‘The Pink Jet Pilot’ Shares Her Passion for Developing the Next Generation

Stephanie Goetz is a professional pilot, entrepreneur and professional coach dedicated to the growth and expansion of business aviation. Aviation is her third career, having started television reporting and then in executive coaching before learning to fly and chalking up five type ratings. She’s also an instructor pilot in the L-39 Albatros and pilot for The Pink Jet, which promotes breast cancer awareness, early detection and women’s empowerment.

Now a Bombardier Global 6000 pilot for the world’s largest business jet operator, Goetz is passionate about getting more underrepresented communities into aviation and growing the next generation of business aviation professionals.

“There’s nothing like aviation. It’s easy to fuel the passion,” said Goetz, who explained she was raised for the very work she does now, since giving back was an ethos taught by her parents. Even as a child, allowance was to be split between giving, saving and then discretionary spending.

When Goetz started in aviation, she noticed a lot of disparities, whether it was the gender gap or lack of representation of different ethnicities. She realized women and non-white ethnicities are a small percentage of business aviation and that the industry needs to change that paradigm, reaching out to less traditional sources for new prospective professionals if the industry is going to grow.

“Underrepresented communities can often be a missed part of the pipeline. We’re facing some headwinds in the aviation community and more broadly in regard to equity and equality. Now we have an opportunity to rise up even more and show that diversity is not just a nice thing to do – it is also a benefit to safety,” said Goetz. “Different perspectives create a safer flight deck and overall operation.”

Goetz said it’s one thing to hire someone who is different from the rest of the group, but that person must feel like they belong. Companies have to be welcoming, not just hiring people from different backgrounds but listening to their perspectives and insights.

Further, the industry needs to find creative solutions to help members of underrepresented communities become pilots, maintenance technicians and other business aviation professionals.

“The barrier to entry is so high financially. People who have been there, done that, have the flight ratings and have the means have a unique position to give back. To close the financial gap for flight students, they could find ways to give back through scholarships, support and mentorship,” Goetz said. “I believe it’s our duty to pay it back. No one got here alone.”

Goetz doesn’t just talk the talk – she and her husband Endre Holen walk the walk. They give thousands of dollars in flight scholarships to organizations like National Gay Pilots Association, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Women in Aviation and University of North Dakota. They also mentor many aviators throughout the year.

“We have to be willing to challenge our own beliefs,” she said. “The more we can do that with an open mind and open heart, the more we can bring people together to a supportive and welcoming environment. That is one of the keys in effectively moving forward.”