Kieling, Harry J.

Harry Kieling has spent a career in aviation, flying over 50 years and having flown 70 types of aircraft, including F-100s in Vietnam. He has also been combat ready in the F-111, A-7D, OV-10, and O-2 aircraft. He spent 10 years flying the A-10, including two years in Alaska. During His last Air Force assignment, he flew C-12s throughout remote Alaska. He has been an A-10 fighter squadron commander and an Air Force wing commander.

After leaving the Air Force, Harry instructed in the aviation program at the University of Alaska Anchorage and flew Part 135 Air Taxi. He holds ATP, MEI, CFI, CFII certifications.

Harry previously served as Anchorage City Manager, FEMA Regional Response and Recovery Division Director, and as the Alaska Regional Director of the Office of Aviation Services for the Department of the Interior. Harry served as the initial and primary point of contact for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in DOI from 2006-2012 and developed policy and procedures for UAS operations and integration in DOI. He graduated from the US Army Raven A Unmanned Aircraft Basic Operator Course in November of 2009.

Harry is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of Far North Flyers, LLC (farnorthflyers@gmail.com), an Anchorage, Alaska based flight instruction and education company. He flies his own Cessna 185 on amphibious floats, wheels/skis, and floats. He is a past commander of the Elmendorf Civil Air Patrol squadron.  He is an active member of the Anchorage Downtown Rotary Club having served as Club President and District Governor.

Harry is a founding member of the Alaska Civil Military Aviation Council (ACMAC). He serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Alaskan Aviation Safety Foundation and hosted a weekly television show on aviation safety (“Hangar Flying”), which was broadcast throughout Alaska.