If you are one of the many Bachelor and Bachelorette fan, Jake Pavelka needs no introduction. He was the shy handsome commercial-airline pilot, who was rejected by Jillian Harris in the fifth season of the Bachelorette. Pavelka made a stunning reappearance later in the show, to warn the trusting Harris that bad boy Wes Hayden had a girlfriend and was not really into her.

But Pavelka is more than just a rejected bachelor, he is also a fan favorite who showed courage and chivalry to the woman he loved, when he didn't want to see Harris get her heart broken, by a man he believed was seeking fame and fortune, not love.

Pavelka was originally offered up to ABC to be The Bachelor, by members of his church who hoped to promote a moral bachelor for the show. Jason Mesnick was chosen instead, but ABC contacted Pavelka later to see if he would be willing to be on The Bachelorette.

In September 2009, Pavelka was named the upcoming bachelor on the reality television series, The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love. The series began airing in January 2010.

Early Years

Growing up in Denton, Texas, Pavelka pursued a love of flying by earning his own money doing odds and ends, to pay for lessons at the young age of 12. A quick learner, he began flying solo at the age of 16. Pavelka admits to growing up, one of three boys, in a close family, and considers himself to have been a geeky nerd. His mother, Sallie Pavelka, is a nurse and raised Pavelka and his brothers Jason and Matthew to have a sensitive side.

Professional Years

Not long after Pavelka completed his studies at the University of North Texas and Embry Engineering University for Aerospace Science, he became an airline captain. He began flying for Atlantic Southeast Airlines in 2000.

Pavelka played the role of the young Chuck Norris on the series Walker, Texas Ranger, under the stage name of Jake Landrum. He also acted in local commercials.

Pavelka currently owns a limousine company.

Personal Life

Pavelka admits that his love life has not been a success, and a five year involvement ended in 2007. He also purchased a home, while involved in a two-year relationship with Christina Haney. The relationship ended, but they remain friends.

His Bachelor Experience

It has had a bit of a rocky history in the past. There's no reason to dance around that. They were doing everything they could to find the perfect guy for Jillian – to find that 60-year marriage. When you see what's involved in casting, they don't cast for a show, they cast for a relationship. It's quite contrary to what most people think.

Pavelka reveals a bit about his experience without giving too much away when he says,

I went into it with very basic expectations and I was open to anything that was going to happen, any suggestions the crew had along the way," he says. "I went into it on cloud nine, and I never came off cloud nine."