Pilot Spotlight: Emily Gardner
Follow Emily on Instagram @emgrdner
Tell Us About Your Aviation Journey:
How did you get into aviation, and what inspired you to become a pilot?
I’ve wanted to be a pilot for my entire life! My uncle is a Captain in the Navy, and he brought my family to an airshow at his base (NAS Patuxent River) in Maryland when I was six. I got to see the Blue Angels perform for the first time. Ever since then, I’ve known I’ve wanted to fly. Becoming a pilot is a very expensive endeavor, so as I grew up, I didn’t think it was realistic for me. I knew I still wanted to be around aviation, so I studied Aeronautical Management Technology at Arizona State, where I worked several jobs simultaneously as a student employee for the Engineering Schools and the Aviation Programs and completed my capstone project with Pinnacle Aviation at KSDL. I graduated early and did a summer internship with NASA in the Office of the Chief Technologist before becoming an Aviation Sales Underwriter at Avemco Insurance Company. While I was working in insurance, I got my big break. I found out I’d been accepted to United Aviate Academy and that I’d be attending on a full-tuition scholarship. I started flight training a few months later and have been flying ever since!
Current Status:
I am a Cirrus Training Center Instructor at The Flight Academy in Seattle, WA.
Career Highlights:
What have been your aviation career's standout moments or achievements so far?
The most significant standout moments of my career have been completing my own flight training (through Multi-Engine Instructor) and becoming a Gold Seal CFI!
Fun Aspects of Flying: What do you enjoy most about flying? Share your favorite moments or experiences in the air.
The best part of flying, particularly in my current role, is being able to fly all around the country and fly past/stop at the best things along the way! In the last month, I’ve gotten to fly by Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota, get the legendary milkshake from Waypoint Cafe at Camarillo, land on several of the San Juan Islands for lunch, do a few passes around the Golden Gate Bridge, and bring a brand new SR20 G7 back to Seattle from Cirrus Aircraft’s Vision Center. My all-time favorite flight was last year when I was building solo XC time toward my Commercial Pilot License; my really good friend (who is now my girlfriend, Becca!) and I each took a plane from Phoenix to Santa Monica and got to take the crew car to the Santa Monica Pier for a quick dinner.
Advice for Aspiring Pilots: What tips or advice would you give to someone just starting out in their flight training or aviation career?
Network, network, network! Message people on LinkedIn and attend industry events to get to know the people you want to work with. If you’re interested in a specific program or position, reach out to people there now. Find out how they got there and if they have advice for you to do the same. Aviation is a very easy industry to establish common ground with anyone. We all have a shared passion, so connect on some level and get your name out there!
Aviation Organizations: Are you a member of any aviation organizations (e.g., Women in Aviation, Women in Corporate Aviation, NGPA, OBAP, PAPA)? If so, how have they supported your journey?
I am a member of NGPA, OBAP, and Women in Aviation. NGPA and OBAP completely changed my life with scholarships to cover my flight training tuition. They made it possible for me to attend a full-time flight school and earn all of my ratings. I am beyond grateful for their support over the last few years. These organizations each have an amazing sense of community, and I love being involved in them!
Follow Emily on IG @emgrdner
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Follow Emily on IG @emgrdner 〰️
I’m on a mission to gather some incredible pilot stories to feature on the On Final blog. Whether you’re just beginning your flight training or you’ve been soaring through the skies for years, I want to hear from you!
Your experiences and stories can inspire others in the aviation community, and I’m excited to share them on the blog. If you’re up for it, please send me your story and some photos through the link below:
