I AM THE AMA
CHRIS WASIK
Major Airline Ground Operations
MODEL AVIATION: How did you become involved in model aviation?
CHRIS WASIK: I became involved in model aviation and aviation in general at a very young age. I got started by watching my grandfather build Carl Goldberg kits in his garage when I was about 5 or 6 years old in the early 1980s. I remember him building Senior and Junior Falcons and a variety of other aircraft. He was more of a builder than a flier, but he would always take my brother and me to the local flying fields in northeastern Pennsylvania to watch other people fly.
He would also take us to air shows in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and then later at the Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport. The old airport used to have an observation deck, and my grandmother would take us there sometimes to watch airplanes. In those days, the airport had mainline service, and we would get to see old DC-9s and 727s take off and land, which, at the time, was one of the coolest experiences any little kid could ever have. It also had a great impact on my future career endeavors.
MA: How has model aviation impacted your life and/or career?
CW: Approximately 22 years ago, while I was going to college, I got hired as a part-time cross-utilized agent for a small regional airline. The pay wasn’t great, but I found something I really loved to do. That first job was my start in the aviation business, and it led me to a great career doing a variety of things in aviation. I have held several leadership roles throughout my career and have worked as a trainer for ground operations, auditing, and in a maintenance department, to name just a few things.
I currently work for a major US airline in ground operations. Those early days that were spent in my grandfather’s garage were the catalyst for what my career would become later on, and I could never thank him enough for his inspiration.
MA: What disciplines of modeling do you currently participate in?
CW: I currently fly EDF jets with my 11-year-old son. He got the aviation bug early on and spends a bunch of time with me at the flying field. We also fly warbirds and some easy-flying, trainer-type aircraft just to stay balanced. He has an interest in internal-combustion engines; I might be getting out some of the old glow/gas stuff sooner than later so that we can explore that avenue as well. We like Scale aircraft more than anything, so most of our fleet consists of Scale warbirds and jets. I would love to do Pylon Racing again someday.
MA: What other hobbies do you have?
CW: We travel quite a bit and have been to a bunch of great places throughout the country. We will be traveling abroad soon, and I was thinking of trying to visit a flying field or two in Europe.
I also play music and have written and recorded a couple of albums with my brother in a band that we started back in the early 2000s. I still play, although not as much these days.
We spend a lot of time fishing on the coast of South Carolina. Fishing was big for me growing up, and it’s great that I live in a state where we can fish year-round and not freeze while doing it! We love sports as well and go to baseball games, both minor and major league, and attend several NASCAR races per year. My son is active in little league baseball, so we also spend a lot of time with that.
MA: Who or what has influenced you the most?
CW: My grandfather, without a shadow of a doubt, was who influenced me the most. He inspired me with aviation but also with the kind of man he was. He was a kind, gentle man who always put family first. He was the guy who taught me how to fish, got me interested in music, and so many other things. I’m glad I got to spend time with him toward the end of his life, and I know he knew how much influence he had on my life.
