Casey Raymond is, by all accounts, a remarkable young woman. At just 20 years old, she has earned her commercial pilot certificate and is working toward becoming a flight instructor. She is involved in several aviation clubs and organizations, employed at Mac Air in Portland, Maine, and is working toward a bachelor of applied science degree in Aviation at the 天美传媒 (UMA). Casey鈥檚 love of all things aviation knows no bounds.
Early Interest, Early Setback
At the age of 15, Casey knew she was going to be a pilot, although it wasn鈥檛 her first career choice. 鈥淲hen I was younger, I wanted to be an aerospace engineer,鈥� she said. Casey had an aptitude for math and was enchanted by the idea of space flight. However, when her high school guidance counselor suggested she attend a piloting workshop sponsored by UMA, Casey jumped at the opportunity. After her discovery flight in January of 2020, her path became clear. Casey enrolled in flight school.
Casey鈥檚 fledgling aspirations hit some bumpy air at the outset. She began her aviation studies, working hard to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for that first big milestone鈥攕olo flight. In March of 2020, she went for the required Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight medical test and was faced with a setback. They discovered Casey had type-1 diabetes and the FAA requires one year of disease management data before granting flight approval. Though the setback was disappointing, Casey is ultimately grateful, 鈥渇lying saved my life,鈥� she said. This discovery coincided with the beginning of COVID-19 when access to medical care was severely inhibited. but Casey was given a plan and did what was needed to get her blood sugar under control and managed.
Casey persevered through the setback. Knowing she would eventually attend UMA, she earned college credits through AP high school classes and early college courses. In addition, through a partnership between UMA and the flight school Casey attended鈥擬aine Instrument Flight based in Augusta, Maine鈥攕he was able to apply her flight training as credits toward her university degree.
Casey Takes Off
At long last, after a year of diabetes management, countless calls to the FAA, paperwork, and more than a little patience, Casey made her first solo flight in May of 2021. 鈥淢y favorite thing about flying is the moment when you initially lift off the ground. That moment of separation; there’s no way to describe it until the first time you do it solo.鈥� Casey has been unstoppable ever since. She earned her private pilot certificate in February of 2022, her instrument rating in June of 2023, and her commercial pilot certificate in July of 2024. But Casey isn鈥檛 done yet. She is working toward becoming a flight instructor and began her studies at UMA Aviation Maintenance Technician School in pursuit of a bachelor鈥檚 degree.
Though Casey is the only female student in her cohort, she is in good company. Maria Wilcox, Aviation Maintenance Program Coordinator and instructor at UMA, has worked in aviation maintenance for over eight years and serves as a role model for Casey. Despite the challenges she has faced, Maria finds fulfillment in her work. 鈥淚 love what I do and can鈥檛 imagine doing anything else,鈥� Maria says. 鈥淚t isn鈥檛 easy being a woman in this field, but if there is anyone who can succeed at it, it鈥檚 Casey. She has a lot of drive and interest, and she fits in well with others.鈥� Casey鈥檚 enthusiasm, curiosity and drive buoy her above stereotypes as she focuses on the work and the joy of doing something she loves.
When Casey completes the five-semester certificate program she can immediately sit for the exams required to become an FAA-certified Airframe & Powerplant technician/mechanic, allowing her to work on a wide range of aircraft, including general aviation planes, airliners and helicopters.
Giving Back
Casey鈥檚 studies are important to her, but there is more to her life than just school. She is involved in leadership roles in a number of aviation clubs and organizations in her area. She was a summer counselor in Bangor at ACE Camp鈥擜viation Careers Education鈥攁 nation-wide program co-sponsored by the FAA and the U.S. Military. Geared toward high schoolers seeking aviation careers, the camp offers classes, hands-on projects, leadership training and, of course, flying. She never got to attend as a highschooler but loved being a counselor and getting to see the behind-the-scenes planning and sharing her love of flying with the campers.
