1. Feet on the Ground and Phis in the Sky: Phis in Aviation
Dani Barto, Communications Intern
8/13/14
Since the 19th
century Phis have made their careers in flight. Among the earliest to do so
was Famous Phi William F. Durand, Michigan State, 1880, the first civilian chair of the National
Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, the forerunner of NASA.
Another Famous Phi, James Clifford Turpin, Purdue, 1908, made his mark on history as
one of the world’s first aviators, as well as the first graduate of Purdue to go into aviation. Turpin
was a member of the Wright brothers’ exhibition flying team which performed at the
Indianapolis Speedway in June of 1910.
During World War II over 20,000 Phis served their countries in battle, many as aviators
and servicemen in the armed forces. Phi Delta Theta thanks veterans from all armed conflicts for
their service and honors the memories of those brothers who entered the Chapter Grand while
serving their country.
Soon after the war came Neil Armstrong, Purdue University, 1955, Commander of
Apollo 11 and the first man to walk on the moon. The list of greatness goes on, but nothing
makes Phi Delta Theta greater than the men who honor it today.
Brothers grace every aspect of the aviation industry with their integrity and commitment
to excellence. From the ground to the sky, Phis work as airplane mechanics, commercial pilots,
Air Force flight crew, and more.

2. Retired Air Force Captain and Vietnam veteran Philip C. Beekley, Ohio Mu ’69,
explained that, though Phis are spread all over the world, they are united in “the common bond
of the bond, in addition to aviation.”
David Meierotto, Iowa Alpha ’98, the Campus Executive Director for the Aviation
Institute of Maintenance in Dallas, Texas, also spoke to the closeness that is inspired by the
bond, especially after graduation.
“Fellowship and brotherhood grow stronger the older you get,” Meirerotto said. “I now
cling to and look for those connections.”
Michael Juhl, Florida Mu ’08, a commercial pilot for Allegiant Air, said that he typically
sees Phis multiple times per week week, many in passing at airports and others at specific
aviation events.
“It’s such a small industry,” Juhl said. “Everybody knows everybody.”
With a large number of pilots retiring soon, Juhl said there will be a great deal of
openings for aviators entering the industry.
“If you’re lucky the airlines hire about 50 pilots per year,” Juhl said, adding that after
these looming retirements the airlines will hire about 900 people in a year.
“I think it’s always going to be a stable career path compared to others,” Beekley said.
Meierotto noted that a future for aviators with their feet on the ground is wide open, also
due in part to a substantial amount of retirements on the horizon.
“Many want to hang up their wrenches,” Meierotto said, “leaving more and more
opportunities open.”

3. Even in this hugely passionate industry, Meierotto said that there are more airplane
mechanic positions open than certified people to fill them.
According to Meierotto, the best thing for undergraduate Phis to do is to, “Look into their
options. Take off their blinders of what they think aviation is.”
A new way to connect with fellow Phis in aviation began with John Fazzini, Florida
Alpha ’66, the owner and developer of Ridge Landing Airpark. After graduation Fazzini found
that it was difficult to stay in touch with his brothers.
“We say ‘Phi Delta Theta for life,’ but I just noticed that in Florida Alpha everyone kind
of went their own way,” Fazzini said. “Phi Delta Theta has lifelong values of friendship, but in
reality after graduation it’s tough, everyone goes into their own field.”
“You go from boys to men together,” Fazzini said, but then “there’s this disconnect that
takes place.”
Fazzini kept in contact with one brother from Florida Alpha and always felt blessed by
that friendship. However, he was not content to leave the bond he had with his other brothers in
the past.
“It started with the fact that I owned some airplanes,” Fazzini said. After letting some
people fly the planes, Fazzini decided to create a LinkedIn group for Phis involved in aviation.
Since its creation on Jan. 27, 2012, the Phi Delta Theta Aviation Group has gained over
130 members, including younger members who are able to ask questions and gain job
connections in the aviation field through the more experienced group members.

4. “I think what I had in mind was to bring brothers together in a common interest and Phi
Delta Theta membership,” Fazzini said. “I can see being involved with the Fraternity in ways no
one even knew were possible.”
Beekley, Juhl and Meierotto soon became members of the LinkedIn group, and have
enjoyed the connections with other Phis that the social network has provided.
As a mechanic, Meierotto felt honored to be invited into the group, which was mostly
made up of pilots.
“It all started when I got an invite from John Fazzini to join the group,” Meierotto said.
“It’s just been a lot of fun.”
Beekley was also not a pilot, though he did some flying unofficially in Vietnam while he
served as a flight crew member in the Air Force. It was an invitation from John Fazzini that
brought Beekley into the LinkedIn group as well.
“The group added another value to my brotherhood, even though it’s all internet,”
Beekley said.
Juhl was very impressed by the group’s networking ability and the supportive feedback
he received from the brothers when he was searching for a new job.
“We’ve always been supportive,” Fazzini said. “In college you do anything for your
brothers, and when you leave school you always have those feelings.”
“Through this group I was able to see and reconnect with someone I have not seen since
1964,” Fazzini said. “And I saw him on LinkedIn.”

5. Through connections made and friendships rekindled, a number of get-togethers have
taken place with the members of the group.
One group member, Matt Lussier, Florida Zeta ’04, is the Airship Pilot at Goodyear.
Lussier posted a standing invitation on the page for anyone who wished to come tour the
Goodyear Blimp at their own convenience. Many Phis took him up on the offer, including both
Fazzini and Juhl. The brothers enjoyed their time with fellow Phis and the opportunity to take in
the impressive size of the Blimp.
Fazzini also mentioned a cook-out he had at Ridge Landing with a few brothers from the
group, and what a great time it was.
“When you get together it’s like stepping into a time capsule,” he said.
Fazzini has dreams of the group growing, beginning with an open invitation for all Phis
involved in aviation to join the group.
“Something that has probably never been thought about before is that these groups are
very influential in the lives of its members,” Fazzini said. It is such a big world out there, he said,
this LinkedIn group may be the best way to both become and stay connected.
To join the LinkedIn group, search “Phi Delta Theta Aviation Group,” in LinkedIn and
click “Join” in the upper right corner of the page. A request will be sent to John Fazzini to
approve membership.

6. Another way to connect with other Phis through social media is the Phi Delta Theta
Fraternity Facebook page. A post by the staff at General Headquarters requested information
from Phis involved in aviation, and GHQ received a great number of responses.