Jet Linx Pilot Michele Sonier had a plane and private pilot certificate before she had a driver’s license or car – and she earned her pilot’s license just one day shy of her 45th birthday.

But before we get too far ahead, we have to remember that Sonier began her professional career by navigating the fast-paced world of Wall Street, working in securities trading and global finance. As a lifelong traveler with a passion for adventure, Sonier’s journey to the cockpit wasn’t a straight line, but a story of perseverance and the pursuit of purpose.

In this special Women’s History Month edition of Interview with an Aviator, Sonier shares how and why she left a successful career in finance to chase her dream of flying. She opens up about the mentors who helped her along the way, the challenges she faced as she transitioned into aviation, and what she loves most about flying for Jet Linx.

Her story is a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to start over, follow your passion, and take control of your own flight path.

tell us about your background.

I grew up outside of New Orleans and graduated from Loyola University of New Orleans with a BA in communications and a minor in marketing – becoming the first person in my family to earn a college degree. I then moved to New York City and attended Fordham University where I earned an MBA in finance and international business. After I got my MBA, I stayed in New York for 25 years working in securities trading, institutional sales and in global treasury. I worked in various trading areas including securities, options, futures, and commodities. I initially worked on the NASDAQ trading floor and later moved to the New York Stock Exchange.

I loved living in New York City and loved my job, but 9/11 became an inflection point in my life both personally and professionally. I had plans to be in the Twin Towers that day, but through a course of inexplicable events, I had a change of plans that did not put me inside the buildings, but it did give me a front row seat for everything that happened. For the next few years, I debated leaving finance and leaving New York. However, the factors that led me to do that and find aviation didn’t happen until 2016

when did your interest in aviation begin?

I had a keen interest in travel as kid. We were an RV family who went camping so I didn’t really know anything about aviation or even considered flying a plane until I was in my 20s living in New York. I met someone taking flight lessons at the East Hampton airport and I thought it was the coolest thing and couldn’t get the idea out of my head. Unfortunately, when I went to check it out, the cost was way out of my budget so I just put the idea on hold.

are any of your relatives involved in aviation?

No. Not at all. My parents are scared to fly and only do it when they have to, although my dad was my first passenger after I got my private license.

describe your career path before coming to jet linx.

After 2008, the finance industry started making many changes and I formed my exit strategy by going back to school. I got a masters in nutrition and went on to further graduate studies in alternative medicine. I was building my own wellness practice while still working in banking when the universe decided it had other plans.

My mother needed assistance after a fight with cancer so I took six weeks off and flew down to New Orleans. While there, I realized I had lost the passion for my job and was becoming dissatisfied with the industry. I finally took my first flight lesson in 2016 and eventually decided to get my license and buy my own plane (nicknamed Charlie Cessna). After a while, I secured a job at FlightSafety as a right seat supporter where I helped train many Jet Linx pilots. After doing some contract flying, I finally joined Jet Linx as a pilot in 2022 for an aircraft based in Fort Worth. Though, I do still maintain my securities credentials and my board certification in alternative medicine. 

what are your thoughts on the safety culture at jet linx?

One of the first things that attracted me to Jet Linx was the emphasis on safety. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I like that airplanes get fixed promptly and we fly with nice equipment, but safety is the backbone of this organization, and our leaders invest both time and money to improving safety daily.

what do you enjoy most about your job?

I like the type of flying we do and I enjoy the variety. No day is ever quite the same. For me, the dream has always been flying corporate because of the challenges of small airports and the efficiency of getting our clients exactly where they want to go. Before becoming a pilot, I would usually choose to travel outside of the U.S. when on vacation, but this role has allowed me to explore much more of the country and discover a lot of places I would like to return to. I also work with great people and the office views from my Citation are certainly better than my former office in banking.

what would you like people to know or better understand about being a pilot?

The journey is going to be what you make of it. Pilot life looks glamorous on social media but it isn’t for the faint of heart. I think you really must love it to make a career of it. It takes a lot of determination, commitment and sacrifice to be successful. You’ll miss holidays, family gatherings and you will work when everyone else is home. But if you’re passionate about it, there’s no greater job in the world.

how does your former professional career apply to piloting?

