Biloxi, Miss. — The Biloxi aviation community and Taylor Dickey’s family are mourning the loss of a remarkable young woman whose life was tragically cut short. Taylor Dickey, 30, a professional pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) at Apollo Flight Training, passed away on Monday, November 25, 2025, when the Cessna Skyhawk she was aboard plunged into Lake Pontchartrain.

Taylor had devoted her life and career to teaching and mentoring aspiring pilots. Since June 2024, she worked as a contract flight instructor with Apollo Flight Training and Aircraft Management, based at the Million Air terminal at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. Her guidance, expertise, and encouragement left a lasting impression on every student she taught.

On the day of the tragedy, Taylor and a young student, a Navy Seabee, departed from Gulfport at 5:43 p.m., heading toward Lakefront Airport in New Orleans. About four miles north of the airport, air traffic control lost contact with their Cessna. Despite an extensive search involving the U.S. Coast Guard and multiple agencies, the search was suspended on Wednesday afternoon. Both Taylor and her student did not survive, and the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

Taylor’s influence extended far beyond the cockpit. She was a mentor and role model, especially for women in aviation. She served as a founding member and chapter president of the Bayou Beacons Chapter of Women in Aviation International, organized Girls in Aviation Day at Trent Lott Airport, and volunteered with programs like Let’s Fly Now!, providing free flights to young women and girls exploring aviation careers.

“She loved Jesus, and she loved people,” said her friend and fellow pilot Alice Furr. “Taylor was passionate, dedicated, and always willing to go the extra mile for her students and everyone in aviation. She made an impact on countless lives.”

Taylor’s family—her parents Randy and Peggy Dickey, her brother Connor Dickey, and sister-in-law Bailey Dickey—are heartbroken, as are thousands of friends and colleagues who knew her. “It feels like our hearts are being ripped out,” Furr said, echoing the grief shared across the aviation community.

Born and raised in North Carolina, Taylor studied Hospitality Management at East Carolina University and attended ATP Flight School to pursue her passion for aviation. She relocated to Biloxi, Mississippi, to work with Apollo Flight Training, where she became a cherished member of the local aviation community.

Taylor’s love of flying was matched by her love for her students. She frequently guided them on airport tours, introduced them to air traffic control operations, and volunteered countless hours to help others learn the craft she loved. Her mentorship inspired many, particularly young women pursuing careers in aviation.

Mark Carastro, owner of Apollo Flight Training, described Taylor and her family as “very special people” and expressed deep sorrow over her loss. “To have such a bright future gone is absolutely devastating to everyone in the Apollo family and to her family,” Carastro said.

Her parents shared their faith and comfort in knowing Taylor trusted Jesus, which brings them hope despite the profound grief they feel. “We know that God is good, even when we have to walk through the valley,” her father, Randy Dickey, said. “Taylor loved flying, and she loved seeing God’s beauty over the ocean and bays. Best of all, knowing she trusted Jesus brings us great peace and hope, and we will see her again.”

Taylor Dickey’s legacy is one of passion, mentorship, faith, and love for others. She will be remembered not only for her remarkable skills as a pilot but for the lives she touched through her guidance, friendship, and generosity. Her memory lives on in her family, her students, and the countless friends whose lives were brighter because of her presence.