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Taking Flight: Nate Otten's Aviation Journey

Inspired by his father's military service, Nate Otten is turning his passion for aviation into a career while breaking barriers and giving back.

A lifelong passion for aviation has put Nate Otten on course for a career in the skies. Inspired by his father, a U.S. Navy pilot who flew both fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft, Otten began actively pursuing aviation in high school and has since built an impressive resume as he prepares to graduate this December.

Otten earned his FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate in 2022, completing private drone contracting work before recently accepting a position as a drone pilot for Amazon. He also holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate with an Instrument Rating and plans to earn his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certification this summer.

Outside the cockpit, Otten has stayed actively involved both on and off campus. He is a member of the Maverick Maniacs and previously interned with UNO Athletics, operating the remote-controlled blimp during hockey games. He also volunteers as a tennis coach for Special Olympics athletes and serves on the Nebraska Cystic Fibrosis Adult Advisory Board.

Among his favorite aviation experiences are commercial cross-country flights, flying at sunset and hearing from guest speakers who have shared their industry experience in class.

After graduation, Otten plans to continue building flight hours through airline pathway programs with the goal of flying for a major airline.

"My advice to incoming freshmen is to fly consistently and find a good instructor," Otten said. "Those are the two biggest factors in earning your ratings and building flight hours efficiently."

One of Otten's most remarkable accomplishments extends beyond aviation. Living with cystic fibrosis, he is one of only a small number of pilots to hold an FAA First Class Medical Certificate with the condition—a testament to his perseverance and commitment to achieving his goals.

As he continues preparing for a career in commercial aviation, Otten is turning a childhood passion into a profession while proving that determination and dedication can help overcome even the highest obstacles.