Prestigious Grads
PIA is proud to have countless accomplished, successful graduates with exciting careers. Below are bios of some of PIA's alumni and instructors who have used their PIA education and experience to do great things.
Mark W. Richter
After graduating from PIA in October of 1970, Mark Richter was immediately drafted in the US Army and served from 1971 to 1974. He was assigned to Pershing Missile Battalion in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, and was an instructor for the computer repair of the launch system. After several years of car and small aircraft repair, he then hired on with United Airlines in 1978 at O'Hare field. A temporary layoff from United in 1981 led him to Evergreen Airlines.
During his 3 years with Evergreen, he went from mechanic to station manager to airline representative, allowing him to travel to just about every state in the USA and country in the world. With Evergreen, Richter worked DOD (Department of Defense) flights hauling military troops to every corner of the world and monitoring the pilgrimage of Muslims in Africa to Mecca and Jeta. He notes that this experience was something he will never forget. Richter was recalled to United in 1984 and began a "learning experience next to none". His career with United included 10 years as a mechanic, 20 years as a lead mechanic (or crew chief as some airlines call it), and 5 years as a instructor for United teaching taxi run-up and autopilots for B727, B737, B737-300, B747-100, 400, B757, B767, B777, DC-8, DC-9, DC-10, CRJ 200, 700, 900, and ERJ-145, 700, and 900.
Richter concludes in his own words: "Going to PIA, working for Evergreen Airlines and United Airlines for 40 years prepared me for the job I always wanted to have, an FAA Aviation Inspector. I retired from United and went to work for the FAA in 2007 where I am currently employed at the Chicago FSDO (Flight Standards District Office). You can be what ever you want to be in life. Set a goal and stay with it. For those who are wondering what you get paid in the aviation industry, let me say this: I started with United at $3.42 per hour, and I am now at $51.20 an hour. Thank you for letting me tell my story." -- Mark W. Richter Aviation Safety Inspector, Federal Aviation Administration.
