Samantha Walsh Takes Flight at Aims

Samantha is now studying to be an airplane pilot at Aims Community College. She admitted she used to be scared of heights and nervous during takeoff as a kid, but flight training transformed those fears into confidence. Now, she marvels at the contrast between the child who once cried on planes and the young woman piloting her own.

Watching “Top Gun” fueled her imagination about flight, but her love for NASA and space exploration was one of the early hints pointing toward her eventual aviation career. As a lifelong science enthusiast fascinated by space and physics, Samantha once considered a career in aerospace engineering. However, after realizing that computer-based work wasn’t the right fit, she discovered her calling in aviation. It’s a career that keeps her in the sky instead of behind a desk.

Training for the Skies

Samantha’s first step into an aviation career came unexpectedly. While visiting the Greeley-Weld County Airport for breakfast, a stranger offered her a discovery flight. “I didn’t know this guy, and at first I thought it was kind of an odd offering,” she laughs. “I went up, the pilot was super nice, and after that, they say you get bit by the bug. I’ve been hooked ever since.” 

That moment set her on a path that led her to Aims, where she was accepted into the highly competitive Professional Pilot program. When Samantha applied to Aims, she knew it wouldn’t be easy. More than 100 students submitted applications and the Aviation Department only selected 25 to participate in the program that semester. “You have to have good grades,” she explained. “There are a few different testing things that go into that. Then you also have to get approval from an aviation medical examiner.”

The physical exam ensures that prospective students meet the physical requirements to fly, checking for issues such as color blindness or other conditions that could pose risks in the cockpit. For Samantha, it was an intimidating step. “That was a little bit intimidating when I started, because I had never done exams like that before,” she said. But she passed, and looking back, she’s grateful for the challenge. “I was lucky to get in and very grateful that I did.”

Since enrolling, Samantha has earned her private pilot license and completed her instrument rating and is now working on her commercial license. Her weeks include lessons, preflight checks, simulator practice and learning from a team of supportive instructors. “The community here is great, and everyone’s trying to get you involved,” she says. “My instructors are always pointing me toward scholarships. Everybody just wants to help you succeed.”

Samantha’s weeks are structured around a demanding schedule of flight lessons, simulations and ground school. A typical lesson lasts approximately two and a half hours and includes everything from pre-flight checks and radio communication practice to emergency procedures and post-flight debriefs. “It’s super nice. We have great instructors here, too, so they make it easy to have a good lesson,” she said.

One instructor who stands out for her is Jennifer Webb, who teaches ground and simulation courses. Samantha remembers the early mornings vividly: “Our Instrument Ground class was at 7 a.m. She’d walk in with music, sometimes with snacks. She just made it fun. She never makes you feel dumb for not knowing something. That’s huge when you’re first starting.”

Her flight instructors have also shaped her journey. She credits her instructor, Ken Koski, for being flexible and attentive to her progress, and she still keeps in touch with Tim Hollis, a former instructor who now flies for Frontier Airlines. “Even after leaving and going to the major airlines, he’ll still call and check in to see how I’m doing. He just wants to make sure I’m okay, which I think is a great thing,” she said.

Through these lessons and mentorships, Samantha has not only built her technical skills but also gained confidence. “It’s pretty difficult, but having great teachers and great students around me made it a lot easier to do,” she explained. For her, the instructors at Aims are modeling the support and professionalism she hopes to carry into her own career.

For Samantha, aviation has also been a journey of personal growth. Early on, she struggled with accepting critiques. 

“I used to take feedback really personally. I’ve learned that in aviation, criticism is how you grow and stay safe. It’s about making you better.” 

Her proudest moment came when she completed her first solo flight, a milestone that proved she could trust her skills and the training she had received.

Samantha hopes to take her parents on a flight in the near future to show her appreciation and how far she has come on this journey. “I wouldn't have been able to do this without them,” she admitted. “From a young age, they've encouraged me to pursue something I'm passionate about. Their support means everything to me.”
 

Leadership and Teamwork in Action

Samantha is involved with aviation activities both on and off the Aims campus. Her journey in aviation is enhanced by her engagement with the broader community, particularly through organizations that foster connections.

One of her most significant sources of inspiration has been the Women in Aviation (WIA) club, while the name might sound exclusive, she’s quick to point out that it welcomes everyone. “Despite what it sounds like, it’s not just for women. Men, women, and individuals of all genders are welcome to join. It’s a super awesome club just for us to get together and talk about different things,” she explained. 

The group is actively involved in organizing outreach events, such as Girls in Aviation Day, which allows young girls to explore careers in aviation. Samantha loves being part of that effort because she would’ve enjoyed it when she was younger. “It’s something I wish I had done when I was younger. I didn’t really know much about it. We’re just about reaching out to the community and sharing what we’re passionate about,” she said.

The club also helps connect students to scholarship opportunities and industry professionals. Instructors often share scholarship leads.. “Being a part of those clubs looks great on scholarship applications, or sometimes they open up portals that you can apply to for different scholarships. That’s just been super awesome,” Samantha noted.

Another group she is involved with is Preflight Camp, a weeklong summer program for girls ages ten to 14. The non-profit organization held a camp in Colorado at Aims and Samantha was one of the instructors. “I teach aerodynamics, which is fun because I get to review things I’ve learned while helping the next generation discover aviation,” Samantha explains. 

The camp concludes with a small yet meaningful graduation ceremony, held at the Aims Flight Training Center hangar. “We had some of the planes on display. The parents are invited and students receive their little certificates and everything. It’s super cute, and I love being a part of it. It’s just a great time,” she said.

This year, she taught at a Preflight Camp in California. “They offered for me to come with and they’re paying for flights, hotels and everything. It’s super awesome. I’m excited to be a part of it, and just get to travel and teach,” she said.

Samantha’s involvement doesn’t stop there. She is the assistant captain of Aims’ National Intercollegiate Flight Association (NIFA) team, where students compete in precision landings, navigation challenges and flight planning contests. The regional competition is held from October 20 to 24 at Colorado Northwest Community College in Rangely. 

Her goal is to help lead the team to the 2026 nationals in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. “It’s so cool to be part of a group of like-minded people who are all passionate about flying,” she says.

Looking Ahead

Samantha’s dream is to become a medevac pilot, transporting people to medical facilities to receive the care they need. Part of Samantha’s ambition is rooted in a family experience. When she was younger, her cousin underwent treatment for brain cancer and often had to take medical flights. Watching him travel this way left a deep impression. “I always thought that was super neat,” she said. Although she didn’t fully realize it at the time, the connection between aviation and helping people planted an early seed that would later grow into her career goals. 

“I want to be there for families and kids who need urgent care,” she says. “That’s what keeps me going when training gets stressful. I know it’ll all be worth it.”

As she works toward her degree, Samantha remains grateful for the support she receives from Aims. “We have such an amazing group of students and instructors. The connections I’ve made and the emphasis on safety are things I’ll carry throughout my career,” she says. “I couldn’t ask for a better community to launch my future.”