Kelli Darlin at “Girls in Aviation Day 2026”
Kelli Darlin hosted local girls interested in aviation at Million Air Florida Keys (KMTH) with their friends and families. This free community event introduced girls and young women to the exciting world of aviation and hopefully inspired them to explore the many career paths available within the industry.
Kelli Darlin joined other female pilots and professionals from Million Air, Trauma Star, FL Keys Mosquito Control, FWC Aviation, FL Keys Flight Academy, and Monroe County. Many of the girls and young women were able to climb into the aircrafts on the field and sit in the professional pilot's seats.
Kelli Darlin is One of the Most Experienced Piper M600 Pilots in the USA ... Male or Female.
Based at Million Air Florida Keys in Marathon, Florida, Kelli piloted her 2023 Piper M600 turboprop aircraft across the United States, attending every home and away match played by LOVB Houston. Her journey brought together aviation, professional women's sports, and a commitment to supporting athletes that extended far beyond the sidelines.
Over the course of the 2025 season, her travel itinerary covered an impressive 30,669 miles, more than 100 flight hours, and over 20 LOVB Houston matches. She attended more than 85 sets of professional volleyball, traveling between cities that included Atlanta, Austin, Houston, Madison, Omaha, and Salt Lake City, among others.
KELLI DARLIN QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Kelli became a professional private pilot in 2020, building the knowledge and skills needed to operate high-performance aircraft. Her aviation training has included:
- Private Pilot training Florida Keys Flight Academy.
- IFR training through American Flyers.
- Piper M350 training through RWR Pilot Training.
- Piper M600 training through Legacy Flight Training.
She is also a member of the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women pilots, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).
THE STRENGTH OF THE 7%
Women represent only 7% of pilots in USA, yet 50% of the USA citizens. Well documented historical/systemic bias against women in STEM, sports, and the military has made it easy for males to advance without having to compete with more qualified females.
Look no further than NASA's announcement of the all male Artemis III crew to appreciate the persistent and profound bias against identifying, training, and celebrating the women in aviation industry. America has a TON of work to do to level the playing field for females in STEM, sports, aviation, and politics.
If you are a woman and you choose the #tradwife journey, that's awesome. But if you are a young girl, high school student, college student, wife, and or mom, YOU CAN DO IT if you set your mind to it. Don't listen to ANYONE tell you there is any reason why a female can't be just as skilled/qualified/capable as any dude. #womenempowerment in my house.
PLEASE NOTE: Before any of ya'll who oppose ERA start chirping, here's the scientific and military findings regarding male and female pilots.
- Stress Response: A University of Waterloo study found that female pilots made fewer flight control errors and maintained better situational awareness during high-stress emergency simulations. [1, 2]
- Cognitive Strengths: Cognitive tests show minor statistical differences in specific mental tasks. Male applicants often score slightly higher on spatial orientation tests, while female applicants often score higher on perceptual speed and multitasking coordination. [1]
Kelli's professional aviation career and her approach to life are similar in both intelligence and finesse. Strength can take many forms. It can mean learning a complex new skill, navigating unfamiliar destinations, supporting a daughter through her athletic journey, or committing to support women to exceed their life-long, career expectations.
For Kelli, these elements come together in a lifestyle that blends independence, good looks, athletic ability, artistic appreciation, and professional discipline.
Her CrossFit background, including her work as an instructor for local athletes, further reflects her connection to physical fitness and athletic performance. Whether she is in a gym, at an airport, or in the stands at a volleyball match, her interests consistently bring her into environments where dedication and preparation matter.
Tony McLean Brown
A Western NC hillbilly through and through, Tony McLean Brown was born in the small town of Enka-Candler outside of Asheville. His parents re-named him when he was 3 years old to Tony (a nickname provided by his grandfather) McLean (middle name of his Uncle Michael) while retaining his legal surname Brown.
Throughout his career, Tony McLean Brown worked as a farmer, computer programmer, and management consultant – in his adventurous years – author, song-writer, bass player, poet, pilot, mountaineer, certified scuba diver, and competitor in professional bull riding, NASCAR late model racing, Toughman boxing, Crossfit Open, Ironman, pole vaulting, marathon and ultra-marathon running, as well as parenting.
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