High Above the Valley

ONE WOMAN IS MAKING AVIATION MORE ACCESSIBLE— ONE FLIGHT AT A TIME

Words by Dakota Jacobi-Stephenson

When I first met Tricia Crinklaw (formerly Pierce) owner of Pierce Aircraft Sales, I was expecting to interview a seasoned pilot about her career in aviation and her mission to encourage more women to take to the skies. What I didn’t expect was to walk away from our meeting seriously considering getting my pilot’s license.

That’s the Tricia effect.

It all started when she invited me to experience an introductory flight— something she offers to women of all ages, not just as a thrill, but as a window into a career most have never even considered. As we approached the plane, Tricia guided me through every single step. And I mean every step—including how to gracefully scrabble into the small aircraft, which is trickier than you’d think.

Once inside, headset on, she immediately put me at ease. “There’s no such thing as a dumb question,” she told me, inviting me to ask away. I did. She answered everything—mechanics, controls, gauges, even how to stay calm when you're thousands of feet above the ground.

And somewhere between the pre-flight checklist and the moment the wheels left the ground, I felt something I didn’t expect: completely comfortable and totally exhilarated. That’s why Tricia does what she does.

From Airshow Dreamer To Aviation Leader

Tricia’s love of flight began in the most relatable way—watching planes from the ground as a little girl at weekend airshows with her family. “I remember thinking, ‘I wish I could marry a pilot so he could take me flying,’” she said. “It never crossed my mind that I could be the pilot.”

Years later, while attending college in San Jose and working parttime as a receptionist booking flights at a flight school, she was required to take a lesson as part of her job. She was hooked. Despite early doubts about being able to actually become a pilot, Tricia kept going. She went on to earn her instructor, commercial, and airline transport ratings—an impressive feat in any industry, but especially in one where only about 10% of pilots are women.

Building An Inspiring Business With Integrity

After deciding that airline life wasn’t for her, Tricia found her niche in aircraft brokerage. When a longtime local broker and mentor retired, she took over the business and launched Pierce Aircraft Sales in 2000. Today, the company helps clients buy and sell aircraft, and also offers aerial photography, certified ash scattering, and yes— those inspiring introductory flights.

Her background as a highly-rated pilot and instructor adds unique value. “A lot of brokers don’t have the flying experience I do,” she explained. “When a client hires me, I’m at the inspections. I’m under the tail, talking to mechanics. I’ve been through enough pre-purchase inspections to know what to look for.”

But what struck me most was how she runs her business—with integrity and trust. “My mentor told me, ‘Never get greedy,’” she said. “I treat every client fairly, whether they’re buying a little airplane or a jet.”

HER MISSION: BREAKING THE AVIATION MOLD

What Tricia is most passionate about, though, is helping women experience the power of flight firsthand. “When I soloed for the first time, I thought, ‘No one is here to help me right now. I’m doing this alone.’ It was terrifying—and incredibly empowering. I want more women to feel that.”

She’s helped women from all walks of life—an 80-year-old who’d never been in a small plane, a dental hygienist who decided to pursue their license after just one flight, and even a 55-year-old divorce attorney who now flies her own aircraft.

She’s now working on a scholarship-based program that will offer free intro flights to women, funded by local businesses and supporters. “I already have the knowledge, the skills, and the airplane,” she told me. “Now I just need help covering the fuel, insurance, and other costs to make it accessible.”

Beyond Fear And The Unknown

One of the biggest obstacles women face in exploring aviation, Tricia says, is the fear of the unknown. “When people see the gauges and switches, they assume they could never understand it. I felt the same way. But it’s baby steps. Instructors teach you everything. Before you know it, you’re landing the plane.”

She also emphasizes the safety of flying, especially compared to driving. “Planes are subject to rigorous checks and maintenance. It’s not dangerous—it’s incredibly regulated.”

A Personal Takeoff

By the time we landed, I completely understood what she meant. My mind was racing, but in the best way. I wasn’t just impressed—I was inspired. There’s something contagious about Tricia’s energy. It sticks with you, long after the wheels hit the ground.

And I’m not the only one.

“My goal is to show women what’s possible,” she said. “Even if they just fly once and go home saying, ‘Hey, I flew an airplane today,’ that’s something. But if it turns into a career? Even better.”

She still carries a newspaper clipping from the day of her first solo cross-country flight. Her horoscope read:

“There are no limitations except the ones you set for yourself.”

It’s a message she lives by—and now, thanks to her, it’s a message I carry with me too..

Tricia Crinklaw President of Pierce Aircraft Sales

9521 Airport Drive, Visalia, CA 93277 www.pierceaircraftsales.com | tricia@pierceaircraftsales.com

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