21 Jun 2016 Tia Massa: Pilot in training

Story and photos
by Callie Sterling

Recent St. Joseph High School graduate Tia Massa plans to give back through military service. She was accepted to the Air Force Academy, where she will spend the next four years training to become a pilot. She will begin basic training this summer.  

“I am excited to start a new chapter at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.,” Massa said. “I knew I wanted to be a pilot by the time I was in fifth grade. My dad, uncle and grandfather are all big airplane nuts. My dad and grandfather were both in the military and they took me to an air show at the Little Rock Air Force Base. From that moment, I was hooked and knew I wanted to fly planes some day.”

Massa began looking into a degree in aeronautical engineering. She researched top colleges in her field and found that the Air Force Academy had an impressive program.

“I kept researching colleges and when I came across the Air Force Academy I knew that would be perfect for me,” Massa said.

Massa is interested in learning to fly a C-130, one of the largest airplanes in use by the United States Military.    

“I am really drawn to the C-130s because of their size,” Massa said. “It is amazing that they are so large, yet glide through the air with ease. A lot of people are interested in flying the jets, but the C-130 really appeals to me. They are often overlooked but are still a very vital aircraft. They are not the biggest aircraft that the military uses, but they are very large.”

Massa believes that the Air Force Academy will enhance her leadership skills, while providing her an education and hands-on training.

“I think the Air Force Academy will push me to my limits and as a result it will make me a better leader,” Massa said. “I have never been in an environment quite like the environment that I am expecting at the academy. I am excited and nervous all at the same time.”

The application process for the Air Force Academy requires a nomination from a member of the U.S. Congress. Every applicant must attain a nomination as the first step before an appointment can be secured. Securing an appointment, after a nomination is received, is how each candidate officially begins the application process. Attaining a nomination is extremely competitive. Congressman French Hill nominated Massa, which made her officially eligible for an appointment with the Air Force Academy.

“Not everyone who receives a nomination will get accepted into the academy, but it is where every applicant must start,” Massa said.

After spending four years at the Air Force Academy, Massa hopes to attend pilot training school for five additional years. Once finished with pilot training school, Massa plans to serve as an active duty member of the military.

“I was born and raised in Arkansas, and I am looking forward to hopefully getting the opportunity to travel with the military,” Massa said. “I hope to one day get stationed in Hawaii; it would be like being on a constant vacation for work. I am excited to see where this journey leads me.”