Capt. Laura Einsetler is a renowned commercial airline pilot, who has shared her passion for aviation with the public as a writer, speaker and media consultant for more than 25 years. Her interest in aviation began as a child, when she began flying as an unaccompanied minor following her parents’ divorce. As a teenager, Ms. Einsetler decided to become a pilot and saved money to begin taking flying lessons at the age of 15, despite the lack of support from her parents.
In 1989, Ms. Einsetler earned an Associate of Arts in general studies from San Joaquin Delta College. She continued her education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, graduating in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical science, aviation and dispatch. From 1994 to 1997, she worked as the director of operations for Wanda Collins Airshows. She further flourished as a captain for Renown Airlines from 1995 to 1998, during which time she would fly chartered and military contract routes. Since 1998, Ms. Einsetler has flown for a major United States-based airline carrier.
Ms. Einsetler began her media career in 1998, blogging at http://www.captainlaura.com, and providing expert commentary on the aviation industry and topics in health and child development to national and regional outlets. She has been active as a guest speaker since 1990, and has appeared on both CBS and CNN, as well as numerous radio and television specials as an aviation consultant. Ms. Einsetler is the author of such books as “Remove Before Flight” in 2016 and “Lost and Found,” a personal memoir about her journey supporting her son through a mysterious illness.
Passionate about supporting women in aviation, Ms. Einsetler has further dedicated her time and attention to the Capt. Jason Dahl Foundation, a nonprofit that provides scholarships to students attending commercial flight training schools. She has been nominated for an Emmy Award and was recognized as the Pilot of the Year by the Ninety-Nines, for which she is a past president. She attributes her success to her natural curiosity, her drive to continually learn and grow, and to the internal strength she gained from surviving a rough past. In the future, Ms. Einsetler hopes to pursue more speaking engagements and inspire others to chase a better quality of life by sharing her stories.