Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiana Stroncone.
Hi Tiana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I was 17 I noticed everyone choosing a career and trying to determine what they wanted to do for work every day, but as I looked around I noticed I wanted to choose what kind of life I would have, what my days would look like. It was then when I decided I wanted to travel and have a life full of constant new experiences, and I knew the life of a 9-5 and kids was never meant for me, so I looked at what jobs would either allow me to travel or pay me enough to travel as well as give me free time to do the things I enjoy. In that moment I decided a flight attendant job would be good fit for me and didn’t think about it again until my senior year. I was always terrible at math, even as a small child, I would get by with Cs and trying my best, once I entered my senior year of high school I had to take pre-calculus and assumed I would be able to get by with doing my best and studying for every test. I took the first test of that class and got the first F I had ever received on a test, and at first I was shocked and figured I could make it up with studying a little more, and when I realized I couldn’t get my grade up by myself after failing multiple tests, I decided to go to my math teacher before school, at lunch, and after school asking for help on my homework and clarification on anything I didn’t understand from class, by the end of the year I almost has an A in math, for the very first time in my life. I realized that I might not be the most naturally intelligent, but if I worked harder than peers and spent more time on things I didn’t understand, I was capable of anything I put my mind to, this is when I decided to become a pilot. At the time I had no idea what that truly meant, but I carried the sentiment that I could work my way through learning anything if I put in the extra effort and asked for help. Shortly after, I went on a discovery flight. A discovery flight is where you find out if you are truly capable of handling being in a small airplane and if it is something you are interested in doing for a career. So I went up in a small 4 seater Cessna 172, and I was told that sometimes people want to fly their whole life and get in a small plane just to throw up, or be too scared of how small and turbulent they are, so I was prepared for the worst. As soon as we took off and got over the coast, I will never forget the feeling that came over me, I wasn’t scared, I wasn’t nervous, I wasn’t even excited, again for the first time in my life, I felt content. This feeling of “this is exactly where I am supposed to be, and exactly what I am supposed to do” radiated through my body. I knew my goal and I got to work. First I got a job in aviation to immerse myself into the community, I started off fueling airplanes, talking to pilots all day and telling them my dreams of flying. As I did this job I met many people who wanted to help guide me and give me opportunities to go fly with them and learn about what it truly takes to become a pilot. I found someone that let me rent their plane for cheap and found an instructor that would teach me in the aircraft for a good deal. I started college at California Baptist University getting a degree in aviation, while fueling aircraft for work, studying for my pilot exams, and beginning flight training. I had saved all summer and used those savings to pay my instructor after each flight, and I would put fuel on my credit card to pay later once I worked some more. I was full time school, work, studying, and flying. During this time I had many helping hands and encouraging aviators on my path to success. I got my Private Pilots License when I was 19 years old the day after my favorite music artist passed away, Mac Miller, and then every summer I would fly and get another add on rating to my license. One week apart I graduated with my undergraduate degree in aviation and a minor in Philosophy, and got my Multi-engine Instrument Commercial license. After I got my license I flew around for another month in the twin engine and got a call from my very first flight instructor offering me an opportunity to go in a Lear Jet with an instructor and get my first hour of jet time. I flew the Lear whenever I got the call as I worked on my masters degree in Business Administration. This opportunity blossomed and allowed me to meet more people and fly in a Citation 550 as well. I did that for a few years and now I am working on finishing my hours, I am working at a company called JSX as an Airport Service Concierge, with my eyes still set on the cockpit. Once I finish my hours I hope to hop back in the right seat and keep pushing until I reach my goals. I have always been open to whatever the universe wants my path to be, and I have enjoyed corporate flying and would do it again, I hope to one day fly for Hawaiian/Alaskan Airlines as my career, but whatever is meant to be, will be. I will just keep moving forward, keep learning and keep working hard to achieve my goals.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have had many struggles along the way. My mom was a single mother of two and my sister has special needs so I needed to pay my way myself. Help definitely was there, people saw my passion and helped me with hours, I made trades for hours in airplanes and even did labor for hours in airplanes. I saved every penny and made many sacrifices along the way. I sacrificed a social life and some of my hobbies for my entire undergraduate degree, and was able to really explore all of my interests later. I worked in lower paying jobs in order be close to aviation and make those connections, and have gone into some debt as well for the education.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a pilot. I am most proud of my determination and resilience. As difficult as the industry is, I have worked very hard for each license and rating, each rating gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment. I am proud of my licenses as well as my education, having an MBA was an important goal of mine that I am able to say I accomplished. I believe my multi-faceted lifestyle sets me apart. While my passion and career is aviation, I love so many other things about life. Balance is important, and sometimes that means having goals you lock-in to accomplish and celebrate by doing something for your growth in another aspect of life.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People always find unique ways to support me, sometimes in ways I never expected. I have found support in jobs I have received because of my skills and through the connections I’ve made or others have made on my behalf. I have found financial support in scholarships for more ratings and more flight experience. I have also collaborated with others at my level of flying that have split hours with me, making it more affordable for both of us to earn our time, and learn new skills from one another.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little_miss_aviator
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiana-stroncone-1b72a2330
