Her Story
About Terra
Terra X serves as a flight instructor with Flight Expo Inc. in Princeton, Minnesota. She entered the aviation industry in 2017 or 2018 after earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice with a minor in military science from St. Cloud State University. Her credentials include a commercial helicopter rating with instrument privileges, commercial airplane single-engine and multi-engine ratings with instruments, and a single-engine airplane instructor rating. Terra previously flew for the National Guard before retiring in December 2024. She contributes to her community through membership in the VFW in Princeton and the Women in Aviation Stars of the North chapter, where she volunteers on the grant board. Terra also participates in outreach efforts with Flight Expo and local school districts to spark interest in aviation among juniors and seniors. She attributes her success to resilience, noting that one must get back up one more time than being knocked down and maintain a positive outlook. Terra values honesty and loyalty, believing that if a task is worth doing, it should be done right.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Terra
01What do you attribute your success to?
I guess maybe the saying is you get knocked down 100 times, and you get back up 101, and you just keep growing. You're moving forwards. And sometimes it's just the outlook that I'm better than I think I am, and I'm gonna keep going.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You could hear a million opinions, know what the regulations are. But as you're learning, it's like you're going to develop your own technique. And so that's part of becoming a competent pilot in command.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenge right now is the market for pilots is not what it was 2 years ago. We're kind of getting back to needing about 2,000 to 3,000 hours before you can move anywhere. So some of the challenges right now are just being patient, taking every opportunity to grow. Opportunities include meeting so many different people from all walks of life with different talents.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and loyalty. If you're gonna do something, do it right, or don't do it at all.
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