Dan Kasowski to retire after 43 years of service at UND Flight Operations

Dan Kasowski, director of aircraft maintenance for UND Flight Operations in Grand Forks and at the UND Aerospace Foundation site in Mesa, Ariz., will retire in May after a 46-year career at UND.

A reception will be held in his honor at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, at the Wings Café on the fifth floor of the Flight Operations Administration building.

Originally from Buffalo, N.D., Kasowski joined UND in 1979 as the second full-time aircraft technician hired by the University. He helped build UND’s flight training program into what it is today. Responsible for more than 160 aircraft in both Grand Forks and Mesa, Kasowski retires from a role he held for 31 years.

In 2024, he was inducted into the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame. The only other UND inductees are former UND president Tom Clifford and founding dean John Odegard.

Under Kasowski’s leadership, the UND aircraft fleet has been maintained to exceptionally high standards and remains one of the safest fleets in collegiate aviation. His team consistently earned the FAA’s Diamond Award, reflecting a sustained commitment to training, safety and professional development.

Kasowski also led daily flight-line services, helping ensure UND students have the best possible opportunities for flight training every day.

His impact extended well beyond the University through strong relationships across the aviation industry, including the FAA, the North Dakota Aviation Association, Piper Aircraft, Lycoming Engines, Robinson Helicopters, Textron, Garmin and many others.

Countless UND students and employees have benefited from Kasowski’s work and leadership.