Finding Greatness: Madelyn Miskell

Author: Sheron Smith
Posted: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 12:00 AM
Categories: School of Aviation | Pressroom | Finding Greatness | Students

Eastman, GA

Madelyn "Maddy" Miskell
Madelyn "Maddy" Miskell

MGA aviation student Madelyn Miskell is pursuing her dream of becoming an airline pilot while embracing opportunities to grow as a campus leader. A recent competitor in the Air Race Classic, Miskell has learned firsthand that finding greatness sometimes means overcoming unexpected challenges and moving forward.

  • Major: Aviation Science and Management
  • Activities: Eastman Campus Activities Board, Women in Aviation, Wingwomen, Maintenance Club Secretary, Phi Mu, Emerging Leaders
  • Graduation: Spring 2028
  • Career Goal: Airline Pilot

What motivates you?

I have always wanted to be an airline pilot, and much of my motivation comes from not wanting to let little me down while also carrying on my family’s aviation legacy. There are definitely days when I want to quit, but I remind myself that the end goal will be worth it. I’ve been working toward this dream for longer than I can remember, and knowing how proud younger me would be of where I am today keeps me going, even on the difficult days.

What’s one word friends/family would use to describe you?

Kind. I put others before myself and genuinely care about the people around me and what interests them. I’ll happily listen to someone go on a tangent about something I know nothing about simply because I enjoy seeing them get excited about it. At the end of the day, I love spending time with people and making sure those around me feel heard, valued, and cared for.

What’s something you’re proud of during your time at MGA?

I haven’t been at MGA for very long, but I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve accomplished in the short time I’ve been here. I’ve become a club secretary, been accepted to Alternative Fall Break, where I’ll have the opportunity to work with chimpanzees, joined a leadership development program, and stepped outside my comfort zone by joining a sorority.

More than any one accomplishment, I think I’m most proud of allowing myself to grow. Over the past few months, I’ve pushed myself to try things I never would have considered before, and I’ve gotten to see myself flourish in ways I never expected. I’m really proud of that growth.

What’s been your biggest challenge?

I don’t necessarily like to think of it as a challenge, but more as a setback. While competing in this past year’s Air Race Classic, I was surrounded by pilots who were much older and more experienced than I was, including my own teammates. Near the end of the race, we experienced a complete engine failure and had to land our airplane in a field off the airport.

It was one of the most frightening experiences I’ve ever had while flying, and afterward it affected my confidence in the airplane for a while. However, I’ve always believed that sometimes you have to get right back in the saddle, so that’s what I did. Just three days later, after our airplane received the necessary maintenance, my teammates and I got back in the airplane and unofficially finished the race.

That experience definitely set me back for a while, but it also taught me a lot about resilience. I’ve slowly rebuilt my confidence, continued my flight training, and learned that progress doesn’t always happen as quickly as you expect. Sometimes, simply moving forward is an accomplishment in itself.

What does “finding greatness” mean to you?

To me, finding greatness means doing what you can to become the best version of yourself. I don’t think greatness always means achieving the biggest goal or taking the most direct path. Sometimes, the detours along the way are what shape you into the person you’re meant to become.

I’ve had plenty of detours throughout my flying and college journey, but each one has helped me grow. Whether it’s volunteering, helping others, stepping outside of my comfort zone, or simply becoming a better person, I believe those things are just as important as reaching a goal. Finding greatness is about becoming someone you can be proud of, no matter what path it takes to get there.

What’s next for you after MGA?

After I graduate from MGA, my goal is to begin flying for a regional or smaller airline while potentially pursuing my master’s degree. I also want to continue giving back to my community by encouraging young people, especially women, to get involved in aviation and showing them that an aviation career is possible.

Ultimately, my goal is to become a pilot for a major airline. However, I don’t just want to focus on getting to that destination. I want to use the opportunities I have along the way to inspire others and give back to the aviation community that has given me so much.