Former Navy Instructor Pens High-Stakes Aviation Thriller

John J. Domina's debut novel "The Goodflyers" draws from his experiences as a flight instructor and Delta pilot.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In his gripping debut novel "The Goodflyers", former U.S. Navy flight instructor and retired Delta Airlines captain John J. Domina takes readers inside the fiercely competitive and high-pressure world of Navy flight school. Set in Pensacola, Florida, the story follows elite flight instructors Lieutenants Frank Nicolosi and Joe Christmas as they battle to keep their squadron ranked number one, leading to a spiral of ambition, betrayal, and moral decay.

Why it matters

Domina's novel provides a rare insider's look at the intense training and high-stakes environment of becoming a naval aviator, drawing from his own experiences as both a Navy flight instructor and commercial pilot. The story explores the psychological toll of striving for perfection in a culture that demands it.

The details

The Goodflyers is a character-driven aviation thriller that follows Lieutenants Nicolosi and Christmas as they fight to reclaim their squadron's top ranking from a rival led by a ruthless Marine instructor. As the professional rivalry intensifies, personal lives unravel, leading to love affairs, betrayal, and moral compromise. A flight instructor vanishes and a student crosses an unforgivable line, revealing the devastating cost of unchecked ambition.

  • Domina served eight years in the U.S. Navy, including four years as a flight instructor in Pensacola.
  • Following his military service, Domina flew for Delta Air Lines for over four decades, logging more than 21,000 flight hours.

The players

John J. Domina

A former U.S. Navy flight instructor and retired Delta Airlines captain who has drawn from his own experiences to write his debut novel, "The Goodflyers".

Frank Nicolosi

A lieutenant and elite flight instructor determined to keep his squadron ranked number one in the training command.

Joe Christmas

A lieutenant and elite flight instructor who partners with Nicolosi in their battle to maintain their squadron's top ranking.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There was too much drama and adventure that I experienced as a Navy flight instructor that could not go untold. I wanted readers to feel the gravity pulling at their faces during aerobatics, hear the wind rushing over the canopy, and understand what it truly takes to become a naval aviator.”

— John J. Domina, Author

What’s next

Domina is currently writing a second book, "Five O'clock Lightning", a baseball-themed novel.

The takeaway

Domina's debut novel "The Goodflyers" provides a gripping, insider's look at the intense world of Navy flight training, exploring the psychological toll of striving for perfection in a culture that demands it. The story serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition.