My name is Korry Franke. 

In 1986, 5-year-old Korry Franke stared out the window of a U.S. Air jet and was captivated by the view he saw. 27 years later, Korry became the youngest captain then flying for United Airlines, a moment he thought was the finish line for the success he had chased. Over the following year, however, Korry came to realize that that moment wasn't a finish line at all; rather, it was the beginning of an even greater journey—one that would take an entire lifetime to achieve. 

The story of Korry's leadership journey as a new captain and how that journey changed the way he viewed success—and perhaps how you will, too—is told through his memoir, 3 Feet to the Left: A New Captain's Journey from Pursuit to Perspective.

Now, the airline pilot, author, and speaker merges his years of airline leadership experience with the creativity he's honed as an accomplished jazz pianist, the discipline he's developed as a two-time marathoner, and the real-world business acumen he's gained as a Penn State University MBA graduate to help people and organizations soar to success by learning to embrace their captain's mindset. 

When Korry isn't flying or inspiring others with his keynotes, he's usually hiking with his wife, reading books to his young daughter, or volunteering with charities such as United We Care, where he serves on the employee relief fund's Board of Directors. 


Korry IN THE NEWS

May 7, 2019: Korry sits down with award-winning airline blogger Brett Snyder of Cranky Flier to discuss 3 Feet to the Left and other industry current events. Listen to the podcast here.

July 16, 2019: Pilot-to-Pilot podcaster Justin Siems features Korry in an interview where they discuss Korry’s flying career path, his book 3 Feet to the Left, and what it’s like to lead as a captain. Listen to the podcast here.

August 18, 2019: Talent development and performance coach Andy Storch sits discusses flying, leadership, and 3 Feet to the Left with Korry on The Andy Storch Show. Listen to the podcast here.

February 17, 2020: Korry discusses writing 3 Feet to the Left and leading on the flight deck with Airline Geeks.

March 1, 2020: AOPA Flight Training Magazine features an excerpt of 3 Feet to the Left titled “Doubts Aside.”

May 15, 2020: Carl Valeri chats with Korry about what it’s like to be a new airline captain on his popular Aviation Careers Podcast. Listen to the podcast here.

May 26, 2020: Korry shares what it’s like to fly—and not fly—during the COVID-19 pandemic in this guest post on Brett Snyder’s award-winning Cranky Flier blog.


We succeed not in spite of our circuitous life journeys but BECAUSE of them.
— Korry Franke

Want to know more? 

Contact Korry today to discuss how he can help you and your organization take your results to the next level. 

Get Korry’s inspirational “Stories with Substance” delivered to your inbox once a month by joining the community here.


IMPORTANT NOTE

The thoughts and views expressed on this website and in the keynotes and workshops mentioned within it are Korry’s own. United Airlines has not contributed or endorsed the content in any way.