Born and raised in California, Melissa has been passionate about aviation since taking to the skies in 2023. Holding a Commercial Pilot Certificate and a Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII) rating, she brings both technical precision and genuine enthusiasm to the training environment at Independence Aviation.

With a diverse background that includes holding a cosmetology license, Melissa brings a unique perspective on client service, detail-oriented care, and hands-on skill development. Driven originally by a spirit of curiosity and a desire for adventure, she quickly discovered a deep lifelong love for flight—one she now dedicatedly shares with her students. Her flight background includes primary flight training at United Aviate Academy and extensive experience navigating Colorado’s unique dynamic airspace, high-density altitude environments, and mountain flying conditions. Melissa also gives back to the community as a volunteer pilot for Pilots N Paws.

When she is not in the cockpit, Melissa takes full advantage of the outdoors as an avid hiker and certified scuba diver. She also enjoys painting, traveling to new destinations, and maintaining an active lifestyle focused on strength training, mobility, and outdoor exploration.