Aces of Trades: Passion for aviation led Craig Washka to Future & Active Pilot Advisors

GRANVILLE – Despite the hardship, he’s still hopeful, still working.

“As a young person, I loved the outdoors, my neighbors, sports, camping, canoeing, and kayaking,” Craig Washka said. “It was time to go home when the streetlights came on. I wanted to be a cement mixer man. I hadn’t considered flying planes yet.”

“When I was 12 years old, my dad took me to an airshow and bought me a plane ride,” he said. “I was hooked immediately and knew I wanted to be a pilot.”

Washka did become a pilot.

“I was a line captain in the props and Lears for a company called AirNet,” he said. “I wore many other hats such as ground and flight instructor, check airman, assistant chief pilot, director of training and then director of pilot recruitment and development.”

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Now 65, Washka grew up in Amherst, graduated from high school in 1977, then went to Ohio University to earn a degree in aviation technology in 1979 and a bachelor's in business in 1982.

He flew for years. Then life took a turn.

“I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2004,” he said. “I was no longer able to fly props or jets. I thought my life was over, but a new chapter had just begun. I met many supportive people who helped me ride in the Bike MS, raising money and awareness for the national MS Society. Many of these people became fellow bikers in the event and became known as Craig’s Crankers. These people also worked to raise money for my personal accessible van, which greatly improved my life and allowed me, with a driver, to get to all the places I need to go to make my life complete.”

Washka and his Crankers have raised more than $270,000 to date for the MS Society.

And despite his troubles, his career in aviation isn’t over.

“I’m currently working as a customer service representative with a company called FAPA,” he said. “I’ve been there about 15 years. The president hired me to help him after I was diagnosed with MS. It helps keep my brain sharp. I’ve worked with thousands of pilots and helped them find their career paths! My nickname is Captain JetJobs.”

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Louis Smith is president and CEO of FAPA.

“When Craig coaches FAPA members who are planning their next pilot career move, he adds a perspective and optimistic spark, which is remarkable considering the hand he’s been dealt,” Smith said. “I’m always amazed how his attitude is so contagious.”

“My goal is to look as forward as possible,” Washka said. “I loved being a pilot, but life certainly throws its curveballs, and I’ve learned the most important thing we can do is swing at them. I never thought MS would change my life the way it did, but I’ve been able to help many other people because of it. I love the positive way MS has affected my life by making me more sensitive to the needs of those around me.”

Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs — whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Aces of Trades: Passion for aviation led Craig Washka to FAPA