From the Classroom to the Cockpit

Every career path has its unique challenges, but for individuals like Jack van Dyke, a graduate of the University of Minnesota’s Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics program, the journey has been nothing short of an exciting adventure. From childhood dreams to cutting-edge flight training with the U.S. Navy, van Dyke’s story reflects a dedication to both education and service.

Van Dyke grew up in Minnesota, where he completed his high school education before moving on to the University of Minnesota. There, he pursued a degree in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics while simultaneously engaging in the ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) program, a decision that would shape the trajectory of his life. He also found time to participate in the university’s triathlon team, balancing his academic and athletic pursuits.

“My dad worked for General Dynamics, so I was always around the technology and the incredible things that aerospace engineering creates,” van Dyke explained. “I was fascinated by documentaries on astronauts and the way the world of aerospace worked. It just seemed natural to me to want to study engineering—specifically aerospace.”

Choosing the University of Minnesota was a practical decision, too. The proximity to home made it an appealing option, and the ROTC scholarship secured the path.

The AEM program at the University of Minnesota proved to be pivotal in shaping van Dyke’s future. The in-depth knowledge and practical applications he gained in the classroom became key assets when transitioning into his military aviation career.

“The concepts we learned in AEM—like lift and aerodynamics—were exactly what I applied when I became a pilot. In fact, learning how different engines work and how they interact with the aircraft was super beneficial. The technical knowledge I gained from understanding things like compressor stalls and systems information was a huge advantage in flight school,” van Dyke said. A key takeaway from his education was the ability to sift through large amounts of technical data. Aerospace engineering instilled strong study habits in van Dyke, skills that directly transferred to flight school’s intensive learning environment.

“Flight school was intense, with information coming from all directions, but my background in aerospace helped me develop a method for organizing and synthesizing all the data I needed to process, which was extremely helpful.”

In addition, his academic training helped him assist peers who didn’t have the same background, especially when it came to explaining complex aerodynamic concepts.

After graduation, van Dyke was commissioned into the Navy. The transition from the University of Minnesota to the Navy’s aviation program seemed like a natural progression for him, considering he had already selected his career path by the time he entered his senior year of college. However, that doesn’t mean there weren’t hurdles. In fact, the pilot pipeline involved long periods of waiting, during which van Dyke kept his passion for aerospace alive by working on personal projects, including building drones.

While he was waiting for his training to progress, his time outside of formal instruction allowed him to stay engaged with the aerospace world and further develop his technical expertise.

Now, van Dyke is deep into his flight training and has completed his primary training with the T-6, a turboprop aircraft, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Afterward, he selected jets as his future career path, meaning he will be trained on the T-45, the Navy’s advanced jet trainer, before moving on to more advanced aircraft such as the F-18, F-35, or the EA-18 Growler.

“When I started flying the Cessna, it was a pretty slow, basic plane. Moving to the T-6, with 1,000 horsepower and ejection seats, was a huge leap. Then the T-45 will take me to jet speed and advanced avionics, which is incredibly exciting. It’s like the progression keeps getting more intense,” van Dyke shared.

His background in AEM makes him uniquely suited for this role. “The aerospace engineering concepts of aerodynamics, systems, and data handling all prepared me to handle these advanced machines. It’s truly the greatest career out there, and I feel like everything I’ve done has set me up to succeed.” Looking back on his time at the University of Minnesota, a few moments stand out to van Dyke as particularly formative.

“My flight dynamics professor, who was a Navy officer, really shaped my perspective on both aerospace engineering and aviation. He gave me a deeper understanding of the practical application of flight principles,” he recalled. “Also, my Senior Design project was a standout experience. We were working with Northrop Grumman on designing an interceptor missile to target drones. Now, as I’m preparing to fly jets in the Navy, it’s surreal to think I was working on systems that could one day be used on the very aircraft I’ll be piloting.”

As a successful student and now a Navy pilot, van Dyke has some valuable advice for current AEM students who aspire to follow a similar path.

“First, go to class. That’s the foundation of everything. At the same time, don’t limit your learning to just the classroom. Get involved in activities that can expand your knowledge in areas like electronics, control systems, or even building drones,” he advises.

He also emphasizes the importance of understanding the material on a deep level, not just for exams. “You want to grasp the fundamental concepts of what’s happening, not just memorize equations. That deep understanding will help you later, especially when things get more complex.”

With a strong foundation in aerospace engineering, he is poised to take on the challenges of military aviation and continue pursuing his dream.