Emmitt D. Dickens

A native of Miami, Florida, Emmitt graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Science. He completed a distinguished career in the United States Navy after 22 years as a Captain (Sel) who served as Commanding Officerof Fighter Squad ron Fourteen Tophatters (VF-14), Commanding Officer of the Naval Strike Test Squadron (VX-23) and Chief Test Pilot at NAS Patuxent River, MD. He was a graduate of the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School, Fighter Weapons School (TopGun) & Certified FAA CFI/CFII.

He recently retired from Federal Express Corporation after 22 years as a qualified Flight Test Captain in the Boeing 727, Douglas DC-10 and Airbus 300/310 . Emmitt is a member of the Society of Engineering Test Pilots (SETP), Experimental Aircraft Assoc. (EAA), Kiwanis Clubof Virginia Beach, and Association of Naval Aviation. Designated as a Soldiers Angels ‘Angel’ volunteer who assist our nations veterans, wounded warriors, and deployed service members in all branches of service & their families.

An avid enthusiast of aviation and recent owner of a 1939 J3 Cub, he enjoys flying any type of ‘tail dragger’ airplane. Emmitt enjoyed participating in the restoration of antique airplanes: J-5 Piper Cub, 1933 Travel Air 16E, Stolp Starduster Too, Piper PA-12 and 1945 Stearman E75.

Emmitt and his lovely wife Margaret ‘Peggy’, reside at the North End of Virginia Beach. They have two daughters, Heather & Sarah, and a wonder ful son –in-law, Nick, who flies the A-10 Warthog with the Air National Guard at Martin State, MD.