Encouraging the growth of a broad volunteer base is vital for any museum. When representing the legacy of an organization as vast as Northwest Airlines was, being able to call on many perspectives is essential to help us tell well-rounded stories and to connect those stories with today’s audiences.
In the past year we’ve brought several of our directors into these pages to share their diverse backgrounds in hopes of encouraging others to come on board. That tactic was effective in the case of our newest board member, Mike Vetter, who joined us this summer. Let’s learn more about Mike in this interview:
REFLECTIONS: How did you get interested in aviation, and what led you to Northwest?
MV: My father was an Army Air Force pilot in WW 2 flying all the cool fighter planes of the day. After the war, he stayed in the service, joining the Air Force in 1948 and retiring in the early 60’s. I was conceived in Japan in 1955 and at my mother’s request, my father was returned stateside where I was born at Selfridge Air Force base in February 1956, near Detroit (in later years, I lived in Detroit and flew to Japan!) My father passed away suddenly in 1966 and my mother moved us to a small farm town in Illinois to be near family and that is where I grew up.
Little did I know, the local airport at the time was the world’s largest Cessna Aircraft dealership in the world. Planes were being sold everyday to customers all over the country and even the world. Alton Airport (KALN) even had an airport restaurant and that was my first real job at 15 washing dishes for $1.60/hr. Wishing to move up, at 16, I received my driver’s license and was able to get a job driving the avgas and jet fuel trucks, fueling aircraft of all sizes. Working for Walston Aviation, I received a discount for flying lessons and soon soloed at age 16. Continuing on, private license at 17 and commercial and instrument at 18. These were the minimum ages to acquire these ratings.
I attended a local college, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE) and I was able to ferry aircraft for this dealership, building flight experience while going to school. I probably cut a few classes to take a plum trip or two! Upon graduation at age 22, an airplane was sold to a customer in Longview, Texas, and he needed a pilot. Single and looking to build more flight experience, I jumped at the opportunity and relocated.
When I started college in 1974, there was a huge recession and thousands of pilots were on furlough, including NWA which had hundreds. It was pretty bleak to choose the piloting profession at that time as all flying jobs were scarce and working conditions poor. I chose to pursue a business degree just in case this flying thing did not work out and received my BS in Business Administration.
Around 1977, the hiring started back up, albeit at a very slow pace, but things were happening! The Navy recruiter came to campus and promised me a flying slot out of college and I almost signed on the dotted line. Something told me to wait on signing and my plan was to pursue to airlines and if this didn’t happen by age 27, I could join the service and make a career as my father did. While in Texas, I started prepping to become qualified taking the Flight Engineer written exams and acquired my Airline Transport Rating (ATP) when I turned 23. Feeling qualified to apply now, I started to send applications to all the airlines and in May of 1979, I received an interview with Northwest Orient Airlines – and the rest is history!
REF: You were hired on at Northwest in 1979, just as the Deregulation boom began. What was your career path – strictly on the flight deck or did you get experience in other aspects of the business as well?
MV: My career path with NWA began in June 1979 as a Second Officer (Flight Engineer) on the Boeing 727. I sat there for 5 years as I slowly moved up the seniority list until things busted loose. In March 1984, I received a bid to the DC-10 SO in SEA and then the 747-200 SO in SEA in November 1984. Moving up to Co-pilot (FO) on the 747-200 in 1986 and then my first Captain checkout as B727 in 1988.
Things were moving so fast at that time at NWA, I was constantly in training every year for a new position; B757 CA in 1989 and A320 CA in 1990, being dual qualified on both aircraft at the same time. In 1995 I received a bid to the DC-10 CA in DTW! This was the big time, wide body Captain! My life changed the following year as I was recruited to become an instructor on the DC-10 at NATCO. Another upgrade came to the B747-200 CA in MSP in 1998 and the best plane ever, a 747-400 CA in DTW.
On this airplane I was a simulator instructor, operating experience (OE) instructor as well as an APD (qualified to certify new captain type ratings). Eventually, with the Delta merger I became a Lead Line Check pilot (LLCP) and member for the 3 engine ferry team for the -400.
Unfortunately, all things must pass and sadly, the -400 was retired by Delta in December 2017. I was fortunate to have flown a couple of the farewell flights and took a few to the desert where most of them are still in storage in Arizona. About to turn 63, I did not wish to retire yet and was trained to fly the Airbus 350-900. I finished my career as an A350 CA and took an early buyout from Delta in October due to Covid.
REF: You were able to see the world. What are a few of your favorite places?
MV: My favorite airports/cities is a short list. Hong Kong, especially the old Kai Tak Airport with the IGS approach to 13 in a typhoon was probably the most challenging flights I ever made. The city is especially fun, preferring the pre 1997 takeover days. London, loved the pubs and the culture.
Domestically. Honolulu was always great. At NWA, we flew 12 to 14 day trips in the Orient and it was always great going back into the States flying into HNL from Narita with the sunrise coming up over Diamondhead, knowing it was going to be a relaxing layover with good food and drink.
REF: Your LinkedIn biography notes that you’ve been busy with volunteer work – what kinds of projects and tasks have you been involved in?
MV: Retirement has not been what I expected. With Covid, everything I thought I would be doing is on hold. I do volunteer at a number of non profits. Here’s a list of them:
1. Northville Rotary: Past President, Foundation BOD
2. Yankee Air Museum: I skipper the North American B-25D to various airshows mainly during the summer months.
3. Counselor at Crossroads of Michigan in Detroit
4. Volunteer at Northville Civic Concern, a local food bank.
5. First Presbyterian Church Northville: Former Elder, Endowment Committee
6. NWAHC: Board of Directors
7. While not a non-profit, I own an aircraft appraisal/consulting LLC
REF: And that brings us to the Northwest Airlines History Center. How did you find out about us and what would you like to do on our team?
MV: Not sure how I first heard about NWAHC, but I joined in 2010 as a life member and saw the opportunity to become a board member in Fay’s column in Reflections. Some goals I’d like to see would be expansion of the museum, increasing donations and affiliating with related (aviation) and national museums, such as the Smithsonian family.
