In this episode, we sit down with Don Dubuque, a key architect behind the growth of UND Aerospace, to reflect on his nearly four decades shaping our aviation programs. Don graduated from UND in 1981 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Aviation Administration. From there, he built a distinguished career at UND, serving in numerous leadership positions including: Chief Flight Instructor, Assistant Director of Flight Operations, Director of Extension Programs, and FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. Along the way, he helped certify more than 1,000 pilots, many of them UND students and instructors.

Don also played a critical role in UND Aerospace’s fleet expansion—buying and selling over 300 aircraft, pushing the strategy of ownership over leasing aircraft, and establishi ...