Bill Dana - Chief Engineer

I enjoy jazz and flying high. Hello, my name is Bill Dana and I am a Chief Engineer at Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. I was an Air Force fighter pilot for four years and a NASA test pilot before I gained my present position. In total, I have 46 years in my career in the aeronautics field. When I am not working I enjoy reading about aviation history and I hope that one day I will be able to lecture on aerospace history. When I am not working I enjoy taking walks and reading. My favorite food is ice cream, my favorite color is green, and my favorite book is "The Caine Mutiny".

My educational background includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Military Engineering from West Point and a Masters of Science Degree in Aero Engineering from the University of Southern California. My sixth grade teacher had a strong influence on me in my career choice. We each had to build a balsa wood glider and a tissue paper hot air balloon when we were in her class. She wanted to inspire an interest in aviation and she did! When I was in grammar school I was a disciplinary problem, but always a good student academically. Socially I think of myself as average while in school. If I could change anything about my schooling I would have worked for awhile before I went on to get my Master's Degree.

To pursue a career in aeronautics I think that an individual needs a strong background in math and the physical sciences. When I was younger I set goals for myself. They were to graduate from college, graduate from Pilot Training, graduate from graduate school, and secure a job in the aerospace industry.

I learned about different aeronautic careers while I was an Air Force fighter pilot. Today, I oversee research airplane safety. We work in teams and rely on one another's expertise. My typical day includes attending a pre-flight briefing and then at the end of the day a post-flight briefing of the flight of the research airplane. An aeronautic career is important to me because it is what I do well.

I grew up in Bakersfield, California. I have one sister who is a business woman. Growing up in the area that I did definitely influenced my career path. I had a natural interest in airplanes and I pursued that interest. My family growing up were not particularly supportive of the career choice I was making. They thought being a test pilot was dangerous. Today I am married and my wife is a third grade teacher. I have three girls ages 35, 32, and 29. I have one son who is 33 years old.

An aeronautical career effects the world in which we live by making our country safer and making our world smaller. I would recommend an aeronautic career to a young person because they can make a difference.

Questions for Bill Dana:

What is your educational background?

B.S. Military Engineering, West Point
M.S. Aero Engineering, University of Southern California
What was your background and career path to your current position?
Air Force fighter pilot, NASA test pilot.
Do you have any aviation related hobbies?
I like to read aviation history books.
How did you come to be in the career you're in now?
Pursued a natural interest.
Who do you think influenced you in your career choice?
My sixth grade teacher had each student build a balsa glider and a tissue paper hot air balloon.
What are you doing now? What is your title? What are your primary duties?
Overseeing research airplane safety. Chief Engineer.
What would you change about your schooling if you could?
Would have worked some before getting my Master's Degree.
Do you feel that women and men are treated equally during their schooling? What about people of color and men?
I think women and people of color are assumed to be less gifted. Many of them are able to disprove this with opportunities offered today.
What kind of skills do you think people should have if they want a career in aeronautics?
Strong background in math and the physical sciences.
In choosing a career in aeronautics do you usually work alone or do you work in teams?
In teams.
How did you learn about different aeronautic careers?
Four years as United States Air Force pilot.
If you could, what would you have changed in your career path?
Nothing.
Do you think that you'll stay in the career you've chosen?
I have been in it 46 years already.
Did you have any other types of jobs than the one you have now?
I have worked as a test pilot and now I am an Engineer.
What is your typical day like?
I attend pre-flight briefings, and then at the end of the day post-flight briefings of the flight of a research airplane.
Is your career rewarding to you?
Yes!
When you were younger did you set goals for yourself? What were these goals? Do you still set goals?
  1. Graduate from college.
  2. Graduate from Pilot Training.
  3. Graduate from graduate school.
  4. Get a job in the aerospace industry.
What are some of your strongest/favorite skills?
Flying an airplane.
Do you have any aviation-related hobbies?
I read aviation history books.
Why is an aeronautic career important to you?
It is what I do well.
How does an aeronautic career effect the world we live in?
It makes our country safer, and it makes the world a smaller place to live in.
Would you recommend an aeronautic career to a young person?
Yes!
What is the best/most fun thing about your job?
Having a flight research program and safety program.
What is the worst/least fun thing about your job?
Having a research airplane that I am responsible to crash.

Last modified: Sat Apr 25 10:17:21 PDT 1998