Two CSC alumni named to Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame

In 1982, Haynes began work as a Certified Flight Instructor in Chadron. Upon earning her master’s degree from CSC in 1985, Haynes became instrumental in forming the Airway Science program and served as the faculty member for the program until it ended in 1999.

Haynes taught many local students, including Rickenbach and several others who continued on with a career in aviation. In addition to instructing, she has experience with aerial photography, fire spotting, aerial surveillance, and aircraft ferrying. She has also provided numerous plane rides, airport tours and classroom presentations for youth. Haynes spearheaded the 2018 Nebraska State Fly-In at the Chadron airport, a two-year volunteer commitment.

Rickenbach became Haynes’ student in 1985 and earned his private license in 1988. He went on to introduce aviation to many pilots, help them earn their ratings, and promote their continued development in aviation, according to his nomination. He died in 2014 from colon cancer.

He graduated from CSC in 1994 and continued flight training at the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Metro State College in Denver, Colorado, earning all single and multiengine ratings as well as his CFI. He worked in the Chadron area as a flight instructor, weather observer and flew for the Department of Agriculture.

In 1996, Rickenbach flew charter and air ambulance throughout the northern U.S. and earned his Air Transport Rating which qualified him to apply for a position with Frontier Airlines in Denver. He was hired by Frontier and became a captain flying Boeing 737s and the Airbus.