Spring 2004
Vol.2 | No. 1

Other Lives

By Ming Tai

Photography
by Mike Ciesielski

Other Lives
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Michael Marino, Senior

Michael Marino’s hobby has taken him coast-to-coast for competitions, winning him merchandise and trophies, and even the offer of factory sponsorships. Wherever he is competing, his attention is always drawn skyward, to the helicopter he is controlling by radio from the ground.

A native of California, Marino grew up flying with his dad and uncle who are private airplane pilots. He started flying radio controlled airplanes in the late 1980s. About five years ago he befriended an experienced helicopter pilot who introduced him to helicopters and taught him model helicopter theory and building.

“During the first year I spent countless hours flying and building helicopters,” Marino says. “I went to my first competition that year, and I was hooked.” The copters weigh in at about eight pounds and are about three feet in length. Competitors are judged on their ability to control the helicopters through a series of flight maneuvers.

Marino will graduate from the School of Nursing with a BSN this May. His interests lie in critical care nursing, and he plans to gain experience working with critically ill patients. Eventually, he may leave his post on the ground and take his place inside a life-sized helicopter.

“My passion for helicopters and critical care nursing motivates me to pursue flight nursing,” he explains. “Critical care naturally lends itself to flight nursing, and my love of helicopters—full-size and radio-controlled—just sweetens the pot!”