Recommendation for KC-135 Pilot Position

To Whom It May Concern

I am one of the assistant chief flight instructors for the University of Oklahoma's flight program. I am also in charge of the flight instructor ground school and have been teaching said course for 7 semesters at the time of writing this recommendation. Owen Hollaway was a part of my 6th class during a summer, in which the instructor applicants have class 5 times a week for 8 weeks. Thus, I was able to become familiar with Mr. Hollaway fairly quickly. Based on that time with him, I would strongly recommend Mr. Hollaway for a pilot slot to fly the KC 135. I have no doubt he will succeed anywhere he goes.

During the course, I would consistently ask the class questions on the material that they had to present every day to practice their instructional techniques. I could always count on Mr. Hollaway to have the answer for me. His depth of knowledge on the course subject areas were constantly above and beyond the standard. To the point where I would have to dial him back at times so that class would not extend beyond our allowed time while he presented. His drive outside of the classroom to have the best material, and his willingness to help his struggling peers set him apart as one of the best in his class. A fact that led us to hire him as a flight instructor immediately upon completion of the course.

The applicants perception of the effort and competency of their peers sets the tone of the CFI course for everyone else. There is usually at least one individual that stands out from the rest in that regard and leaves everyone else playing catchup to meet the standard of the overachiever to not look bad. Owen Hollaway was that overachiever and made all of his classmates better for it. The CFI course is widely regarded as the most difficult course OU aviation has to offer (especially during the condensed schedule of the summer) by those who have gone through it. In the face of this, Mr. Hollaway excelled.

Respectfully,

Ryan Loveland
Assistant Chief Flight Instructor
University of Oklahoma