South Tahoe High School graduate Kyle Hauss is in the process of becoming a naval pilot.

Ensign Kyle Hauss is a student pilot with the Rangers Training Squadron (VT-28) based in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Kyle Hauss

“Being a pilot is something that is like nothing else,” the 2007 grad said in a statement. “I enjoy being able to experience things that most others don’t get to and it is a thrill like no other, it is somewhat addictive.”

The T-6B Texan is a training aircraft that is powered by a 1,100 shaft horsepower, free-turbine, turboprop single-engine, four-bladed propeller, with a cruising speed of 310 mph.

Students must complete four phases of flight training in order to graduate, including aviation pre-flight indoctrination, primary flight training and advanced flight training. After successfully completing the rigorous program, naval aviators earn their wings of gold.

After graduation, pilots continue their training to learn how to fly a specific aircraft, such as the Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter jet, the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft or the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter. They are later assigned to a ship or land-based squadron.