Westhill grad begins pilot training
A 2010 Westhill High School graduate and Syracuse, New York native is playing a key role in the lengthy and rigorous training process that transforms U.S. Navy officers into Navy pilots.
Ensign John Dillon is a Student Pilot with the “Rangers” Training Squadron (VT-28), based in Corpus, Christi, Texas, that operates the T-6B Texan II aircraft. As a Student Pilot, Dillon is responsible for learning how to safely fly and operate naval aircraft as well as having knowledge about how all the systems work on the aircraft.
“Being a pilot is very rewarding,” said Dillon. “I enjoy seeing the practical use of the things I studied and learned when I get to fly. It is challenging but a lot of fun.”
The T-6B Texan is a training aircraft that is powered by a 1,100 shaft horsepower, free-turbine, turboprop single-engine, four-bladed propeller, with a cruising speed of 310 mph.
VT-28’s primary mission is to train future naval aviators to fly as well as instill leadership and officer values, Navy officials explained. Students must complete four phases of flight training in order to graduate, including aviation pre-flight indoctrination, primary flight training and advanced flight training. After successfully completing the rigorous program, naval aviators earn their coveted “Wings of Gold.”
After graduation, pilots continue their training to learn how to fly a specific aircraft, such as the Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter jet, the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft or the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter. They are later assigned to a ship or land-based squadron.
Many of the pilots will fly aircraft which take off from and land aboard aircraft carriers, a unique capability which allows the Navy to operate anywhere on the world’s oceans. Recently, Navy attack aircraft operating from aircraft carriers sailing in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and from Middle East waters have launched hundreds of strike missions against terrorist targets in Iraq and Syria.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s squadrons with the newest aircraft platforms, Dillon said he and other VT-28 sailors are proud to be part of a war-fighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“There is a lot of camaraderie at this command with the students here,” said Dillon. “We are all competing for to opportunity to fly the aircraft of our choice, but we are all supportive of one another. The instructors also promote a great learning environment and push us.”
Jobs are highly varied at VT-28, according to Navy officials. Approximately 69 men and women officers and 15 civilian employees make up and keep all parts of the squadron running smoothly — this includes everything from training the new aviators, maintaining airframes and engines, processing paperwork, along with handling and flying the aircraft.
“Leading this extraordinary team of Naval Officers and civilians is an honor,” said Cmdr. James T. Sultenfuss, commanding officer of VT-28.
Serving in the Navy, Dillon is learning about being a more responsible leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.
“The Navy has taught me a lot about perseverance,” said Dillon. “It has shown me how to handle adversity and failure. It is all about the lessons that you learn and how you respond that makes you better person, pilot and leader.”
