CAU Alumni Success

California Aeronautical University is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our alumni. At CAU, student success is our greatest pride, and we’re honored to have been the educational partner of these remarkable aviation professionals. From the flight decks of airlines and private charter operators to the hangars of innovative organizations, explore the inspiring stories of our graduates and how CAU supported their journey to success in the skies and beyond.

Alumni Spotlight

Carrie Certuche

Director of Maintenance at Kern County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit

Aviation Maintenance Technology
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John Griffiths

Captain at Avelo Airlines

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Miguel Diaz

First Officer at Delta Air Lines

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

See More Alumni Success

Featured Alumni Story

From a small town in India to the cockpit of a commercial airliner in the United States, Mannat Toor's journey is nothing short of remarkable. Through hard-work, dedication, and earning two degrees at California Aeronautical University – a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics and Master of Aviation Science, Mannat transformed her passion for aviation into a career as Captain for SkyWest Airlines.

Mannat’s journey to SkyWest:

Smiling woman in a dark pilot or captain uniform with gold sleeve stripes, seated in a hotel lobby reception area.

In Our Own Words: Taking Dreams to Reality

July 16, 2024 March 31, 2025 Mannat Toor Alumni

Aviation has always been my passion, a love affair that began with the simple act of looking up at the sky and dreaming of flightRead Mannat Toor's story→

Alumni Success

Aaron Hepps

A330 International First Officer at Delta Air Lines

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics
Master of Aviation Science

Blaise Pock

Captain at PlaneSense

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Carlos Gonzalez

Level II Turbine Technician at GE Vernova

Aviation Maintenance Technology

Carrie Certuche

Director of Maintenance at Kern County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit

Aviation Maintenance Technology
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Courtney Papion

First Officer at SkyWest Airlines

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Dennis Firestone

First Officer at Horizon Air

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

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Elza Nikita

Airbus 330 International First Officer

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics
Master of Aviation Science

Gelsey Lozano

Captain at Wonderful Aviation

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Won Aviation Stacked Lg 300x92

Hannah Sanchez

First Officer at PSA Airlines

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

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Isabella Frausto

Mechanic at REACH Air Medical Services

Associate of Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology

Jack Branger

Pilot at Goodyear Blimp

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Jacob Harkin

Pilot at International Charter Operation

Master of Aviation Science

Jayden Castro

Captain at Apollo MedFlight

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Jesus Gallegos Zarate

Captain at GoJet Airlines

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

John Griffiths

Captain at Avelo Airlines

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Luis Reynoso

First Officer at Delta Air Lines

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Mannat Toor

Captain at SkyWest Airlines

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics
Master of Aviation Science

Matthew Eiss

Captain at SkyWest Airlines

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Matthew Waldman

First Officer at SkyWest Airlines

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Miguel Diaz

First Officer at Delta Air Lines

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Nathan Johnston

First Officer at SkyWest Airlines

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Nicholas Costigan

First Officer at NetJets Aviation

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Noah Nadi

President of Aircraft Sales at Aspen Aero Group

Bachelor of Science in Aviation Business Administration

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Richard Precop

Assistant Director of Flight Instruction at CAU

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Robert Rudzitis Jr.

First Officer at Air Transport International, Inc. (ATI)

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Sara Tremmel

First Officer at Delta Air Lines

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Wilfredo Hernandez

First Officer at United Airlines

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics

Latest Alumni Success Stories

Smiling uniformed pilot standing on tarmac in front of a United Express regional jet with engines and fuselage visible

First Generation Student to Captain: How one CAU Alumni is Inspiring the Next Generation of Aviators

June 3, 2026 June 5, 2026 Taylor Griffin Alumni

At six years old, Jesus Gallegos had the opportunity to sit in the captain’s seat of a Boeing 737 while...Continue reading→

Woman smiling in front of a small single-engine airplane parked on a sunlit tarmac, close-up selfie showing propeller and nose gear.

How One CAU Graduate Found Her Dream Career in Corporate Aviation

December 15, 2025 December 30, 2025 Monica Raymond Alumni

As students at California Aeronautical University (CAU) consider their career options, one graduate returned to campus to share her perspective on an...Continue reading→

Man in a suit and sunglasses standing beside a large blue-and-yellow Goodyear sign with a Goodyear blimp parked on grass behind.

Behind the Blimp: How a CAU Graduate Became a Goodyear Pilot

July 20, 2025 July 25, 2025 Monica Raymond Alumni

As aviation enthusiasts from around the world gather in Oshkosh for EAA AirVenture, one of the most iconic aircraft in...Continue reading→

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Whether you're just starting to explore aviation or you're ready to begin your journey at California Aeronautical University, we have a path for you. Select the option that best fits where you are in your decision process:

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Visit a CAU campus, tour facilities, and see what student life looks like firsthand. Open Houses are scheduled on Saturdays at each of our four locations, every other month.

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This free, student‑friendly guide outlines what it takes to go from your first discovery flight to launching a career in aviation. If you’re exploring the path to becoming a pilot and want a clear overview before taking next steps, this is a great place to begin..

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