Dylan Miller of Halifax, Pa., on the day of his first solo flight in November. Students in the four-year aviation program begin flight school in their first semester and will eventually earn a bachelor’s degree in leadership and organizational management and several flight certifications. (Photo courtesy of Aero-Tech Services, Inc.)

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

To read more profiles of student-pilots, visit https://emu.edu/now/news/category/academics/emu-at-lancaster/

Dylan Miller is a student in EMU Lancaster’s leadership and organizational management (LOM) bachelor’s degree program with a concentration in aviation. The Halifax, Pa. native recently flew solo for the first time on Nov. 5 with instructor Olivia Burkhart. As soon as his wheels touched the ground, he called his mom to tell her about it, then got Subway with a few friends to commemorate the experience. 

The celebration “wasn’t anything big, but you couldn’t knock the smile off my face,” Miller said.

Miller writes more about his experience flying and learning the aviation trade below. 

What interests you about aviation? What led to you pursuing this career path? 

I always loved to travel and see new places, and as a kid, I always thought flying was so cool. As I got older, I knew I wanted to be a pilot because no other profession came close to flying.

Why did you choose EMU for this leg of your education?  

It seemed like the perfect fit for me. Being able to go through flight school but also get a bachelor’s degree was just a perfect package.

What was your first solo experience like? Anything like you expected?  

It was amazing and so freeing. I built it up in my head to be this spectacular experience and I wasn’t disappointed. Being in the air, I felt like the luckiest guy in the world.

What have you most enjoyed about the program so far? 

Besides flying, I would say the community. I have made a ton of really great friends there and it’s cool talking to them about flying. The instructors and teachers are very supportive and there is a great connection to the students.

What are your professional goals after graduation? 

I want to become a commercial airline pilot. Eventually an international pilot and really travel the world.

Discussion on “First solo flights with EMU Lancaster’s student-pilots: Meet Dylan Miller

  1. It is extremely satisfying to see Dylan reach this point in his life. EMU is another significant piece in his incredible journey! (Jeremiah 29:11)

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