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A highlight on 10 Tanker's Captain RK Smithley
Updated: Mar 27, 2021
RK’s first job fresh out of high school was in 1977, when he joined an airline ground school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Teaching all things travel, RK learned how to be a rental car agent, hotel management, airline customer services and reservations agent. Unsure of his career path, RK went into an industry that felt most comfortable to him; his family worked as truck drivers. After trade school, he joined Allegheny Airlines’ feeder operation, Allegheny Commuter, that operated outside of Pittsburgh. As a customer service agent, RK performed many functional duties, including deicing the plane, managing freight, loading passengers and cargo and ticketing. It didn’t take RK long to realize, though, that he belonged in an airplane cockpit.
While working as a CSA, RK lived at the junior base in Johnstown with two pilots, who rented rooms from him. These pilots mentored RK and guided him to begin the journey he’s still on today. After a little more than a year with Allegheny Commuter, RK moved to Daytona Beach, FL, ultimately graduating as a commercial pilot from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1983. From there, he began flying cargo aircraft overnight for UPS and DHL. Then, RK began flying corporate charter planes, a regular passenger included Arnold Palmer’s financial manager.
RK was hired as a direct entry captain for United Express at Washington-Dulles and in 1989, he joined World Airways as a DC-10 first officer. World Airways took RK all over the globe-from co-piloting cruise lines to sports charters for the NFL (Jacksonville’s Jaguars, and New York State's Buffalo Bills). This also included military contracts with the U.S Forces. RK flew into war zones during both gulf wars,
and Afghanistan. Eventually he ascended to the
position of Senior Director of Operations for World Airways.
After World Airways was dissolved in 2014, he was back in his corporate suit and flying sport charters. But his story didn’t end there, unhappy with where he was; he used his experience with the DC-10 to join 10 Tanker Air Carrier as a pilot. After 7 years, we’re happy to still have RK as a member of our family and are grateful for his contributions as a Captain and instructor in both the DC-10 and in the flight simulator.
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RK’s career is an incredible example of how aviation can take someone through completely different stages, from cargo and corporate flights to international, military, and sports operations. I especially liked the range of destinations and roles along the way. Crossy Road, a casual arcade game based on crossing roads and choosing safe routes, gives me a much simpler connection to the idea of navigating different paths.
What a fascinating career path RK had, from airline ground school to Allegheny Commuter. It's inspiring how he followed what felt comfortable. I even sketch little planes with Easy Drawings while reading stories like this. Wishing him many blue skies ahead.
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