TMC: Tell us a little about your job?

Mr. Richley: My job is to operate a 737 safely to and from different cities around the world, through weather and other tough conditions. Sometimes there were icy conditions and thunderstorms.

TMC: What was your most challenging flight?

Mr.Richley: There was an emergency when the nose gear wouldn't come down. We were able to do that eventually and we landed safely. That worked out well but overall strategically one of the hardest airports to fly into is San Diego.

TMC: Why do you think San Diego is one of your hardest airports to fly into?

Mr.Richley: San Diego has a parking lot that sits right across the airport and that can cause difficulty sometimes. Also when there are heavy crosswinds and anytime there is a thunderstorm moving across the field and winds are coming from multiple directions, then it is challenging.

TMC: What do you like the most about your job?

Mr. Richley: I don't have to sit in an office. I'm free to have my thought to myself. I'm outside being with people. Moving all the time, going places. The schedule is good. I work 3 - 4 days a week and then I get 3 - 4 days off. So it isn't a constant 9 - 5 job. But, the only drawback is you're away from your home for 3 - 4 days.

TMC: What inspired you to be an Airline Pilot?

Mr. Richley: Growing up in San Diego in Miramar and also by the movie Top Gun in 1986 and that was a big influence. I was always a big Star Wars fan and seeing Hans Solo fly space ships and all that. It was something I always wanted to do since I was 6 years old.

(Fun fact-He shared with us his Star Wars pin that he wears on his tie...see pic!)

TMC: What was your favorite subject in school?

Mr. Richley: I liked science a lot. Math was okay, but I liked science much more.

TMC: If you were not an Airline Pilot, which other jobs would you had pursued?

Mr. Richley: I have a degree in Criminology. So I could have become a police officer or a law enforcement agent.

TMC: What would you like to tell the Mustangs who would like to be an Airline Pilot?

Mr. Richley: It is a wonderful career. You get a lot of time at home, even though you're away a lot. It also allows you to do a lot in life and it helps you support your family. It's a lot of fun. You can stare out of the window all the time. You can be at 36,000 ft. and stare at the Milky Way during the nighttime. You can see all sorts of things. You can see the Rockies or The Grand Canyon. You can go around the world and meet new people. It's pretty amazing!