The students in the DLS Aviation Science class recently heard from DLS Alumnus Anthony “Tony” Montana, Class of 2011. 

A pilot now with Delta Airlines, Montana served as a guest instructor in Mr. Greg Hoskins’ class for two days in early November, talking about cross-country flight planning 

“Tony was a great student, and we have kept in touch,” Hoskins said. “His piloting experience really made an impact on the class as he discussed the real world of planning flights.” 

Montana also spoke about aviation careers and career progression. 

The one-semester Aviation Science course is new to the DLS curriculum and available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. 

The course has five units, each four weeks long, and the Navigation and Communication portion is the third unit. The other units are Fundamentals of Aviation, Airspace and Regulations, Human Factors and Safety, and Career Paths in Specialization. 

Hoskins, a veteran science teacher, has developed the aviation units using a variety of resources, along with STEM Coordinator Mr. Scott Husken. Hoskins felt that Montana would bring a great perspective to the class. 

Montana explained how to build a flight plan and run the calculations associated with the plan. 

“It was a wonderful experience,” Montana said. “The boys seemed very interested. As a guy who spends his life flying, seeing the passion and excitement from the boys definitely rejuvenated my passion for the field.”

He began his piloting career in 2015 and flew with various airlines before joining Delta in 2023.

Growing up, Montana had a passion for model airplane building, and also constructed remote control models. 

He attended St. Lawrence Grade School in Utica, and decided to attend DLS because of a DLS family in his neighborhood. “The dad had good things to say about De La Salle,” Montana recalled. “When I attended the DLS Open House house with my parents, we all liked the school.”

Montana was an active student at De La Salle, and a member of the school’s Link Crew. He was also a Boy Scout and earned the Eagle Scout recognition, and a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He studied in the flight program at Western Michigan University. 

Montana volunteers a lot with high schools and colleges, as part of the education program of the Airline Pilots Association. 

He lives in Macomb Township, and is a first officer Pilot for Delta, typically flying a domestic route from Detroit to Charlotte (NC), St. Louis, and Minneapolis. “My schedule and route depends on demand,” Montana said. He may fly four-five days a week. 

He also enjoys the perks of the job, and has traveled to Hawaii. “There are a lot of family benefits.”