BNSF railroader can see his house from here

By PAIGE ROMANOWSKI
Staff Writer 

BNSF team member Jeremy Locke is a great example of someone who has successfully converted a childhood passion into an adulthood hobby that he has sky-high enthusiasm for – flying. 

Locke, a signal electronic technician, works the night shift in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he assists signal maintainers on overnight projects and helps troubleshoot signal concerns. 

Locke has been captivated by airplanes since he was a child. As he got older, he found himself spending time at his local airport, helping out wherever he could. Though he got his start merely sweeping the airport floors, he was happy to just be around planes. 

His fascination turned into aspiration, and soon after high school, Locke joined the U.S. Air Force. Although his role in the Air Force as a Munition Systems Technician didn't involve direct interaction with airplanes, the sheer presence of these magnificent machines around him continued to fuel his passion for aviation. 

After serving in the Air Force, Locke joined BNSF. Trains are pretty cool here at BNSF, but Locke’s heart still belonged to airplanes – and just four years ago he was officially cleared for takeoff. His journey to become a pilot began with just a single simple step. 

“I was sitting on the couch and decided it was time to learn how to fly a plane,” he recalled. “So, I took the Private Pilot Knowledge exam and then found a flight instructor who now happens to be a good friend.”

After three months of flying three times a week to get his private license, Locke took on challenging instrument training where he learned to fly through the clouds or fog, relying solely on his aircraft’s instruments for navigation. 

“I fell in love with the challenge – making the airplane go where you want without being able to see outside ” he said. “I didn’t plan for expanding my training past a private pilot license. I initially just wanted to fly to fishing trips.”

While the idea of flying to fishing trips remained, that priority was pushed back when he decided to study for a commercial pilot license. After another year, Locke checked off that box too – all while continuing to work as a signal electronics technician. 

His passion for flight continued to grow as he moved through the ranks as a commercial pilot – but something was still missing. 

“My flight instructor told me that instructors are the best pilots, and I told myself that if that’s what it takes to be the best pilot that I can be, that’s what I’d do,” he said.   

Three years into his aviation hobby, Locke passed flight instructor checkride and began taking students up on flights before getting certified to also instruct for instrument rating.

With five students currently, he feels fortunate to help them get their start in aviation. 

Safety is just as important in aviation as it is in railroading. Like at work, Locke begins his students’ lessons with a safety briefing, including the plan for the flight as well as emergency procedures. 

Locke goes up in a Cessna 172 with the student and demonstrates the course’s maneuvers before passing off the control of the plane to the student. After landing, he debriefs with the students on what went well and where they can improve. 

“It’s amazing to see them succeed,” Locke said. “On a student’s first solo flight, I always remember my own. It’s a huge milestone and you’ll always remember your first solo flight.” 

His enthusiasm for aviation is positively infectious! He has a knack for creating a safe and exciting learning environment, allowing his students to soar—both figuratively and literally.