CAU grad found her dream career in corporate aviation
As students at California Aeronautical University (CAU) consider their career options, one graduate returned to campus to share her perspective on an aviation path pilots might overlook: corporate flying.
CAU graduate Gelsey Lozano, now a Captain at Wonderful Aviation, knew she wanted the stability and convenience of coming home every night—and that the airline track never quite fit her goals.
“I thought it was just airlines and airlines and more airlines,” she told current CAU students during a recent campus visit. “That’s something I knew I didn’t want to do.”
Today, she flies executives, agricultural leaders, and company representatives for The Wonderful Company—one of the largest privately held organizations in the U.S. and a brand family that includes Fiji Water, Wonderful Pistachios, Justin Wines, Halos, and more. But her journey into the world of corporate aviation began exactly where CAU students sit now: building flight hours, completing coursework toward her degree, and identifying which aviation pathway was right for her.
Building the foundation at CAU
Like many pilots, her proudest moment came early—her first solo flight. “My proudest achievements are twofold: having my family present for my first-ever solo flight and flying my mom in a private jet as a captain,” she reflects. “Sharing my passion for flying with my loved ones made those achievements even more special.”
After completing her bachelor’s degree and earning her flight ratings, she became a CFI at CAU. It was the combination of skill, professionalism, and networking that ultimately opened the door to Wonderful Aviation.
The corporate aviation difference
Corporate flying is something Gelsey recommends for those who want variety and real-time problem-solving. At Wonderful Aviation, the fleet includes King Airs, Caravans, a Pilatus PC–12 NGX, a Citation XLS, and a Gulfstream 280.
“We fly precious cargo—our executives, managers, and farmers. Every day is different,” she explained. “Different routes, different schedules, different problem-solving.”
She describes days that start before sunrise and might include 10 to 12 short legs up and down California, or a full day waiting at an FBO in Palm Springs before an evening departure. With two-pilot operations across the fleet, captains and first officers work closely as a team, flying, coordinating, greeting passengers, and representing the company with professionalism and warmth.
“You’re not just a pilot—you’re the face of the company,” she said. “They already know you can fly. They want to know what kind of person you are.”
A path for pilots who want something different
Her message to students was simple: there is more than one way to be a commercial pilot. For those who want to be home most nights, enjoy a close-knit crew culture, prefer variety over routine, or like solving real-time operational challenges, corporate aviation may be the perfect fit.
Her advice to future aviators—no matter their path—is equally straightforward:
“Do it tired. Do it scared. Just do it. Sacrifice a few years of comfort for decades of freedom.”