When people ask me what inspired me to become a pilot, I always say it started as a dream, one that both excited and terrified me. For a long time, I thought it was too ambitious, something meant for someone else. But I also knew I didn’t want to look back one day and wonder what if? So I decided to chase it, and that decision changed everything.
Growing Up Surrounded by Aviation
I grew up in Alaska, one of the most aviation-dependent states in the country. Here, planes aren’t just a luxury; they’re a lifeline. Many communities can only be reached by air, and aviation supports everything from oil field operations to grocery deliveries in remote villages. Even as a kid, I was surrounded by airplanes. My grandma would have us guess the type of landing gear on passing bush planes, and every family trip that involved flying was the highlight of my year. I loved the rush of takeoff, that feeling of lifting off the ground and imagining I was in a Top Gun movie.
Those early experiences built the foundation for my fascination with flight. But it wasn’t until a conversation at church that I realized how deeply I wanted it. I was talking with a volunteer who told me about the dreams she never chased. She was content with her life, but she still carried small regrets, the “I wish I had” kind. That conversation stuck with me. I didn’t want to live with “what ifs.” If I wanted to fly, then I needed to chase after it with everything I had.
Taking the First Steps
I became the first pilot in my family. My journey began at Career Tech High School, where I enrolled in a ground school program that introduced me to the fundamentals of flight. From there, I joined Blue River Aviation, where I continued my ground studies and began flight training in a Cessna 172.
At first, it felt surreal. I had dreamed of flying for so long that being behind the controls didn’t seem real. But the reality of flight training hit quickly: it was challenging, humbling, and required more patience than anything I’d ever done. I had always been an academic learner; study hard, test well, move on. Flight training, however, demanded a different kind of learning. Skill-based learning. Hands-on, repetitive, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately rewarding.
The Lesson Every Pilot Learns
My biggest challenge came during landings. No matter how much I studied or practiced in the simulator, nothing compared to actually bringing the plane down smoothly. I failed a lot. Each time, I’d analyze what went wrong, listen to my instructor’s advice, and try again. One day, after yet another rough session, my instructor reminded me that everyone struggles with landings at first, that mastery comes only with time and repetition.
So I kept at it. I spent hours flying patterns, refining my technique, and gradually feeling the airplane’s behavior become second nature. When I finally soloed, it was the most exhilarating feeling in the world. I wasn’t nervous; I was ready. That moment wasn’t just proof that I could fly; it was proof that patience and persistence pay off.
Balancing School, Work, and Training
Earning my private pilot’s license was a milestone, but getting there took careful time management and dedication. I funded my training through the High School to Flight School (HSFS) scholarship, an incredible program that pairs community service with flight hours. For every hour I volunteered, I earned an hour of flight time.
That meant that while I was a full-time student maintaining an above 4.0 GPA, I was also volunteering several hours a week and flying about three times a week. It was exhausting at times, but it taught me discipline, consistency, and how to manage multiple commitments.
Completing ground school in just three weeks and passing my written exam gave me the confidence that I could handle the academic side of aviation, while flying three times a week showed me how to balance precision with patience. I discovered that success in aviation doesn’t come from talent alone; it comes from showing up, lesson after lesson, even when you’re tired or frustrated.
Joining Blue River Aviation
After earning my license, I was offered a position as a student intake coordinator at Blue River Aviation, the same school where I had trained. Working there has given me a whole new perspective on aviation education. Every day, I meet students who remind me of myself when I first started, nervous, excited, unsure of where to begin. Part of my job is to help guide them through the process, from understanding FAA requirements to exploring scholarships and training options.
It’s rewarding to be on the other side now, helping students navigate the same journey that once felt so overwhelming to me. My ground school teacher, Mr. Novak, often shared scholarship opportunities and encouraged me to explore every available resource. His support and guidance made a huge difference in my training experience, and I strive to offer that same encouragement to every new student who walks through our doors.
Civil Air Patrol and Paying It Forward
In addition to my job at Blue River, I serve as a cadet and flight commander in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), a volunteer organization that focuses on aerospace education, leadership development, and emergency services. CAP gave me the chance to merge my love of aviation with service and leadership, and it’s where I first learned how to inspire others to chase their dreams.
Many cadets join CAP hoping to become pilots, but few realize how competitive and demanding the path can be. When I talk to them, I make sure to share my story, not because it’s unique, but because it’s proof that there’s more than one way to achieve this dream. I tell them about programs like HSFS, about scholarships they might not have heard of, and about how perseverance can make the impossible attainable. The look in their eyes when they realize they can do it, that’s what makes it all worth it.
Lessons from the Cockpit
Flying has taught me lessons that go far beyond aviation. It’s taught me how to stay calm under pressure, how to adapt quickly when things don’t go as planned, and how to think several steps ahead. Every time I take off, I’m reminded that preparation and confidence are built in the hours you spend on the ground, studying, practicing, and reviewing.
It’s also taught me humility. No matter how experienced you become, there’s always more to learn. Aviation is constantly evolving, and staying sharp means always being a student at heart.
Looking Toward the Future
Right now, my focus is on continuing my training and working toward my instrument rating. My long-term goal is to commission as a search and rescue helicopter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, and eventually, after retirement, to become an aerial firefighter. I plan to attend a college with a Part 141 flight program and participate in ROTC, combining my academic and aviation goals to prepare for that future.
Every certificate and rating feels like another step closer to that dream. And while I still have a long way to go, I’ve learned that each milestone, from my first solo to earning my license to guiding others at Blue River, is its own kind of success.
Closing Thoughts
When I look back, I see how far I’ve come since that day I first decided to chase this dream. I’ve learned that flight training isn’t just about learning how to control an airplane; it’s about learning how to control yourself: your mindset, your patience, and your ability to grow through failure.
Aviation has become more than a passion for me; it’s a way of life. It’s a reminder that fear should never dictate your path, and that perseverance, discipline, and community can make even the biggest dreams possible.
For anyone who’s ever looked up at the sky and thought, “I wish I could do that,” you can. You just have to start.
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