When I say to people I used to trade stocks for a living, they are usually amazed at the big change. Yes, flying employs a completely different skill set but at the end of the day, flying and trading are both about risk mitigation and processing a lot of information quickly. I’d say those are my strengths in the cockpit and are just as important as the stick and rudder skills. Risk assessment and making good decisions are what count when things go sideways. 

do you have a favorite flight route or any favorite destinations?

I grew up in New Orleans and my parents are there, so a layover at home is always nice. I also get excited about trips to Jackson, Wyoming. Even though I’ve been there several times, landing next to the Tetons gives me pinch-me vibes every time. Telluride, Colorado, is a close second. One of my first Owner trips on my current aircraft was to Cabo and that was the start of a great friendship with one of the best mentors in my career. 

did you have a mentor who helped you along your journey becoming a pilot?

I’ve had so many people help me along my journey that I could not possibly name and thank them all. I’ve gravitated to former military pilots as mentors because I like their structured organized approach, the thorough briefing and debriefing, and the push to learn something from every flight. One mentor in particular stands out and he truly is the reason I’m still flying. He flew F4s in Vietnam and had a 30-year career in the airlines while still instructing in small planes and chasing down world records in air racing. When he tells me I’m a good pilot, it’s still hard to believe, but I know he doesn’t dole out the compliments unless he’s impressed and means it. He’s my toughest critic aside from myself but he’s also my biggest cheerleader. When things get tough, it is his voice in my head telling me what to do.  

what aircraft are you typed on, and how many flight hours do you have?

I’m typed on the Citation 500 series and the Citation 560XL. I hit 3,000 hours back in November 2024. 

do you have a favorite aircraft to fly?

I love the Citation XLS, and the XLS+ is really nice, too. I own a Lancair Legacy RG that is a former Reno air racer. It’s a little rocket and very demanding but fun. I also love the utility of my V-tail Bonanza. I cut my teeth in that airplane and have literally flown all over the U.S. in it. I got my tail wheel endorsement in a Ryan PT-22, one of the WW2 trainers. It is open cockpit and lots of fun but it’s a slow mover. It took nine legs to get to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in it from Texas. I’ve dabbled in glider flying as my mentor teaches it. I’d love to get a glider and a seaplane rating if I can ever find the time!

are you involved in any aviation organizations?

Yes, I’m a member of the 99s, New Orleans chapter. It’s an organization for women pilots, and they really took me under their wing. They gave me scholarships that helped me get my flight ratings, which was huge, but it was more than just the money. During my training, there were times I felt completely discouraged, like I just couldn’t do it. And the women in the 99s were there, cheering me on, reminding me why I started. I’m in this text group with about 50 of them now, and we’re constantly sharing stories, not just about flying, but about life in general. It’s just a constant source of support.

I’m also really involved with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). I love participating in the annual air races to Oshkosh. It’s another amazing community, just full of supportive people who share my passion.

what is your best aviation story?

So many to choose from but my favorite is probably flying my Jet Linx plane into Lakefront, New Orleans, with my parents watching me land. I started my aviation journey there in my own Cessna 172, so it was a full-circle moment to land a Citation XLS there. My mom is also losing her eyesight to eye cancer, so her seeing me live my dream while she still has enough vision was super important.

what is something that people may not know about you? Or do you have any hobbies you’d like to share?

A lot of people don’t know about my background in wellness. I love scuba diving and don’t get to do that enough. I also research my layovers heavily and find museums, restaurants, hikes or some interesting activities to do wherever we go. 

What advice would you share with a younger pilot or someone interested in getting into the aviation industry, especially a female?

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Don’t talk yourself out of it or make excuses for why you can’t do it. For too long I had a job that I was great at, but not passionate about. It was fun for a while, but it became a grind, and I found so many reasons for staying in it despite being unfulfilled. But now I’m following my dream. I say you’re never too old to start. I got my private pilot certificate the day before my 45th birthday and I’ve never been happier.