Aviation

Earlier this month, the University of Georgia’s Aviation Club featured Army Officer Brandon Doston as the guest speaker for the club. Doston has a vast knowledge of aviation: from fixed wing to rotorcraft, land to seaplanes, Doston has done it all. Weaving his stories into a web of experience and advice, he inspired all listeners on the merits of the aviation industry, both military and recreational.

Doston attended Westpoint as a physics and chemistry double major. He maximized his collegiate time by becoming involved in various aspects of his schools, and he even worked as a research assistant at NASA. Doston knows his ways in and out of aviation. He initially trained in Apache helicopters which he flew while deployed in Afghanistan. Soon after, he transitioned to become the Commander of the Air Traffic Control Program which gave him the opportunity to experience the “other side” of aviation. Once earning his masters in aerospace engineering, Doston joined Naval test pilot school which was challenging, but taught him mental strength and dexterity. During his year there, Doston flew over 20 different airframes including fixed wing, helicopters, and gliders. After this, Doston worked as a test pilot at the Line Stone test center in Huntsville, Alabama. All throughout this, he flew recreationally gaining a variety of licenses including his private pilots, multi-engine, and seaplane licenses.

NASA involves Doston in many of its projects. He was put in charge of testing the new high-tech space suits for the Mars program which involves heads up displays and greater appendage mobility. The new suits are in the process of precision and accuracy testing where certain hand motions will act as a remote control for the drone. With the Artemis Program mission to the moon expected to come in 2024, NASA is looking for its next astronauts, and Doston is in their final considerations for the upcoming expedition.

Doston is very experienced, intelligent, and has been successful in the many avenues that his life has taken him down. Despite all of his major accomplishments and high prestige, Doston is the embodiment of a humble, servant leader. It is an exciting time to be in the aviation and space industry with all of the upcoming projects, missions, and technologies that will change the future to come. Doston’s many stories about both his successes and failures set an excellent example for pilots and aviation enthusiasts everywhere to persevere in their goals and never be afraid to learn from their mistakes.

By C/O'Donnell, Oct 2020