Cochise Newsroom

Flight Instructor Isabella Snyder passes her love for flying onto her students.

 

Isabella Snyder, flight instructor for the Cochise College Aviation program, has been skillfully balancing her work and her aspirations. Snyder said, “I have a love for aviation that I want to share [while] giving back the support that I was given during my training.”  

 

Snyder began teaching in January 2025, soon after she completed her Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) training at Cochise College. Due to the nature of the aviation program, she works closely with students in a one-on-one setting. This ensures that the students are individually getting the rigorous training and constant support required to become capable pilots.  

 

Flying has been something Snyder has wanted to do ever since she was a child. Throughout middle school and high school, she made sure to study hard and increase her knowledge in areas like mathematics, physics, topography, and weather. Snyder took her first introduction flight at age 15. She then began to fly as a student pilot at age 17 with Copper City Aviation.  

 

She then joined Cochise College’s aviation program as a student, where she earned a multi-engine rating with high performance and complex aircraft endorsements. A multi-engine rating is an advanced certificate allowing her to operate a multi-engine aircraft. The high performance and complex aircraft endorsements mean she is proficient and qualified to operate specific aircraft with different horsepower, landing gear, and other equipment. Snyder completed the professional pilot technology associate of applied science degree at the college. 

 

In 2021, Snyder earned her single-engine private pilot license shortly before she completed her associate degree at the college. A single engine private license means the holder can operate a single-engine aircraft for non-commercial purposes. She went on to earn her instrument rating (allowing her to fly in unfavorable weather), and a commercial pilot license.  

 

Then, she earned her flight instructor certificate and instrument flight instructor rating, allowing her to become an aviation instructor on the Douglas Campus.  

 

“I see myself as a coach, not a gatekeeper,” Snyder said. “The instructors I had were patient and supportive, which made learning an enjoyable experience.” She said, along with being supportive, her instructors had high standards for her, and they knew when to be strict. Snyder believes that is the most effective way to be an instructor, and she strives to do the same for her students.  

 

She said, “helping my students reach their goals is a touching privilege. I’ve seen the diligence and dedication they bring to their achievements.”  

 

Snyder will continue to pursue a bachelor’s degree in aviation science at Utah Valley University as she instructs new students in the upcoming semesters. 

 

For more information about the https://www.cochise.edu/programs/aviation.html . 

  

About the author: This article was written by Sofia Snyder, a Liberal Arts student majoring in journalism. She currently serves as a Marketing and Communications intern at Cochise College and is set to graduate in December 2025.