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Kentucky Flag Bearer

Steve Koch

Introduction

Steve Koch has been flying out of Louisville Bowman Field (LOU) since 1970 when he took his first lesson at age 16. He wanted to be a career pilot at that time, and obtained all his ratings including MEL, and CFII by age 18. After several years of flight instructing, and flying Part 135 in twin Cessna’s and Aztecs, an opportunity to join the family business seemed to be a better career choice. Koch Corporation, is a contracting firm specializing in noise mitigation projects at several major airports under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) part of the FAA’s National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.  They have projects in about 10 different states at anyone time, therefore an aircraft is a necessity to effectively operate the business. They have owned several aircraft over the last 20 years, and currently own a B55 Baron.

 “When I’m not flying business trips, I use the aircraft for Angel Flight missions quite frequently. Our company has been so blessed, I can’t think of a better way to give back than to provide free air transportation to patients and doing something that I love at the same time.”

Angel Flight is an organization where pilots provide their aircraft to transport patients for medical treatment. Koch received the Kentucky Pilot of the Year Award for 2001 from Angel Flight for the most missions flown by Kentucky pilots. He is the president of the Bowman Eagles Flying Club, a taildragger club at LOU and continues to give flight instruction. The Baron has also flown 66 Young Eagles at various Young Eagle rallies held at LOU by  EAA Chapter 110. The company started the Koch Corporation Aviation Scholarship available through AOPA.

 ”The Angel Flight missions and Young Eagles is the most satisfying type of flying I’ve done.”

Angel Flight Clients	Young Eagles

Koch is most proud of having the opportunity to teach his sons how to fly. They  both soloed on their sixteenth birthdays. The older one obtained his Private on his 17th birthday, and Commercial on his 18th.  He currently flies the ERJ 145/135 for Continental Express.  The younger one is working on his Private.

 “They are such great kids and have such an incredible passion for flying. AND I’M GOING TO BE A GRANDPA!! My wife is so excited she’s already bought all this airplane baby stuff.”

“My Grandmother passed away on September 11, about three hours before the first tower was hit. As the events unfolded that day and the uncertainty about our future loomed, I just kept thinking that God wanted to take her out of this ugly world just in the nick of time. In a sense it was comforting to know that she was in a much better place, which helped in dealing with her loss. I was at ground zero last month observing the final cleanup efforts trying to comprehend the amount of manpower and organization that  took. You have to see it to understand. I cannot even imagine what it looked like on 9/11.  I always felt I needed to do something to make a difference, but the massive outpouring of aid to the city of New York was so overwhelming they advised no more help was needed.  It is an honor to have this opportunity to make a difference by participating in this event. I will be flying in the procession of planes with my son C. J. as co-pilot. My wife Lynn, and daughter-in-law Merica will accompany us to Caldwell N.J.  I am grateful for all the help from my mother-in-law in helping with the media events. She used to be the weather girl on one of the local TV stations here and had her own morning TV show.”

When we use our talents and our aircraft for humanitarian purposes, it will demonstrate to the non-flying public that aircraft are so much more than just machines that provide a convenient form of transportation. We all need to do more of this to restore the public's confidence in aviation. I will be registering all flights I take over the next month.

Last Updated: 08/16/02. Copyright © 2002 Flight Across America