NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – U.S. Air Force pilot Jason “Mongoose” Dotter was recognized alongside five OU alumni and current KC-135 flyover crew members from the 507th Air Refueling Wing from Tinker Air Force Base, during the home OU football game against Tennessee on Sept. 21.
A native of Clinton, OK, Dotter was a member of the Pride of Oklahoma and 1997 graduate of the aerospace engineering program at the University of Oklahoma.
“My time at OU specifically gave me the academic freedom to figure out what I wanted to do with my life,” he said. “It exposed me to a diverse set of paths, and ultimately provided me with the jumping off point for what became an amazing career.”
Dotter is now an accomplished test pilot, combat pilot in the F-15E, graduate of USAF Test Pilot School. He has flight tested the F-15, F-16, F-22 and other classified aircraft, and is currently a lead Boeing Test Pilot on the F-15QA.
“Being a test pilot is an extremely demanding job, one that requires discipline and focus to be successful. It also requires a unique set of people skills, notably being the ‘translator’ between engineers and regular pilots,” he said. “But it’s also really difficult to express how intensely rewarding this job truly is.”
To anyone considering becoming a pilot, Dotter says, “I would encourage anyone, not just engineers, who think they might enjoy flying to try it out. It's not for everyone, but sometimes all it takes is one small experience to jump-start a career.”
Recognized alongside Dotter at the football game was Christopher Schneider, an OU graduate currently pursuing a graduate degree in mechanical engineering and son of U.S. Air Force Major Charles Schneider, as well as Dave McClarkin, Paul Mackey, Satoru Okada, Kaleb Chan, James Biggs and Joel Stinnett from the KC-135 flyover crew.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
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