Graduate Korbin Kane leaves lasting impact on Utah State’s aviation program

Over the past four years, Utah State University aviation student Korbin Kane has taken advantage of every opportunity to excel as a student and help lift up all those around him. From helping to lead the USU Flight Team to national competitions to recruiting new students to come to Logan, ​​Kane has been a leader and an example for the university across his entire collegiate career, according to his parents and professors.  

Kane’s passion for aviation has been lifelong. Since he was a kid, Kane has dreamed of taking to the skies and traveling the world, doing everything in his power to make that dream come true. 

“His journey started when he was four years old. He looked up, and that’s when he knew he wanted to be a pilot. It’s very rare that someone that young knows they want to be something and then follows through with it with every fiber of their being,” said Kane’s father, Thomas Kane. “Korbin’s passion helps him be dedicated to his craft. Every waking moment goes towards his craft and becoming a pilot.” 

In addition to his own interest, Korbin Kane comes from a family of pilots. His grandfather and uncle were both pilots for the United States Air Force, and his cousin is also a graduate of USU’s aviation program. Kane said these examples helped solidify his goals of becoming a pilot and guide him through the process. 

While working through the aviation program, Kane has helped USU’s Flight Team prepare for and succeed in regional flight competitions, as well as prepare for the upcoming national competition. The team competes against other aviation programs from around the country in various events, from ground scenarios and tests to flying skills.​     ​ 

Kane said he joined the team because a friend of his was the captain at the time.  

“I was a brand-new freshman, didn’t really have my license, didn’t know what I was doing, so I sat out my first year, kind of just watched from behind the scenes, let them go do their thing,” Kane said. “Then I became a licensed pilot, I kind of got the ropes a little bit better, kind of understood what my role could be on the team. I decided to join in my sophomore year. It was such a blast being able to compete against other schools, competing in different competitions and making myself a better pilot overall.” 

While starting out with the team, Kane saw an opportunity to give back to the team and help those around him by stepping up to become one of the team’s leaders. The team adviser and the professional pilot program director at USU Baron Wesemann saw characteristics early on that helped him know Kane was going to be a great leader for the team. 

“He was always very personable. He was willing to talk to people,” Wesemann said. “He’s willing to get out of his shell, but as he was a club officer, he would even make more of an effort to do that.” 

As the vice-captain of training, Kane was responsible for organizing and setting up training for the team. He also worked with Wesemann to provide feedback.  

“He would reach out to individuals on the team to find the best activity or event for them,” Wesemann said. “There are a lot of ways in which he would mentor others but also being able to prepare himself for the events.” 

Through his time with the flight team, Kane has learned to love being able to teach other pilots the skills they will need to succeed. 

“I really liked helping and teaching them because I had somebody who looked at me and helped me out, who really was a mentor to me. It was in my second year that I really started to become that mentor for others,” Kane said. “My goal was to help give back to the freshmen and start them on the correct path early and kind of be just that guy for them — in a way, to pay forward what I was given early on.” ​     ​ 

In addition to all of the work put into the flight team, Kane is also an ambassador for the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He said he takes pride in promoting the university and helping prepare the next generation of Aggies. 

“Being an ambassador has been a really fulfilling experience. Getting to go to different high schools to help recruit students are some of the most fun times and memories from school,” Kane said. “You remember how you were in high school, trying to figure out what you want to do, which college you want to go to? I love being able to help them with those decisions.” 

Throughout his time at USU, Kane has spent as much time helping others and working on himself. From the flight team to being an ambassador, he is always looking to lift those around him. 

​​​​​“At the end of the day, what it all comes down to is seeing the freshmen and other people I have helped, and seeing how happy they are, and getting to see them become better people,” Kane said. ”Now I see them, and they’re juniors, about to become seniors. I’ve seen how they’ve been able to work on their schedules and their time management. They’re becoming better, smarter pilots.” 

For Kane, seeing the success of those he’s mentored has made the hard work worth it.  

“It’s not that I did any of that for them, but I was able to help point them in the right direction and give them support,” he said. “So, when I see one of my friends or somebody I’ve helped pass a check ride or get a pilot certification, that’s what brings it home for me. Seeing others succeed is what drives me.” 

Kane will walk at graduation this spring but will finish his final classes in the fall. After he’s done, he will work in Logan as a certified flight instructor. Next year, he will become the president of the flight team and help them prepare for their national competition next spring.