Casey volunteers at the Owls Head Transportation Museum in Rockland, Maine, home to numerous functioning antique planes that require regular maintenance, and sometimes her smaller stature also comes in handy. 鈥淭he planes were not ergonomically designed,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey often call on me to get in a cockpit or to reach behind an engine.鈥� Unfortunately, Casey hasn鈥檛 had much opportunity to fly the antiques. 鈥淢ost are tailwheels. I鈥檝e got my endorsement, but the museum requires 200 hours of tailwheel to fly their planes. I鈥檝e got about three so far.鈥�
Currently serving as the public relations officer of the UMA Aeronautical Society, Casey builds community within the aviation program through support and advocacy. 鈥淲e鈥檒l be at a fly-in and she will know everyone there. She has more connections in the aviation world than anyone I know.鈥� said Cole Martin, president of the UMA Aeronautical Society. 鈥淐asey makes sure each student gets connected with an experienced pilot who shares the student鈥檚 interest and can explain career options,鈥� he noted. 鈥淔lying is more than airlines and private jets. There鈥檚 mail flights, cropdusting, rescue and humanitarian work,鈥� remarked Cole, 鈥淥ur main things are showing people what鈥檚 possible and spreading the love of aviation. Casey is a huge part of that.鈥�
Another strength Casey brings to the club is organization. Cole remarked, 鈥渟he organized an entire fly-in here in Augusta with pilots from all over Maine, coordinating everything with the airport and pilots. Everyone knew where to park; she arranged for food. They all got to see the school. It was great!鈥�
Her newest role, however, is also her biggest. Casey was recently appointed chairwoman of the Katahdin Wings Chapter of the New England section of The Ninety-Nines, Inc., International Organization of Women Pilots. Founded by 99 women pilots, Amelia Earhart was the group鈥檚 first president in 1931. As chairwoman, this young aviator not only organizes and runs meetings for the approximately 30 members in her chapter but also facilitates section meetings which includes securing meeting space, hotel rooms and meals for the attendees. 鈥淣ext year our chapter is hosting the international conference,鈥� Casey beamed. She is clearly up for the challenge.
Finding Community
Though Casey does not fit the stereotypes for either a pilot or a mechanic, she feels at home in the aviation community. 鈥淎viation is a small, interwoven community and I find everyone to be really supportive and protective,鈥� said Casey, who often brings her parents along to fly-ins. 鈥淧eople will sometimes walk up to my dad and start talking about planes. He鈥檚 a nurse and has never been into this stuff,鈥� Casey mused. 鈥淲hen he tells them that I鈥檓 the pilot, they may be a little surprised and embarrassed, but just shift the conversation over to me.鈥�
Charting a Course for the Future
For folks interested in aviation, Casey offers this advice: 鈥淒on鈥檛 think it鈥檚 not an option. It will take a lot of time and a lot of money, but everyone in the aviation community has been through the exact same thing, and they want to see you succeed. They have genuine enjoyment and passion for flying and want to share it, and there are many organizations that offer scholarships and support. I鈥檓 not going to pretend it鈥檚 easy, but there are a lot of people to help you.鈥� Casey herself is one of those people. 鈥淲hat inspires me most about Casey is she never takes no as an answer,” says her mother Carrie Raymond. 鈥淚nstead, she says ‘I can do this,鈥� and 鈥榣et me show you how.鈥�”
Casey has high hopes for her future after graduating from UMA. Her goal is to own her own plane and fly humanitarian missions. 鈥淔lights are a lifeline for remote populations. It’s a specific type of work, going into their very small airstrips in challenging conditions. I鈥檓 studying maintenance because if something goes wrong on a mission, I will need to repair my own plane,鈥� she wisely notes. Exactly what form her humanitarian service will take is still up in the air. 鈥淭here are so many options. I want to help smaller communities thrive by flying in food and supplies or flying their goods out to more lucrative markets where they can fetch better prices,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I鈥檇 also like to do work flying for Doctors Without Borders or aerial firefighting.鈥� Whatever course she chooses, if her future is anything like her present, Casey will likely do it all and do it with excellence. Friend and flight instructor Jonathan Ward says, 鈥淪ometimes you meet people in life that you know are going to change the world. Casey is one of them.鈥