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An Early Love of Aviation Leads to a Love of Instructing

Niki Gaskins didn’t think she had it in her to be a CFI. She took the plunge, and found her calling.

Niki Gaskins, (front row left) says she thought being a CFI would be daunting, but she fell in love with it. [Courtesy: Niki Gaskins]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Niki Gaskins, inspired by her pilot father, initially pursued private pilot certification but discovered a deep passion for teaching after obtaining her Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate, despite initial apprehension about the role.
  • As a CFI, Gaskins emphasizes that understanding each student's unique learning style is the most challenging aspect, while witnessing their milestones and growing confidence is the most rewarding.
  • Despite experiencing close calls during instruction, including near gear-up landings, Gaskins is dedicated to her role as a CFI, finding fulfillment in training new private pilots and considering it essential for the future of aviation.
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For most children, sitting in a car seat means endless hours watching the landscapes and buildings outside of the car window. For Niki Gaskins, when her dad put her car seat in the back of an airplane, it allowed her to see the world from above the terrain.

Years later, her father encouraged Niki and her brothers to share his love of aviation by offering them the opportunity to learn how to fly, and Niki quickly jumped at the chance. After graduating from high school, she found herself at the local airport beginning her flight instruction. 

Ellen Voie

Ellen is not only an avid pilot, she’s also an internationally recognized speaker and authority on gender diversity and inclusion for women working in non-traditional careers in transportation. Have a story Ellen should tell? You can send her ideas at editorial@flying.media.

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