Meet Daniel Bontrager from Merritt Island, Florida. Dan is an absolute unit & the kind of teammate & friend who naturally gets everyone pumped up for competition. He also organizes our aircraft recognition ground event practices for the squad. Dan placed 6th in the Ground Trainer simulator event at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region IX competition, helping us qualify for nationals.
A private pilot who is completing his instrument training, Dan joined the team in 2020 & is pursuing a degree in Professional Pilot Science. He also completed a separate A.A. degree last semester. Dan is a U.S. Air Force Reservist at the 125th Fighter Wing in Jacksonville, Florida where he works as a mechanic on turbofan engines for the F-15s.
Long-term, Dan aspires to become a U.S. Air Force pilot. He was raised in a military family which inspired him to discover his love for aviation at a young age. Dan also flew solo gliders during his high school years. His father launched rockets for the U.S. Air Force & still works in aerospace at Cape Canaveral.
Our Polk State Flight Team is accepting donations to help fund our nationals trip to Ohio State University in May. To donate, visit www.polkstateflightteam.com/donate.