For Dylan Myers, aviation isn’t just a career path – it’s a calling that took flight long before he could drive a car. Now a senior double majoring in Professional Aviation Flight Technology and Aviation Management at Indiana State University, Myers knew early on that he wanted to be a pilot.
“My sister played basketball growing up, and she had a teammate whose dad was a UPS pilot. Hearing him talk about aviation, I could tell he loved what he did. That joy was contagious,” Myers recalls. “Airplanes were a cool concept to me. The more I learned, the more I fell in love with it.”
That spark was further ignited when Myers’s high school offered an aviation prep program, allowing him to begin flying before he could legally drive. “Aviation has a thrill to it that I didn’t really see anywhere else,” he says.
In 2021, Myers joined the United States Army. After graduating from Basic Combat Training, he moved on to Advanced Individual Training, where he learned to maintain the Army’s fleet of Blackhawk helicopters.
“My journey in aviation didn’t just start in the classroom or cockpit. I have been a 15 Tango for about three years now,” he explains, referencing his military occupation specialty as a helicopter mechanic. After graduating from training, he returned home to Indiana to work as a mechanic for the 1st-137th Assault Company while continuing his military service.
His military experience not only strengthened Myers’s technical skills but also instilled discipline and a sense of responsibility – qualities that serve him well in both his academic and aviation pursuits.
When it came time to choose a university, Myers was drawn to Indiana State’s diamond fleet of aircraft and the welcoming, close-knit atmosphere. “The instructors are phenomenal. It’s not a mass-produced flight school. You get quality instruction and a fantastic safety rating. Everything I was looking for in a flight school was right here,” he explains.
Community has been central to Myers’s success. He lived in the specialized Living-Learning Community for aviation majors. The community helps students transition into Indiana State’s aviation programs, and students take major-related classes together. He remarks, “Joining that community was by far the best decision I’ve made here at Indiana State. I was surrounded by fellow aviation majors. We pushed each other to study and kept each other motivated.”
Myers arrived at Indiana State with his private pilot certificate already in hand. He quickly progressed through instrument and commercial ratings, always supported by a group of friends and dedicated instructors. He adds, “Finding a group of friends is huge in this field. You learn better in a group because you can bounce ideas off each other. There’s so much knowledge to learn, and you’re never going to learn it all alone.”
Now, as he works toward his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate, Myers is eager to give back and train others. “I love training. You’re bringing in the new generation of aviation – taking someone who’s never touched an airplane to flying by themselves in the national airspace system. That’s really cool,” he reflects.
Myers’s ultimate dream is to become a captain for a major airline, such as American, United, or Delta. He’s currently an ambassador for Republic Airways, which is the first step toward his goal. He would also like to return to Indiana State to teach students in Indiana State’s Flight Academy, located at the Terre Haute Regional Airport. With a multi-million-dollar fleet of aircraft to practice with, students like Myers receive high-quality flight training.
Because aviation is more than just the thrill of flying, Myers says. It’s about confidence and skill. “When you go on your first solo flight, it’s like driving a car by yourself for the first time. You get a sense of confidence, like, ‘Wow, I’m flying this thing. It’s me, and no one else.’ As you get better, it’s rewarding,” he shares.
Myers was quick to highlight the advantages within Indiana State’s Flight Academy: “The person-to-plane ratio is very good. You’re always going to get a plane. But the instructors are my favorite part. They’re knowledgeable, supportive, and truly invested in your success. They’re my role models. Looking back, I wouldn’t change anything about my time at Indiana State. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”
For Myers, Indiana State was the right launchpad for a lifelong adventure in aviation, and he can’t wait to empower the next generation to take the same journey.
