How One CAU Graduate Built a Career in Corporate Aviation
Exploring a lesser-known pathway for aspiring pilots
For many young pilots, the aviation career path can seem like there’s only one pathway: flight training, instructing, regional airlines, then — hopefully — a major airline cockpit. But aviation offers far more possibilities than many students realize early on.
One California Aeronautical University (CAU) graduate recently returned to campus to share her journey into a different corner of the industry — corporate aviation — and to encourage students to explore all their options before committing to a single path.
CAU graduate Gelsey Lozano, now a Captain at Wonderful Aviation, spoke with current students about finding a flying career that aligned with her personal goals and lifestyle. For her, the traditional airline route never felt like the right fit.
“I thought it was just airlines and airlines and more airlines,” she told students during her visit. “That’s something I knew I didn’t want to do.”
Instead, Gelsey focused on building a career that offered stability, variety, and the ability to return home most nights — priorities that led her to corporate aviation.
Starting Where Many Students Are Today
Like many aspiring aviators, Gelsey’s journey began with flight lessons, study sessions, and the milestone moments that shape every pilot’s early training. One memory stands out above the rest.
“My proudest achievements are twofold: having my family present for my first-ever solo flight and flying my mom in a private jet as a captain,” she said. “Sharing my passion for flying with my loved ones made those achievements even more special.”
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics degree and completing her flight ratings, Gelsey stayed at CAU as a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) to build hours and fine tune her resume and interview skills for upcoming job interviews.
Inside the World of Corporate Aviation
Today, Gelsey flies for Wonderful Aviation, the private flight department of The Wonderful Company — one of the largest privately held companies in the United States. The organization’s brand family includes household names like Fiji Water, Wonderful Pistachios, JUSTIN Wines, and Halos.
The fleet she flies includes King Airs, Caravans, a Pilatus PC-12 NGX, a Citation XLS, and a Gulfstream 280, giving her exposure to a wide range of aircraft and mission profiles.
“We fly precious cargo — our executives, CEOs, managers, and farmers. Every mission is different than the rest,” she explained. “Even though we go to the same places, it\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s going to be different people, different times, different weather. So it\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s a lot of changes.”
Some days begin before sunrise and include multiple short legs up and down California. Others involve waiting at an FBO for much of the day before an evening departure. With two-pilot crews across the fleet, captains and first officers work closely together — flying, coordinating logistics, greeting passengers, and representing the company.
“Being one of the pilots for this company is the biggest type of customer service,” Gelsey said. “They already expect you to be a good pilot. They’re looking to see what kind of person you are.”
A Different Kind of Career Fit
For students who value teamwork, variety, and real-time decision-making, corporate aviation can offer a rewarding alternative to airline flying. Schedules, destinations, and responsibilities often change day to day, requiring adaptability and strong communication skills.
Gelsey’s message to students was clear: there is more than one way to build a successful aviation career. Finding the right fit means understanding your goals, asking questions, and being open to paths that may not be as widely discussed.
That mindset is something CAU works to instill in its students — encouraging them to explore different sectors of aviation while building a strong foundation of technical skill, professionalism, and confidence.
Advice for the Next Generation
As she wrapped up her visit, Gelsey shared advice that resonated deeply with aspiring pilots:
“Do it tired. Do it scared. Just do it,” she said. “Sacrifice a few years of comfort for decades of freedom.”
