Influential Woman · Aviation

Maria Aguirre

Sr. Director, Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO), Airbus Helicopters

Pembroke Pines, FL

8Years experience

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Degree 2025 Degree Minor in Safety and Management Cert FAA License as Flight Instructor Cert Pilot License from Colombia Member Latina Pilot Association

Her Story

About Maria

I work as a certified flight instructor, and my life is just flying every day from morning until late night, basically teaching people how to fly. I just finished and graduated from Embry-Riddle this year with my bachelor's in aeronautical science and a minor in safety and management. I have my FAA license as a flight instructor, and I also have my license from Colombia, because I'm from Colombia. I got my pilot's license two years ago. I was a member of the Latina Pilot Association. Right now I'm trying to get a new job so I can get the admin part of the airlines and also keep flying. I live super far away from my house, super far away from my parents, I just have my friends here, so I'm always trying and trying and trying, and that's what helped me get what I have now.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Maria

01What do you attribute your success to?

I think being very perseverant is what I attribute my success to. Even if something bad is happening, I'm always trying to do what I have to do. I live super far away from my house, I live super far away from my parents, I just have my friends here, so I'm always trying and trying and trying, and that's what helped me to get what I have now. It's basically being very perseverant, and even if something bad happened or is happening, I always keep trying to do what I have to do.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

My mom told me to basically enjoy everything that happens, even if it's not good, because that's what it should be like to reach the goals. Sometimes it's very difficult, I've been sacrificing so many things, but if I keep going, if I just enjoy it, I just get where I want to go. It's basically to enjoy it and try to take the things in the best way so you can enjoy what you're doing.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

The first one is to be strong. There are always men around, and they are always trying to make you feel like you're not enough to get there, but it's just to be strong, try so hard, and also, sometimes it's very important to sacrifice some things, but at the end, you will enjoy everything that you're doing. Because it's a very men's career, as a woman, you always have many things that they can't do, so that's something that, as a woman, you always have to think about.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I think that right now the airlines are very closed, so finding a job is very challenging because there's so many people with so many hours and ratings, and it's difficult to find a job right now. But at the same time, if you keep working on yourself and if you keep working on your career, I'm pretty sure that we're gonna make it. And also, because it's a very men's career, as a woman you always have many things that they can't do, so that's something that as a woman you always have to think about.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

The first one is safety. That's the main one. And the other ones are being responsible, being honest, and I think being on time. Those are the biggest ones. That's why I felt super bad yesterday with you, because I was trying to reach you out and I didn't know you didn't get my messages, because being on time is one of my most important values.

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