Ep190: Crafting Tomorrow’s Aviators: Building the Next Generation of Pilots with Cara Kirkland

Ready 4 Pushback

Nik Fialka

Business, Careers, Leisure, Aviation

4.8 • 716 Ratings

🗓️ 4 November 2024

⏱️ 35 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Starting a flight school is no easy feat, as Cara Kirkland can attest. From finding the right aircraft and instructors to navigating school partnerships and unexpected equipment challenges, she shares the real-world obstacles she's faced and how she's creating opportunities for the next generation of pilots.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE

The power of leveraging partnerships and non-profit organizations for aviation training
Actionable ways to sustain a flight training business during periods of slow airline hiring
Key challenges in ensuring students understand the rigor of aviation training
Financial challenges Cara faced during flight training and how she balanced her obligations while pursuing her passion for teaching

RESOURCES/LINKS MENTIONED

ATP Flight School

ABOUT CARA KIRKLAND

Cara is a dedicated Certified Flight Instructor (CFI, CFI-I, MEI) and co-founder of the Aviator Academy of Texas. With a background as a licensed nurse, Cara brings a unique skill set to her instruction, prioritizing both safety and education in her teaching style. Her journey in aviation began in 2022 when she completed her training at ATP Flight School. Cara is passionate about mentoring aspiring pilots and creating pathways for young people to enter the world of aviation. She co-founded Aviator Academy of Texas to provide high school and middle school students with opportunities to explore aviation careers through a nonprofit flight school program.

CONNECT WITH CARA

CONNECT WITH US

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Mailing like the end goal, getting to the majors, and eventually I'll have that money paid off and I'll have a good income.
0:06.8	It's definitely worth it.
0:07.8	Most pilots don't understand what career opportunities are available in the world of aviation.
0:14.0	They're making career decisions based on advice from friends or posts on internet forums,
0:19.7	meaning they are taking huge risk with their livelihood
0:22.7	without having all the details. This podcast was created to help you understand the aviation
0:28.7	industry so you can find your dream job. Let's get ready for pushback. Here's your host and my dad,
0:36.8	Nick Fialca. Hey, Pilot, welcome back to Ready for Pushback. It's me, Nick Fialca. I'm here with you, and I'm so
0:46.6	thankful that you've joined me today if you're on the YouTube's or the podcast world, wherever you are.
0:52.6	Thanks for joining me.
0:58.7	And today's conversation just took a turn.
1:05.5	I had originally planned this conversation to talk with our guest, Kara Kirkland, about mentorship.
1:06.8	She is a young lady who has gotten her ratings and is now a CFI.
1:15.0	And she started talking about starting her own flight school.
1:19.7	And it got wild.
1:22.9	It was way different than I expected.
1:25.6	And you listen to it and think about all of the things that she's doing and all of this,
1:31.9	all the like,
1:32.5	amazing,
1:35.2	amazing,
1:36.3	amazing,
1:37.1	smart business moves she's me making.
	...

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