University of Illinois, Dec. 10, 2006 – Learning to solo an airplane before earning a driver’s license is one of many accomplishments Eric Danwin has achieved along the road to pursing his passion in aviation. He flew at age 16 and earned his Private Pilot certificate at 17. While flying started as a hobby, by the end of high school, it was soon a promising career path.
Danwin was first exposed to aviation through his dad, an Air Force and airline pilot. They visited numerous air shows including several EAA Fly-In Conventions in Oshkosh, Wis. Another natural hobby included sketching airplanes, which led Danwin to the EAA Young Artist Competition, receiving honorable mention.
“My Young Eagles flight took place on my 12th birthday. My dad was going to drive me to school, but instead we went to the DuPage Airport and flew in an old C-152,” Danwin said.
He remembers the experience being a lot of fun, but hard to see over the instrument panel.
The first flight time Danwin logged was in a Piper Cub saying, “It was so different than the Cessna being a tail dragger, having the open sides and then just flying out of a grass strip.”
After taking lessons on the weekend throughout high school, Danwin took his new pilot’s certificate and decided to attend the University of Illinois majoring in aviation.
“Taking all the aviation classes at the university made me take flying much more seriously and has definitely turned it into a career for me,” Danwin said.
He also enjoyed being around other pilots from diverse backgrounds, leading him to the university’s Illini Flying Team, allowing him to compete at regional college events. Danwin has been a team member throughout most of his college career, participating in aircraft recognition and navigation events.
“Flying in a competitive environment was a big change and really helps you become a better, more confident pilot. It also allows you to meet and talk to aviation students from other schools,” Danwin said about the team.
He received his Instrument, Commercial, Commercial Multi, CFI, CFII and MEI at the University of Illinois, and during his junior year, became a flight instructor. He instructed at the university and in DeKalb, Ill., at the Midwest Flight Academy during the summer.
“Instructing is a very different type of flying. Having to explain and teach a maneuver or procedure to someone who knows almost nothing about flying really makes you think through things more clearly…” Danwin said.
He also said that earning his ratings through the aviation program at University of Illinois has made him more “ambitious,” like wanting to experience other types of flying and aircraft. Friends of Danwin’s fly gliders, which he hopes to learn more about in the future. After graduation, he plans to fly helicopters in the National Guard or fly for a regional airline. Eventually, he would like to fly for a major airline.
If you think aviation is for you, Danwin recommends you experience as many different forms of flight as possible saying, “There is a lot that aviation has to offer, and if you don’t enjoy one thing you may find something else you love.”
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Eric Danwin in front of a Cessna 340 at DuPage Airport. Since becoming a Young Eagle he has gone on to pursue a career in aviation.
Eric Danwin and two friends pause for a quick photo in a Boeing B-767 flight simulator.
Eric Danwin poses with his aircraft maintenance platoon last year, standing in the back row as the ninth person from the left. He hopes to one day fly helicopters for the National Guard.
For More Information
U.S. Air Force
DuPage Airport
Cessna C-152
Piper J-3 Cub
Instrument, Commercial, Commercial Multi, CFI, CFII & MEI
DeKalb, Ill
Midwest Flight Academy
Army National Guard
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