From managing call centers, air medical flight operations, and even training thoroughbred horses, Jet Linx Pilot David Haller’s journey is full of fascinating turns. Dive in with us to learn more about his experiences in the cockpit, thoughts on safety, and advice for aspiring pilots.

As a winner of the Jet Linx Core Values Award in 2022-2023, and also earning the Jet Linx Core Values Ambassador Award in 2023-2024, Haller provides a perfect example of what success looks like as a private pilot at Jet Linx.

In this installment of “Interview with an Aviator,” Haller shares insights into his lifelong passion for aviation, his unique career path, and the mentors who helped him along the way.

tell us about your background.

I was born and raised in Omaha, NE. I graduated from Creighton Prep in 1980 and Creighton University in 1984 with a Bachelor in Arts in Psychology. After college, I worked in operations for over 20 years at two large BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) companies, West Corporation and DialAmerica, both based in Omaha. I’ve been married to my wife, Lori, for 38 years, and we have two grown children: our son TJ, who works for a private equity firm in Boston, and our daughter Mary, who is a Speech Language Therapist at Madonna in Omaha. Lori retired after 35 years of teaching elementary education.

when did your interest in aviation begin? why did you want to become a pilot?

I’ve wanted to be a pilot for as long as I can remember. My father was my first inspiration –he was a Naval Aviator and flew with one of the earliest jet squadrons off a carrier during the Korean War. Even after his military service, he kept aviation in his life by flying in the reserves and owning airplanes. He eventually owned an FBO at Millard Airport, where I started working the line and earning my certificates. While working in the corporate world, I continued flying on the side and earned most of my certificates during that time. Following in my father’s footsteps and doing what I love for a living was always part of the plan ­– it was just a matter of when.

describe your career path before coming to jet linx.

Before joining Jet Linx, I spent over 20 years in leadership roles with West Corporation and DialAmerica, running call center operations. I then moved on to AirMethods, an air medical patient transport company, where I worked for eight years as Vice President of Operations. My role at AirMethods combined my aviation background with my call center experience as I managed their dispatch center (similar to our flight operations at the Jet Linx National Operations Center (NOC)) and eventually oversaw 30-35 bases from Utah to Iowa. Working in aviation operations there gave me a good understanding of the Part 135 regulations and prepared me for the transition to being a full-time pilot​ at Jet Linx.

what are your thoughts on the safety culture at jet linx?

I’m really impressed with the safety culture at Jet Linx and feel supported at every level of the organization. Having come from AirMethods, where safety was also taken very seriously, I can see many similarities in how both companies handle risk assessments, safety calls, and emergency response plans. At Jet Linx, we do risk assessments before every flight, and the commitment to safety from leadership is clear and strong. RD Johnson, Jet Linx Vice President of Safety, and his team are doing a tremendous job and I believe they’re just scratching the surface on some amazing advancements for the future.

what do you enjoy most about your job?

You can’t beat the office views! I just feel blessed and fortunate to do what I love on a daily basis. I get the opportunity to fly with and learn from some great pilots who are tremendous people as well. We have amazing people on every Base and NOC team who are all dedicated to the Company’s mission and who I’m so grateful to work with and get to know. After being in leadership roles for 30 years, I thought it would be nice to just be a pilot, but I soon realized how much I missed it. I’ve been lucky to support some of our pilots at our Indianapolis and Omaha Base, along with ACE Pathway pilots on a daily basis.

what would you like people to know or better understand about being a pilot?

I think our team has great appreciation for all the positions in the Company, and no one role can be effective without the support of all the departments working together. It takes a lot more than the pilot to get the mission done. Our pilots put a lot of time and effort into each mission beyond the 1.5-hour show window and normal duty day. The planning and preparation can often start days in advance, coordinating multiple aspects of the trip from weather, performance, fuel planning, maintenance requirements, catering, and more. When we aren’t flying, there’s plenty to do to stay up to date, such as studying, training, and always looking to improve our skills and knowledge.

do you have a favorite flight route or any favorite destinations?

I enjoy going to Mexico, mountainous airports, and of course, some of the warm spots like Naples, Palm Springs, and Scottsdale during the winter months. I really look forward to any trips involving sporting events that I may be able to attend, especially Creighton basketball.

did you have a mentor that helped you along your journey to becoming a pilot?

Probably too many to mention all, but to name a few: my dad and some of my instructors, Mike Spencer, Brett Teten, and Phil Thompson. Though, I can honestly say I have learned from every pilot I have flown with here at Jet Linx, and I couldn’t be more appreciative. Some of the ones I was paired with early on who were so helpful were Jet Linx Pilots Clint White and Kelly McDonald. We have an amazing group of ACE Pathway pilots on the Citation XLS, and I have been lucky enough to fly with all of them and have learned so much. Jet Linx Omaha Pilot Toby Schneider has also been a great mentor for me since my XLS Plus Differences training and he’s a joy to fly with.

what aircraft are you typed on and how many flight hours do you have?

I am typed on the C56X – Citation XL/XLS and XLS Plus. This is my first and only certificate, so I’m still learning a lot and enjoying it. I have 3,200 hours of total flight time.

do you have a favorite aircraft to fly? or have you ever flown any unique or experimental models?

My favorite aircraft to fly is the one I fly for Jet Linx, a Citation XLS, and the one I own personally, an F33A Bonanza 2015T. My father owned a number of L-29s – a Soviet Union Jet Trainer – which were really fun to fly but burned too much gas.

are you involved in any aviation organizations?

I am a member of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). I still do flight instruction on the side and really enjoy helping pilots acquire certificates.

what is your best aviation story?

One of my Aircraft Owner’s employees had a dear friend suffer a brain bleed while in Seattle. She was not fit for travel via the airlines, so we were able to bring her home on the jet to a rehab center here in Omaha. I have followed her progress and just feel blessed to be a small part of her recovery.

what is something that people may not know about you? or do you have any hobbies you’d like to share?

I love to ski with my kids, but it’s getting harder to keep up with them each year! During high school and college, I was a Thoroughbred Exercise Rider (morning jockey), giving the horses their workouts and training in the early morning hours at the Aksarben horse track. I would also train and break two-year-old horses on the farm in Ashland, NE, during the winter months. I was 110 pounds graduating from college but could never cut enough weight to be a professional jockey.

what advice would you share with a younger pilot or someone interested in getting into the aviation industry?

Go for it! There’s a lot to love about flying, but it’s important to seek out mentors and understand all aspects of the job. Stay healthy because your ticket is on the line every six months at this level. I’d recommend exploring the military route if possible, as having someone else pay for your training is a huge advantage. If the military isn’t an option, look into a 141 program. Be patient, humble, and open to learning from those around you – you’ll always find pilots who want to help other aviators.