We had the good fortune of connecting with Hollie Bellino and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hollie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Thinking back to some of the most memorable, most enjoyable and most exhilarating experiences in my life, risk-taking and making big moves has had an incredibly positive impact on not only how my life has played out but also on my personality and how I conduct myself. I’ve taken many risks in my life whether it was not studying for a test, talking back to my parents, not waiting long enough for food to cool before eating it or misjudging my athletic skills, but there are a few risks in particular that really stand out in my mind.

One of the first risks I took was moving out of my home town where I grew up my entire life to attend a four year university college, The University of Texas at San Antonio. I knew no one there, but it turned into a wonderful experience and allowed me to thrive in an unfamiliar and all-consuming environment. I worked full time in restaurants (4 days a week), went to school full time from morning to evenings (3 days a week), exercised regularly and still had an active social life. While it was an exhausting adventure, I made the most out of my education and developed prioritization and independence.

This risk of leaving my hometown acclimated me to learning how to grow and enjoy the process of understanding and pushing myself to the limit; most of all, it led me to a second big risk, studying abroad for 2 semesters in Turin, Italy. Not knowing the language, not ever having been to Europe and not knowing a single soul in the country definitely made me feel incredibly and overwhelmingly unprepared to go. Regardless, I got a fat loan, petitioned each course I would take in Italy to transfer back to UTSA and bought a one way ticket to Italy. Needless to say I fell hopelessly in love with the country and Europe in general as I travelled to and ate my way through ten other countries in the nine months I lived there. This unique and, quite literally, life changing experience had a big impact on who I am today. Not only am I obnoxiously picky about any pizza, coffee, pesto, gelato and pasta I consume… but I am a much more relaxed, self sufficient, open minded and cultured individual who can still eek out a decently fluent conversation in Italian 12 years later.

That transcontinental risk led me to, you guessed it, my next biggest risk. After graduating Cum Laude from UTSA as a Distinguished Business Student, I stayed in San Antonio trying, and failing, to find what I was meant to do. Soon I was presented with an idea. An idea that meant I could possibly go back to Europe AND get paid to travel AND wear a cute uniform, and that idea was to be a flight attendant. I got the job, left my boyfriend (we didn’t work out, and I am super okay with it), and moved back to the DFW area for my 6 week training. I was a flight attendant for 4 years, and IT WAS AWESOME. It wasn’t always glamorous and exciting, but you know I took advantage of those benefits and traveled as much as I could hitting over another 20 countries that I had never had the pleasure of experiencing before. I met life long friends, made some stupendous core memories and grew even more as a individual.

You know what that risk did for me besides allow me to see this glorious world, teach me how to deal with unruly passengers and pour a beer at 35,000 feet without it foaming over the cup? It led me to the best and riskiest risk I ever took… moving cities yet again, getting ANOTHER loan and starting flight school to become a pilot. Oh man, you guys… becoming a pilot… the hardest thing I have ever done that has been the most fulfilling and exhilarating experience. This is my passion. This is my career, and aviation is my life. After finishing flight school I became a flight instructor to teach others and found that I really thoroughly enjoyed that, but soon was ready for newer, bigger planes. Since then, I’ve flown all kinds of aircraft and started my podcast and YouTube channel (The Aviator’s Guide) devoted to all aspiring and current pilots, and through all of the doubt, the uncertainty and the hard work, I’ve loved every moment.

Ever since I started flying, risk has become an integral part of my life. Every time I get in the air, there is risk, and my job is to mitigate that risk as much as possible. Deciding to be a pilot has introduced risk into my life at such a high level, but I didn’t realize that it would give me an opportunity to take yet another risk that would add to my happiness even more. I met a man in flight school, we adopted a puppy and moved in together after a month, got engaged after a year and a half and married 3 months after that. Now I not only have a man who understands me and my career as he is also a pilot, but a man who could give me the Italian last name that I always wanted.

I’d say risk is a welcomed, dear friend of mine that has been ever present in my life challenging me and forcing the best version of myself into existence, and for that, I am beyond grateful.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
After I graduated flight school with all of my certificates and my associates degree in Flight and Applied Science, I wanted to move back closer to home in the DFW area (I’m from Aledo, but people don’t usually know where that is). I decided to go the CFI route to start building my flight hours after school, so I started looking up flight schools to which I could apply. I didn’t look at job openings, just schools, because I planned to reach out to them regardless of whether or not they said if they were hiring! I found a flight school called Stature Aviation that looked fancy with their Cirrus aircraft and very few instructors. I didn’t think I had a chance. Stature wasn’t hiring, but I emailed them anyway. A few days later, I had a phone interview where I was invited down for an in person interview. They hired me on the spot, and I started soon after.

Working at Stature was so much fun! The planes are beautiful, the facilities new and clean, the company growing and the boss is awesome. I loved my clients I was able to instruct, and I loved growing as a pilot within Stature. After a few months there, I moved to the Fort Worth location and became in charge of the operations there. I continued to contribute to Stature such as building lesson plans, creating the pre-solo written exam, training new instructors and creating an operations manual.

A little over a year into being a CFI, thanks to Zach, I obtained my SIC rating in the citation 500 and began doing contract flights on the weekends. This was a completely different kind of flying in completely different aircraft than what I was used to. Just like being a CFI (certified flight instructor), It taught me a lot and made me a better pilot. I, also, had the opportunity to make even more connections and started learning how we treat each other in the aviation community, most of us, at least. We pay it forward. We’re kind to one another. We share information and training techniques. We help out the next generation of pilots, and that’s when I decided I wanted to start my podcast and YouTube, The Aviator’s Guide.

