program.
“After some hurdles and bumps (mostly COVID related), I graduated NMC with my part 141 Commercial Rating with an instrument rating, seaplane, and multi-engine add-on by November of 2020,” Janicki said.
In January 2012, he was hired by North Country Aviation located in Gaylord, where he accumulated over 500 hours flying part 135 as a co-pilot in the King air 90, King Air 200, and Cessna 421. He is still employed by this company.
In January 2024, he was hired by Northern Michigan Jet Services out of Pellston and Gaylord, where he flies mechanics across the Midwest and central U.S. as a captain in the Cessna 310 and 421.
“As of October I have a Conditional Offer of Employment with Skywest. Because I went to a part 141 flight school (NMC) and got an associate’s degree, I am able to be hired by the airlines at 1,225 total hours instead of 1,500 total time,” Janicki said, and adding with excitement, “My current total hours are 1,200.4 JUST UNDER 25 TO GO!!!!!!!!”
His future plans are to fly for Skywest and travel with his girlfriend, Rachel. “Then when I accumulate enough hours, I plan to take a ‘pathway’ into Delta Airlines where I would most definitely retire from,” he said.
Thinking back to his time in the aviation class in Pellston, Janicki said he is grateful for the skills it taught him that he still uses every day.
“My one big piece of advice I would have wished I would have followed while at the school was to pay attention to everything taught. You WILL USE a lot of what you are taught in the early stages of flying,” he emphasized.
The class also helped seal the deal that aviation was the path for him.
“This class really helped make my decision that ‘Yes, this is the career I want to do.’ Also, flying with a large price cut with the grants really cut the costs of flying up to my first solo flight. Unfortunately, due to other circumstances, the plane was no longer able to be used in the program which is why I continued my flying with Leon Jarema out of Boyne City airport,” Janicki said.
He said the ability to get a private pilot’s license in high school is a tremendous opportunity for students.
“Get your private pilot’s license before you go to college. Save yourself the couple thousand dollars and time,” Janicki said. “I 100% recommend getting into the aviation program. Get a jump on those who don’t take advantage of the program you are offered. We all have the same goal for a big time job, but it’s always good to get there first!”
Even though his story is inspiring to young aviators, he offered some additional words of advice to high schoolers finding their own journey.
“You don’t have to follow the same path as everyone else – college or no college, in or out of state,” he said. “Just do whatever path is best for YOU and enjoy the flight.”