David Lanum is an airline pilot whose journey proves that big dreams can take flight from basic beginnings. Today David flies for Delta, but the path to that lofty seat started with simple curiosity. 

When David was a kid, he looked up at the sky and asked why? Why do planes fly? How can something so big and heavy ride on air? Even feathers fall to the ground. His family saw his interest and nurtured it. His parents brought the sky into his room, putting stickers of planes and clouds on his walls. Relatives gave him toy and model airplanes to play with. In every facet of his life – sleep, waking, play, family – he was surrounded by the possibility of flight. So he dreamed. 

His mom, Kimberly Lanum, searched for ways to turn those dreams into action. She joined Facebook groups to learn how one becomes a pilot. In educating herself about the opportunities, she discovered ACE, Aviation Career Enrichment, Inc. Founded in 1980 by pilot Julius J. Alexander, its mission is to introduce youth to the field of aviation. 

David began taking lessons through the ACE Weekend Academy. Since he was an avid football and baseball player – he was a wide receiver, pitcher and outfielder – weekend flight lessons gave him the chance to pursue both his present and future passions. As a person who wanted to do well in the classroom, on the field and in the air, his schedule was a demanding one, and as a self-proclaimed perfectionist, he demanded even more of himself. Having a positive mindset, a supportive family and work that he loved doing helped him stay balanced. 

Watch episode 3 of the Walker’s Winners Goal Getters podcast and learn about David’s journey from a curious 2-year old to a Delta pilot and the details along the way: a discovery flight at age 13; a solo flight at 16, and being a sought-after flight instructor in college. Watch and learn about the dreams that fly.

#TheDreamsThatFly #StayCurious