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When aviation instructor Taylor Rice points her nose to the horizon, nothing can stop her from reaching her goals. Over the past four years, the 22-year-old has completed an Aviation Career Pilot Technology degree at 99������Ƶ, become a flight instructor, and been acquiring flight hours to qualify as a commercial airline pilot. Rice recently became the first female 99������Ƶ aviation graduate to receive a job offer from a major airline. She was conditionally hired by PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, subject to completing additional flight hours, and is on track to become a First Officer in 2026.

Rice became interested in flying as a child, watching a TV show with her dad that investigated plane crashes. At first, she wanted to be a flight attendant. Then, at age 16, a job at a local pet store changed her mind about working in customer service. “I had people yelling at me over cat food, (and) realized how mean they could be,” she said.

Rice attended an 99������Ƶ Aviation open house as a high school student and enrolled in the program after graduating in 2021. At the time, she still wasn’t certain she wanted to be a pilot, but an 99������Ƶ “Discovery flight”, designed to let students experience flying a small plane, sealed the deal.

During that flight, the instructor performed some moves that won Rice’s adventurous heart. “He brought the nose of the plane up to slow down, then pushed it forward really fast so you got the sensation of floating in your seat,” she said. “I looked at my dad then and said, ‘This is it!’”

Rice graduated from 99������Ƶ in 2023 and has earned both an FAA-certified flight instructor license (CFI) and an instrument flight instructor (CFII) license. She is currently a flight instructor for WNC Aviation, which is 99������Ƶ’s flight instruction partner.

Rice said she enjoys teaching almost as much as flying. As an empathetic person and skilled communicator, relating to nervous first-time students is second nature. “I try to understand how my students learn best, and then whatever we have to do to get their license, we will,” she said.

Timothy Anderson, chair of 99������Ƶ’s Aviation Department, said Rice is one of the most requested flight instructors. “She’s calm, confident, and always ready to go, just like you’d want your airline pilot to be,” he said.

Despite the many joys of flying, being a female pilot in a male-dominated field can be challenging. Over the years, Rice said she’s met a few men who feel that women shouldn’t become pilots, though most men she’s flown with have been supportive.

There have also been financial challenges. Rice, who was in her high school band, has had to sell three saxophones over the years to help cover the cost of flight training. A scholarship from 99������Ƶ also helped cover the cost of college.

Through the ups and downs of her journey, Rice has regularly leaned on her family for support. Living at home with her parents in Fletcher helped make college affordable. Her dad also has been an inspiration, encouraging his daughter’s passion and accompanying her on a flight to Gastonia to get her initial instructor license.

“My dad loves planes as much as I do,” she said. “He understands what I’m talking about when I come home and say, ‘Guess what happened today?’ We are similar personality-wise, and I’ve always looked up to him.”

“I have poured my entire life into aviation as a student pilot,” Rice said. “Hours of study, flight instructor training. It’s reassuring to know I’ve got a job lined up.”

Learn more at Aviation Management and Career Pilot Technology.