Dylan Miller, a student in EMU at Lancaster’s aviation program, poses for a photo after his first solo flight earlier this month. Students in the four-year aviation program begin flight school in their first semester and will eventually earn several flight certifications, as well as a bachelor’s degree in leadership and organizational management. (Photo courtesy of Aero-Tech Services, Inc.)

First solo flights with EMU at Lancaster student-pilots: Meet Dylan Miller

by EMU communications

Dylan Miller – a first-year student in Eastern Mennonite University’s new leadership and organizational management bachelor’s degree program with a concentration in aviation – has completed his first solo flight.

“At first I was nervous to fly a plane without my instructor by my side,” he writes below, but from start to finish “I was filled with excitement and pride.”

A resident of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, Miller soloed on Nov. 1. His flight instructor is Michael Hornberger.

He answered a few questions about his passion for flying:

Why are you interested in aviation, and when did you make the decision that this was in your future?

I became fascinated with aviation years ago while watching planes fly though the vast sky. After visiting the Capital City airport [in Harrisburg, Pa.] and getting a taste of what flying is like, I fell in love.

What was your first solo experience like?

At first I was nervous to fly a plane without my instructor by my side. However, I reminded myself that what I was doing was routine and nothing that I have not practiced. From the beginning till the end I was filled with excitement and and pride that I was flying a plane on my own.  

Did you do anything special to celebrate this big step in your career?

I celebrated by going out to eat with some of my close friends.

Why did you choose Lancaster at EMU for your professional preparation?

Lancaster at EMU provided an aviation program that was hard to beat while looking for alternatives near me. The environment, class sizes, and friendly staff made me feel comfortable being a student at EMU.

What have you most enjoyed about the program?

Practicing flying and learning new things while in the cockpit has always been very enjoyable. I have always enjoyed history, and the history of aviation can be quite fascinating. Even when I am outside of the cockpit, learning about aviation and physics can be mind blowing.

What are your professional goals?

My goals are to become a skillful pilot and earn my certificates and degree so that I can land a job in the aviation field that I will love.