I want people to know the goal of my podcast is to help out anyone who is or wants to be a pilot because when I decided to be a pilot, I didn’t know what I was doing or how I was going to do it! I didn’t know how to prepare or what to study or what to expect. It. Was. O-ver-whelm-ing. I want to be able to alleviate that uncertainty for other pilots, to encourage them that they can do it and to help them figure out how. Aviation is a small community, and I want to bring us all together to thrive in this amazing industry in which we are so privileged to be ingrained. I never though I could feel this passionate about what my career; it’s a lovely feeling to enjoy what I do.

Some lessons I’ve learned: A lot of “making it” in aviation has to do with perseverance, shooting your shot, networking and “right place, right time” type of instances. If I didn’t reach out to Stature, I wouldn’t have gotten the job. If I wasn’t ever in FBOs, I never would’ve met Zach to help me start flying different, more complex aircraft. All people can do when you ask, is say no, so why not ask? Building your career up in aviation isn’t easy. There is a lot of trying to prove yourself and “pay your dues”, but I truly believe that I have gotten where I am based on my personality and my desire to learn and grow. People thrive off your enthusiasm, and they don’t want to be up in that flight deck with someone they don’t like. Be likable. Be approachable. Be genuine, and TRY. Other pilots will be drawn to your fervor and dedication, and it’s easy to see if it’s real, and remember, aviation is SMALL. First impressions matter. No matter what your experience is or how much you think you know, stay humble. There is always more to learn as a pilot.

My current job is flying a TBM930 and Epic1000. My boss was once my student who I helped get through his private pilot and instrument certifications. People will keep you around if you do well. I put 110% into my CFI job, and it paid off in lots of ways. Zach, the one who started me in contract flying in Citation jets, overheard me debriefing a student in the FBO after an instrument flight. He said he was impressed and wanted to talk about an opportunity. What started out as him wanting me to be an instructor for a client’s daughter, turned into him inviting me to fly in the Citation.

When it all seems like it might be too much, just take it one day, and one goal at a time. Setting small goals for myself really helped. At the end of the day, the hard work really does pay off; you just have to be patient, and enjoy the effort of climbing that aviation mountain. You already know it’ll be worth it at the top.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Downtown Fort Worth for the aesthetic buildings, see a musical at The Bass Hall, eat at Reata, laugh in some abs at Pete’s Piano Bar, pop over for some literature at Barber’s Book store (the oldest bookstore in Texas), have a cocktail at Thompson’s Bookstore Speakeasy, enjoy a relaxing evening listening to Jazz at Scat, light up some cigars at Silver Leaf and stroll through the water gardens.

The Botanical and Japanese Gardens for a picnic and a walk through the butterfly exhibit followed up with the intrigue of The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

The stockyards to try compete in the maze, have margaritas and fajitas at Joe T. Garcia’s and dance our way through Billy Bobs.

An easy hike through the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge and head to the Vintage Flying Museum at Meacham Airport then tacos at Taqueria Temo.

The Fort Worth Zoo followed by the Forest Park Miniature Railroad and fresh juice and nachos at HG Sply.

To Grapevine to shop, eat at Chez Fabian and sip some almond prosecco at Messina Hof.

To Arlington for Six Flags and Texas Live.

To Press Cafe for brunch followed by a rental bike ride down the Trinity.

To Eataly in Dallas for gelato and fresh focaccia.

Take the train to The American Airlines Center for hockey or a concert.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been blessed with an absolutely awesome mom and dad. What I did to deserve two amazing, loving, unique and supportive parents is beyond me, but I owe literally everything to them. They helped me reach all of my goals and all of my dreams and have made so many sacrifices for mine and my sister’s happiness and well being. What’s more than that, they have led by example. Starting out with nothing, they built their lives into a beautiful, strong story and are now reaping the benefits. I only hope that one day I can repay them for everything they selflessly did for me.

Then there’s my chosen family, my besties, my friends that have been an important part my life for over 15 years. Ellie, Alex, and Jacob are some of my all time favorite humans. They’ve seen me at my darkest, supported me when I was down, and continuously build my confidence with their love and encouragement. These types of friendships are rare jewels and deserve to be cherished. I don’t think I could ever express how thankful I am to have them in my life or how much they truly mean to me.

My husband, Joseph, has been my shining star, lighting me in the right direction and giving me hope ever since I met him. He is the absolute best man, not only because he puts up with me, but because he raises me up into my best self. He sees me for who I am and has been all in from the beginning. My aviation adventure would have been much more difficult without him by my side.

Lastly, I have to thank my aviation mentors. My first ground instructor, JJ, is thoughtful, intelligent and spirited. My first instructor, Lance, is patient, hilarious and positive. My first boss as a pilot, Hamp, is generous, caring and passionate. My first mentor, Zach, is selfless, genuine and amiable. My fellow aviator, friend and ex-stage-check airman, Rami, is always available for my call and willing to help. All of these lovely people have helped me get to where I am.

Website: https://linktr.ee/TheAviatorsGuide

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_aviators_guide/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holliebellino

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@the_aviators_guide

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaviatorsguide
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aviators-guide-novice-to-pilot/id1756787963
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28BTNiu5AU2qewcupUTWEP

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.