PM360 spoke to Frank Kornely, Associate Director, Managed Markets Marketing at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, about what it feels like to soar through the sky.
PM360: We hear that you like aerobatic flying in your spare time. What made you want to take to the sky?
Kornely: I love the feeling of being up in the air and if I had wings I would fly, dive or spin in the sky. Last I checked I didn’t have wings, but I can fly a plane. Although I am encapsulated in a metal shell, it feels limitless. Flying is what I love to do the most outside of my professional life. I have been flying since I was 22, so it’s been over 10 years now. Time sure flies when you do something you love.
What makes you so passionate about being up in the air?
Although there are rules in flying, the sky is still open and free of traffic. I feel like a kid in the air just skyrocketing that plane into the clouds. It’s an exhilarating experience, I enjoy doing it on my own or flying with a friend. Sometimes being in a great city such as New York comes with a price, especially when it comes to traffic on the street. I love the idea that I can just get in a plane and fly over Long Island Sound, land, and be on the beach in just minutes. It’s a creative solution for how to get to my destination. That also applies to my professional life. It’s a way of finding a creative solution to sell in the market.
How would you describe the personal satisfaction you get out of taking flight?
There are certain activities that can bring out the best in people, like their competitive edge, sense of humor and strengths. For me, flying is like what a day in the spa or yoga does for some people. Work and personal life can be tough. Sometimes you just need a place that is only for you. For me that place is in a plane flying. After flying I feel relaxed, composed and ready for the next challenge.
How has your involvement with flying evolved over the years?
When I first started flying, all I wanted to do was to fly. I didn’t know how much this activity would affect me. I progressed from flying without an instructor to night and aerobatic flying. But lately I’ve started appreciating the history of flying. I’ve been trying to get my hands on old war planes.
What elicited this passion in the first place?
When I was a boy my grandpa gave me a model airplane that he flew in WWII. This little gift started me on my journey to fly.
Do you have any other interests besides flying?
I just became a father. It’s an amazing experience, and my daughter is the joy of my life. The little things she does just makes me so proud. Helping to raise her is a challenge in itself. Right now I think she (who is only seven months) is beginning to understand that putting sand in her mouth is not a good thing.
Are there any other hobbies or interests outside of work that you would still like to pursue at some point?
So I have the sky crossed off my list. Space or ocean exploration next? I would probably like to try scuba diving and see what’s in the water.
