“Everyone who aspires to have the freedom of the birds should learn how to fly a plane,” Malcolm Van Kirk, 66, local pilot said.

Van Kirk is a 6 foot tall stalky 200 pound man. He has pepper and salt hair. Behind his circle-framed glasses are the strong piercing blue eyes of a man with no fear and no regrets. His positive outlook on life shines through every word he speaks.

Van Kirk, is a contractor, assistant manager at Crisswell Chevrolet, shuttle driver for the Frederick airport and business owner. He is no stranger to the world of business. Van Kirk has owned a grocery store, catering company, and a pizza delivery business.

Every morning he rises at 4:30 a.m. and goes to bed at midnight. In the time that he is awake this ambitious man is also a pilot.

Becoming a pilot comes to no surprise to those who know him. He is constantly giving back to his community and looking for new adventure at every turn. Mr. Van Kirk received a MA in Education and he has used this degree to give others the tools to feel free in the air.

“Just reach for the stars,” he said. Van Kirk has always been a daring man. Behind his rosy cheeks is the face of a man who has experienced life at a different height than most.

Through sunshine to high winds and thunderstorms, nothing can keep Van Kirk from flying.

Van Kirk started flying 63 years ago next to his dad. They flew for recreation together. In 1974 Van Kirk and his brother Steve started their rare collection of planes. Through this bonding experience they collected four planes.

Like many other people before him, Van Kirk has his own source of inspiration to fly through the white clouds. “My brother Steve was my flight instructor. He is my inspiration,” he said.

This pilot is not shy about his rare collection: a Piper J-3P, Fairchild PT23, Douglas DC-3 and a Cessna 9172. He has traveled all around the United States to obtain each piece of history. From local Frederick to Wisconsin, no plane is too far away to add to his collection.

Unlike some pilots, Van Kirk works on both cars and planes. However, he works with caution on every form of transportation his hands and eyes meet. “You need to be more careful with planes---there is no stopping in the air,” he said.

Van Kirk is never one to rule out fun in the world of work. To some people, a bigger commercial plane means more power in the sky. To him, a smaller plane means more fun and more freedom.

All of his planes are rare, but the rarest of all is the 1939 Piper J-3P. “It held the world record for endurance. 63 hours and 54 minutes in 1938. It’s a special plane,” he said.
Van Kirk has not only flown over the United States but he has flown outside the country as well. He has seen the beautiful waters of New Zealand, the peaceful land of Canada, South Africa and Australia.

“I took a great trip on floats (seaplane) to the Arctic Circle. The scenery was great! I remember the caribou herd like it was yesterday,” he said.

Women’s Aviation Day was earlier in the month and received national attention as women were introduced to the wonderful world of flying. Although in some cultures and schools women are discouraged to take up flying, Van Kirk has a much different opinion.

“Some of my best flight instructors were women and the event was very well attended,” he said.

Van Kirk has had many achievements during his flying career. He worked for Cessna Aircraft for four years and then set up 51 Cessna Pilot centers in Maryland, Maine and all of Canada.

From 2001 to present day he has been giving back to the community. He teaches aspiring pilots how to fly.

Every pilot has a hero, and Van Kirk’s hero is Charles Lindbergh who had the nickname of Lucky Lindy. Lindbergh flew across vast oceans in a single-seat, single-engine plane. He earned a Medal of Honor for his achievements. It just so happens that Van Kirk also describes himself as lucky.

“If I described my personality in one word it would lucky because though everyone can fly, few do!” he said.

Van Kirk does not just teach to spend extra time in the sky. He instructs to get people involved in the exotic world of flying. “The joy of knowing you did a good job and created a safe pilot is the reward,” he said.

The support of his fellow pilots, friends and mentors keep this pilot on course. With his spirits high and his smile wide there is no doubt that Malcolm Van Kirk is a local hero of Frederick.

Great attention to detail and a good support system are needed to make a dream of flying in the air a reality. Although many pilots may get discouraged while training for their license, Van Kirk has some simple and wise advice. “Just do it!” he said.

Malcolm Van Kirk is possibly one of the most daring, free-spirited giving individuals a flying student will encounter. When a student arrives to meet this cheeky individual, they can be sure to expect a few stories of oceans, people and places they have yet to see.

“The fun at the end of the flight keeps me driven to reach my goals,” Van Kirk said.

What can the world expect from Van Kirk in the years to come? He is reaching for a new height in his personal life. “At this point I’m really trying to live the rest of my life in good spirit and love,” he said.