Award-winning Auburn student gives back to 'aviation family'

Charlotte Tuggle | 7/17/2024

Professional flight senior Emily Brutko is realizing her childhood dream of becoming a pilot. She's an accomplished student aviator and rising star in flight instruction, but even more, she hopes to be an inspiration to girls with their eyes on the sky.

Brutko grew up in an aviation family. Her father, Barry, is a private pilot and owns a plane like those in the Auburn Aviation fleet. Since her first flight, she's had her sights set on a program like Auburn's – one with a family atmosphere that would prepare her for the flight deck.

"Once you catch the aviation bug, it really never goes away," Brutko said. "I've dreamt of being an airline pilot since I was that little 12-year-old girl that got to fly with her dad for the first time. I'm very excited to flight instruct, and once I can go fly the big jets and go travel the world, I think that's going to be the most rewarding experience of my life."

When Brutko was a child, her father took her on a tour of Verizon's headquarters, where she saw their brand-new airplanes and met a female pilot hired to fly them. Years later, Verizon Chief Pilot Traci Beck helped facilitate Verizon's visit to Auburn's Business Aviation Days, where Brutko was the one giving the tour.

"That was really a full circle moment," Brutko said. "I remember being 10 or 11 and seeing their brand-new airplanes, and then I got to meet a corporate pilot for Verizon, who flew down here, and then I got to show him our brand-new airplanes. That was pretty cool to be able to educate him, show him what Auburn is all about and just to be able to give back."

Giving back is an important part of Brutko's character. She's been involved with Alpha Eta Rho, the Striped Wings Aviation Ambassadors, War Eagle Flying Team and the War Eagle chapter of Women in Aviation International. As director of philanthropy for The Ninety-Nines, she helped raise more than $3,000 for Challenge Air, which organizes confidence-building flying experiences for children and young adults with disabilities across the country.

Brutko also represented Auburn's female pilot population at events including Girls in Aviation Day. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, women represent 10% of pilot's license holders, and only 8.5% of certified flight instructors. Auburn women in aviation far exceed those averages, making up 21% of the professional flight program.

For Brutko, who saw Auburn ambassadors at airshows as a child, inspiring others while pursuing her own dreams made choosing Auburn the "best decision" she’s ever made.

"Being able to not only do things for the Auburn community, but also a worldwide community has been so rewarding," Brutko said. "I have met my lifelong best friends. I have gone to all these crazy competitions, got to fly the airplanes and kind of just get real world experience while still being a student at Auburn. It's awesome."

Next, Brutko will serve as a certified flight instructor (CFI) in the School of Aviation. Her proficiency for teaching has already been recognized by SAFECON, the National Intercollegiate Flying Association's annual tournament focused on safety and excellence.

Brutko won the top prize in the CFI category, beating more than 30 flight instructors across the country, many with more experience than her. At the time, Brutko had just taken half of her flight instructor check ride. She believes her passion for the psychology behind teaching set her apart from her competitors.

"Everyone has these stick and rudder skills, but what sets special pilots apart is their motivation and their passion to be there," Brutko said. "Even if you ask any of our Auburn Aviation students, each one of us has a different reason to be here. I think that's so interesting to hear the 'Why?' behind everybody’s want to fly."

After graduation, Brutko will seek a position at one of the major airlines. Just as her family at home in Pennsylvania led her to a career in aviation, she knows the Auburn Family will follow her success forever.

"This is truly my family," Brutko said. "I like to say we have our aviation family, and we have our Auburn Family, and the Auburn Family will travel with you everywhere you go. You go to the airport, and you'll get 'War Eagle!'s everywhere. It really is that family that is always going to have your back."

Learn more about the School of Aviation in the College of Liberal Arts.

Tags: Aviation Students