She couldn’t afford to fly for nearly two years. Today, she commands an airliner.

Captain Mariah Graham joins KT on Straighten Up and Fly Right to share how she fought through financial setbacks, confronted self-doubt, and built the community that helped her reach the captain’s seat.

Hear how asking for help unlocked $10,000 for her training, why one thunderstorm changed her judgment in the cockpit, and how she stopped letting past struggles define her future.

CHAPTERS
00:00 A dream bigger than self-doubt
00:30 Meet Captain Mariah Graham
04:08 Discovering a path to the cockpit at 12
07:09 Why she chose Embry-Riddle
08:34 Facing independence, training struggles, and bias
12:52 Advocate for yourself and find your people
18:55 Keep the faith—and do the work
20:52 Knowing when to move on
22:11 Teaching pilots in Washington, D.C.’s restricted airspace
25:33 Trying to beat a thunderstorm: a lesson that stuck
31:17 When a student flares at 100 feet
35:24 What helps flight students succeed?
37:57 Why students quit—and how money shapes the decision
42:56 From flight instructor to her first airline job
44:36 Refusing to let past struggles define her
48:12 Stepping into the captain’s seat
51:20 Find a mentor. Be a mentor.
53:13 Growing as a captain and helping others improve
55:16 KT on enjoying the career he worked to build
57:18 Stay grounded in faith and community

Which part of Mariah’s journey hits home for you? Tell us in the comments.

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Straighten Up and Fly Right
Presented by Legacy Flight Academy | Powered by Kilo Tango Aviation

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What happens when the career you’ve planned your entire life suddenly isn’t an option?

Kenny T sits down with longtime friend and FedEx First Officer Dwayne Quick to talk about a career in aviation that went almost nothing like the original plan.

Dwayne grew up around military aviation with one goal: become an Air Force fighter pilot. After years of pursuing that path, medical barriers forced him to pivot and figure out an entirely different route into professional aviation. That journey eventually took him through flight instruction, the airlines, international widebody flying, American Airlines, and ultimately FedEx. Pasted text

They get into the part of becoming a pilot that doesn’t get talked about enough: the “now what?” stage after earning your ratings, building hours when progress feels slow, choosing the right opportunities, networking without burning bridges, and knowing when you need a mentor versus a coach.

Dwayne also shares a sobering story about an inadvertent IMC encounter in a general aviation aircraft that developed into a steep spiral after instrument failures. It became a powerful lesson about proficiency, overconfidence, get-there-itis, and why being qualified does not always mean being prepared. Pasted text

They also discuss balancing professional flying with marriage and young children, career sacrifices, staying motivated, and why closed doors don’t necessarily mean you’re on the wrong path.

00:00 Introducing Dwayne Quick
01:49 Growing Up Around Military Aviation
04:58 The Fighter Pilot Dream and Medical Roadblocks
08:10 Discovering Civilian Aviation
10:34 Rebuilding the Plan After the Military Path Closed
12:27 Financing Flight Training and Taking the Risk
15:51 Flight School, Checkrides, and Learning Through Failure
17:49 The “Now What?” Phase After Earning Your Ratings
20:40 Staying Motivated During the Time-Building Grind
23:39 Networking, Career Decisions, and Avoiding Burned Bridges
26:00 When Mentorship Becomes a Crutch
27:36 Coaching Pilots Through Nontraditional Career Paths
30:07 Mentorship vs. Coaching
32:30 Why Some Aspiring Pilots Don’t Make It
36:06 Balancing Family Life and a Professional Flying Career
40:47 Favorite Aircraft and Flying Experiences
41:59 A Dangerous Inadvertent IMC Encounter
45:03 Get-There-Itis, Proficiency, and Lessons Learned
48:07 Staying Motivated and Giving Back
50:12 Final Thoughts and Closing

Straighten Up and Fly Right is brought to you by Kilo Tango Aviation.

Kenny T sits down with regional airline pilot Mike Christopher in Dallas to explore how a college accounting graduate became a jet-flying pilot in just three years. Mike shares his unconventional journey through the American Airlines Cadet Program, the $100,000 investment required to go from zero flight hours to certified pilot, and how a conversation with his older brother in medical school shifted his mindset from "taking on debt" to "investing in himself." This episode breaks down what cadet programs actually are, the timeline from first flight to regional captain seat, and why Mike's story challenges the myth that you need to be a genius or astronaut to become a pilot. Perfect for anyone considering aviation as a career path or curious about the modern pipeline to the airlines.

00:00 Introduction and Show Overview
01:15 Who is Mike Christopher: Background and Current Role
02:30 The Unexpected Career Pivot: From Accounting Degree to Aviation Dreams
05:45 Childhood Dreams: NFL Wide Receiver vs. Pilot
07:20 How They Met: Fraternity Connection and First Conversation
09:15 What Are Cadet Programs: Airlines' Direct-to-Pilot Pathway
11:45 The Six Major Airline Cadet Programs Explained
14:00 Understanding the Investment: $100,000 Loan for Flight Training
16:30 The Conversation with His Brother: Reframing Debt as Investment
19:45 Accountant Mentality Meets Aviation Risk: Time Value of Money
22:15 How Flight School Funding Works: Loans, Deposits, and Payment Structure
24:45 Biggest Benefit of Full-Time Focus: Aviation 24/7
27:00 The Timeline: July 2022 to September 2025 - Three Years to the Cockpit
30:15 Remarkable Coincidence: Accepted and Hired Exactly Three Years Apart
32:00 Flight Training Reality Check: Easier and More Different Than Expected