Captain Kolman (Al) Simko was born August 7, 1919 in Merrill, Michigan and raised in Flint. He attended the University of Michigan, and then joined United Airlines in 1940; he was promoted to captain in 1943. He commanded flights on almost every type of equipment flown by United Airlines, retiring on the Boeing 747.

He also served in such positions as instructor and check pilot, flight manager, and consultant pilot to North American Aviation and Viasa Airlines in Venezuela. He was active with the Airline Pilots Association, serving as Council Chairman for Chicago and Los Angeles. He flew Military Airlift Command flights for United during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

On July 1, 1979, he officially became the No. 1 pilot flying for United, and thereby the most senior pilot in the United States. At that time he was also credited with being the No. 1 pilot for any airline in the world.

He retired from United in 1979 after almost 40 years of service. He was a member of the Airline Pilots Association, Retired United Pilots Association (RUPA), Gooney Birds, Quiet Birdmen and the Seattle Museum of Flight.

Captain Simko died March 4, 1998.