Kalinago pilot making dream come true

Rainstar Luke, a 27-year-old Kalinago from Salybia, Kalinago Territory has completed a three-year advanced college program at First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI)\Canadore College as a “Professional Pilot”.

He always dreamed of becoming an airline pilot after flying with family friends in a twin engine Cessna 421 as child.

Rainstar is now one step closer to his goals and dreams which are being fulfilled thanks to financial assistance from the Government of Dominica to complete his “Instrument Rating” at Cornwall Aviation to meet his last graduation requirement in July 2014.

Luke would like to thank the Ministry of Carib Affairs and Ministry of Education & Human Resource Development for approving his application, which shows commitment to invest in youth and their education which can benefit the country.

He also thanked his supportive family Christine and Matthew Luke who he believes nurtured his childhood passion for flight.

“I am successful because of my family, friends & sponsors\investors who contributed, encouraged me to challenge myself to be the best at my passion,” he said.

Luke has taken advantage of many opportunities in aviation to realize his dream and pursue his passion which is flying.

He had the opportunity of a lifetime to partner with a 78-year-old former Swedish airline pilot and mechanic, Daniel Rundstroem, in 1999 to build a Vans RV 8 in the mountain village of Cochrane. The four-year journey was made into a feature film documentary “Celebration of Flight” directed by Lara Sanders for Lombardo Films GMBH in Munich, Germany.

Daniel and Luke’s friendship served as an inspiration to pursue an aviation career because of the sense of adventure and thrill flying an airplane as a pilot brings. Daniel helped prepare Luke for college by having ground school sessions on weather, federal aviation regulations and weight and balance whose knowledge, experience is rare.

Daniel and Luke are proud of building Dominica’s first airplane which shows the sky is the limit, no dream or project is impossible in Dominica once the passion and dedication exist.

Rainstar Luke is a holder of Transport Canada (Canada) & Federal Aviation Administration (USA) Commercial Pilot License with Multi Engine Rating\Instrument Rating as of July 29th 2014 with a total of 350 hours flying experience.

He began flying in August 2004 at Broward Community College in single engine Cessna 152, Cessna 172 upgrading to flying multi engine aircraft, Piper Aztec & Piper Seminole.

He was the first “International Student” to attend the First Nations Technical Institute which is operated by the Mohawk tribe on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory in Ontario, Canada from August 2008 to June 2010.

FNTI is an institution that offers post secondary education to First Nations\Native American Indians in various fields such as aviation, since established in 1985.

FNTI’s curriculum was approved by Transport Canada & the Ontario Ministry of Education offering a unique and cultural experience interacting with other indigenous tribes.

He attended Cornwall Aviation in Canada for an accelerated course from July 10-29th dedicating 3 weeks towards his “Instrument Rating” flying the twin engine Piper Seminole and the Redbird Simulator so he can return to his full time job in August as a “Paraprofessional”\Education Aide working with Pre K and K children.

His medium term goal is to enroll at Phoenix East Aviation, Daytona Beach to become a Certified Flight Instructor in June 2015 where he can share his passion of flying with new pilots and to build the flight hour experience to meet the new requirements for the Federal Aviation Administration “Airline Transport Pilot” License which is 1,500 flight hours.

The long term vision would be to attend Florida Institute of Technology for a Bachelors in Aviation Management program to help develop Dominica’s aviation industry, enhancing the island’s tourism product and economy.

Luke’s goal is to inspire Dominican youth to choose aviation careers such as air traffic controllers, pilots and flight attendants.

“We need qualified aviation professionals to create new opportunities and meet our full potential in a global industry of aviation,” he said. “My personal vision would be for Dominica to have more airlines, helicopter tours, fixed based operators offering services such as fuel, catering to private\corporate aircraft but we must have the skills and talent to make this vision possible, to be competitive”.

Luke has experience in the airline industry as a Flight Attendant for United Express flying on the Bombardier Dash 8 Q200\Q300 turboprops and an internship at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority in Airport Operations which are the foundation for more experiences to build a career.

“Dominica has its challenges with air access and I hope in the future to make a difference to change, improve this situation if the opportunity arises,” he said. “I would love to serve as an inspiration and motivational speaker for youth to share my experiences overcoming challenges, obstacles to fulfill your dreams, aspirations.”

He believes being successful means helping another person reach their full potential so that they can contribute to society.

He is is currently doing fundraising and networking to continue his journey to become a commercial airline pilot.