Karina Gaynutdinova shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Karina , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Flying. For me, it’s the purest form of meditation. The moment I’m in the sky, everything else fades away. I stop noticing the hours, the minutes; time simply disappears. All I feel is the rhythm of the plane, the focus of flying, and this incredible freedom that fills me.
Up there, I feel like a bird. Weightless. Free. I can go anywhere, and for a while, the world feels endless. That’s when I feel most alive, most myself. When I lose track of time but somehow find who I truly am again: bad ass pilot who flies jet aircraft around USA.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Karina, and I am a commercial multi-engine pilot with a passion for using aviation to connect people and inspire future aviators. I currently fly jets for air medical operations and also ferry airplanes on long-range flights, including routes from California to Hawaii and beyond. In Los Angeles, I run a sightseeing flight business, giving travelers a unique perspective of the city’s most stunning landmarks from the air.
What makes my work special is that it combines the technical precision of professional aviation with the joy of sharing the freedom of flight. Beyond my flying career, I am also an instructor, focusing on mentoring women who want to become pilots. I know from personal experience how challenging and intimidating the journey can be, and it’s important to me to create pathways of support and encouragement for women in aviation.
I am also writing a book about my journey: from arriving in the United States as an immigrant with just $300 in my pocket to becoming a professional pilot. My goal is to show aspiring aviators, especially women, that the road isn’t always glamorous. There are ups and downs, financial struggles, and times when you have to take other jobs just to keep your dream alive. But through resilience and determination, the sky truly does open up.
My story, my brand, and my mission are all rooted in one belief: that with perseverance and passion, anyone can rise above obstacles and achieve their dreams.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
One of the earliest moments I can remember was when I decided I no longer wanted to stay in Russia. On completing my engineering degree and earning only $600 a month, I realized that wasn’t the life I wanted. I made the choice to leave, to move to another country, and to chase my dreams. That decision gave me my first real sense of power.
A more recent moment came when I told my husband I wanted a divorce. After facing emotional abuse right after marriage, I reached a point where I said enough. I stood up for myself, got a word of protection, and reminded him and myself that I deserve respect. But most importantly, I realized that respect starts with me. Reclaiming that power, refusing to give it away again, made me feel strong, unapologetic, and truly badass.
Every time I take off in an airplane I feel it all over again. As the plane lifts into the sky I feel that same power returning to me, filling me with freedom, strength, and confidence.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
When I moved to a different country, what I missed the most was my family. For the first 15 years in the U.S. I was completely on my own until I was finally able to bring my sister over. That feeling of being alone, especially around Christmas and the holidays, was very hard.
It is actually one of the reasons I chose aviation because it gives me the freedom to see my family, to fly and visit them whenever I want. No matter how successful I look on the outside, inside I am still that little girl who misses her mom. I still want to cry with her, hug her, and feel her comfort. In those moments I just want to be that little girl again, knowing my mom is there and everything will be okay.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
For me it is aviation. I truly believe that if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Aviation is very much like the stock market. It goes up and down. When it goes down you have to stay committed because you know it will rise again. And when it does you want to be ready with all your ratings, all your flight time, and the preparation needed to land that dream job.
I always explain this to my students and to people who come to me thinking they will make a lot of money immediately after graduation. Yes, it is possible, but only when the economy is strong and hiring is steady. Nobody could have predicted for example that Boeing would pause production after the door incident, or that the accidents earlier in 2025 would affect the entire industry. Aviation is full of uncertainty.
That is why commitment is so important. You have to know this is truly what you want. There will be times when the journey is difficult, when opportunities seem scarce, and when the sacrifices feel overwhelming. But if you stay ready and never give up, those low points eventually turn into opportunities, and that is when all the hard work pays off.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in the sky. It is the only place where all the human noise—anxiety, depression, traffic, anger—simply disappears. Up there it is quiet and calm, and I am moving freely to the places I want to go. Being in control of the plane gives me both power and peace. In the beginning, as a student, it felt intimidating, but once I mastered it, flying became the most peaceful experience in my life.
Another place I find peace is in the ocean. I love surfing, and when I am on the board catching a wave, nothing else matters. It is just me, the water, and the technique it takes to ride it. The peace I feel while waiting for the next wave is incredible, and when it comes, that moment of connection with nature is unforgettable.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pilot.karina?igsh=cG13ajU2OHB4dHE3&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/karina-gaynutdinova-a39a9159
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@karinagnova9491?si=_A8laOmIzMZ7lu0R
Image Credits
Oxana Melis
