Zoe Newcomb
Zoe Newcomb is a certified flight instructor and emerging aviation professional based in Punta Gorda, Florida, whose journey into aviation began with curiosity, determination, and a willingness to take a chance on something completely new. With no family background or prior exposure to the aviation industry, Zoe discovered flying while searching for direction after graduating from community college, where she spent two years as a student-athlete playing softball. After extensive research into possible career paths, she scheduled a discovery flight at the school she would later attend, and from that moment, she was hooked. The combination of travel, freedom, technical challenge, and breathtaking views made aviation feel like the perfect fit, and she quickly committed herself fully to the profession. What started as an unfamiliar world has become a life-changing career that she says she will never regret pursuing.
Zoe graduated from flight school in July 2025 and was hired just two months later as a Certified Flight Instructor at Paragon Flight Training. Today, she teaches approximately seven active students at varying stages of training, from private pilot certification through advanced instrument and instructor ratings. Known for her patient and adaptable teaching style, Zoe tailors instruction to each student’s individual learning process, recognizing that every pilot develops differently. She regularly instructs in both Part 61 and Part 141 programs while helping students navigate the technical and mental demands of flight training. Reflecting on her own rapid growth in the field, Zoe often revisits her early aviation notebooks and laughs at how unfamiliar everything once felt. Seeing herself evolve from a complete beginner into someone now teaching others has reinforced both her confidence and appreciation for the learning process.
In addition to instructing, Zoe is actively building flight hours with the long-term goal of flying for the airlines or charter operations. She credits much of her success to the support of her parents, especially her mother, who studied alongside her, helped prepare her for check rides, and encouraged her throughout training. Beyond technical skill, Zoe values kindness, patience, confidence, and mentorship, believing those qualities are just as important in aviation as flying ability itself. She encourages young women entering the industry to ask questions, build relationships, and avoid being intimidated in a field that can often feel small and highly competitive. As a member of Women in Aviation and an emerging leader in the next generation of pilots, Zoe continues to inspire others through her resilience, authenticity, and passion for helping students achieve goals they once thought were out of reach.
• Certified Flight Instructor
• Certified Flight Instructor Instrument
• Kilo Charlie Aviation
• Neosho County Community College
Associate of Science
• Women in Aviation Southwest Florida chapter
What do you attribute your success to?
I have to say my parents, especially my mom. She has been there all throughout my pilot training. She helped study with me for every single one of my certificates. We would spend hours before every check ride sitting there, and she would read me my flashcards, study with me, quiz me - she was always there to help. Obviously, financially, they helped me as well. I wouldn't be here where I am without them, so I definitely attribute most of my success to my parents.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to be confident and not give up. Being in a male-dominated industry, it's pretty tough to put your best face forward and be confident when you're young and you have a lot of older, senior people above you, and there's not a lot of women to look to in the industry. But you really have to work hard. This is an industry where you can't just show up and expect your license - you're gonna have to work hard. Work hard enough that you can be confident in what you do, and then inspire others around you. Don't be selfie - share the love with other women and other people looking to get in the industry. That was the best advice that I got.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Besides confidence, I would say really just work hard and make friends. Don't be intimidated - look to other people, and don't be afraid to ask questions. I think sometimes we get in our own heads and we don't want to feel dumb or stupid, or we worry about what people will think about us, but don't be afraid to ask questions. If you need something or something's not making sense, just ask. There's never harm in asking questions, because if I didn't ask when I was going through my training, I would not know half the things I do now. It's all about just putting yourself out there and advocating to yourself.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge right now is that hiring has really slowed down, so just getting the hours for the next step is where we're at. As far as opportunities, it's all about getting your feet in the door. This industry is very small, so it's all about who you know. Networking is the biggest thing - talking to people, not being afraid to talk to people, and putting your face and your name out there. That's definitely the best way to get into the aviation industry.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, treating people with kindness is definitely most important. Since I'm a teacher, people learn differently, and you have to be able to be patient and kind of tailor your teaching to them. In my personal life, it's just to have fun and really enjoy the steps where I'm at. In aviation, everything's a stepping stone because we're trying to get to the big goals like airline or a private charter. So a lot of people instruct or do something they don't want to do purely for building hours. However, this is something I always looked forward to and wanted to do, so I think just enjoying it while I'm here and living in the moment is probably one of the things I value most in my personal life.