Some careers are planned. Others take flight through inspiration. For Ian Cieslak, that inspiration came from watching his father, David, build a life in aviation.
David has spent the past eleven years working as an Aviation Records Coordinator at STAT MedEvac, but his connection to aviation goes back much further. A lifelong aviation enthusiast who earned his private pilot certificate in 2011, David turned his passion into a career after graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics in 2002. Over the years, he’s worked as an airline mechanic and remained deeply connected to the field he always loved.
Growing up, Ian had the benefit of seeing firsthand what his father did for a living and was no stranger to aviation, but it wasn’t always the path he imagined for himself. “I always enjoyed flying,” Ian said, “But it wasn’t necessarily something I had any career interest in.”
While that exposure didn’t immediately spark a career decision, it planted a seed. Over time, that seed grew, thanks in large part to David’s example and guidance. “He did inspire my career path, and more importantly, he showed me the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics,” said Ian.
Now enrolled in the Aviation Maintenance Program at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, Ian is carving out his own place in the aviation world. His journey is uniquely his own, but there’s something special about the parallels between father and son. Perhaps most notably, Ian is set to graduate from the same institution his father attended exactly 25 years later.
For David, seeing his son take this step is more than just a proud moment, it’s a full-circle experience. While the Cieslak family may not have a long lineage in aviation, in many ways, they’re building one now. What started as a personal passion for David has become a shared connection bridging generations through hard work, dedication, and a love for the skies.
Ian is currently a student aircraft mechanic at STAT MedEvac. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for him. The sky is the limit!