Success Stories
Gustafson
Reduces Students’ Stress
Story by Chris Cunningham
A black and white photograph in Bruce Gustafson’s office shows him
with Vietnam War-era Air Force buddies in Southeast Asia, leaning against
a B-52 bomber he flew over the weapons route of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Another snapshot depicts him next to an A-26 fighter aircraft, which he
navigated on interdiction runs over the Laotian border.
These days, Lane students who fly under Gustafson’s supervision benefit from his finely-honed piloting skills. “There’s no question that’s he’s flown many aircraft,” says graduate Amber Bleadon. “He makes it comfortable in stressful situations.”
Gustafson earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Oregon before going into the military. During his 22-year career in the Air Force, Gustafson completed tours in Turkey, Thailand and Vietnam, and was stationed in Virginia, Georgia, Texas and California. But he knew he wanted to return to his native Eugene following military retirement.
After enrolling in the Flight Technology program in 1983 to receive his own civilian instructor ratings, Gustafson set his sights on teaching at Lane. “I wanted to do what I’m doing right now. I wanted to pass that knowledge on to young people who wanted to learn how to fly.”
