Flying isn’t just a skill for Dr. Michaela—it’s a way of being. She has a deep passion for radial engines, flying boats, and vintage aircraft. She took 1st Place in the 2023 Palms to Pines Air Race flying her 1947 Piper SuperCruiser, Poptart—winning in the slowest airplane in the field using nothing but classic stick-and-rudder discipline.

She has also navigated a real in-flight structural emergency, an experience that sharpened her instincts, deepened her love for aviation, and strengthened her ability to stay calm and focused in high-pressure situations.

Aviation has always mirrored the way she coaches and teaches. Overcoming fear is about understanding the risk, creating safety, and doing it anyway. Her philosophy centers on cultivating a growth mindset, learning to navigate turbulence, trusting your internal instruments, and making peace with the unknown.

That same philosophy inspired her first-ever aeronautical book tour—a transcontinental flight in her 1944 Stinson Reliant V77—and fueled the creation of Scarlett & Co., her vintage-inspired aviation clothing line for women who crave both style and function.

Every time she flies, she remembers that clarity comes from gaining perspective above the clouds, but confidence is born from navigating the turbulence.

Readers can explore more of these journeys and projects throughout this section.