Mikhailenco Tatiana

About

Tatiana Mikhailenko, originally from the Republic of Moldova, moved to the United States of America in 2003, settling in San Diego, California, where she transformed her passion for aviation into a successful career. A graduate as a commercial pilot and certified instrument flight instructor (CFII), she teaches courses for private pilot (PPL), instrument (INS), and commercial (COM) licenses on Cessna 172 and 182 aircraft. Active since December 2023 at Pacific Coast Flyers and since August 2022 at Pinnacle Aviation Academy in Carlsbad, Tatiana completed all her training at KCRQ airport, contributing to the development of the new generation of pilots in a safe and engaging environment. Her professional story is deeply influenced by a family of aviators: her father, a former Soviet fighter pilot who became a corporate captain, her brother a fighter test pilot, and her sister a helicopter pilot, all inspired her to pursue her dream. Previously, Tatiana worked for four years as a corporate flight attendant, developing essential skills in communication, corporate culture, and crew resource management (CRM), which she later applied in her transition to piloting. Diversifying her talents, she has owned Tatiana M. Photography since 2010, specializing in wedding, portrait, and event photography in Carlsbad, capturing authentic emotions and building lasting relationships with clients. Passionate about the world around her, Tatiana spends her free time with her family, baking, listening to music, taking photos, and exploring different cultures and languages. Coming from a close-knit family that offered her unconditional support, she shares her vast experience to encourage others' dreams in aviation, promoting values such as perseverance and the joy of flight. Her contribution to the aviation community in Southern California positions her as a role model for Moldovan women succeeding in technical and creative fields abroad.