From Reluctant Passenger to Aviation Entrepreneurship Success: Claire Maher’s Sky-High Journey
By Shawn Staerker
Ever been dragged somewhere you didn’t want to go, only to have it completely change your life? That’s exactly what happened to Claire Maher, owner of FlyGirl Aircraft Detailing and a rising star in the world of aviation entrepreneurship.
That First Flight Magic
Imagine being 14 years old, getting dragged to a car show on a Saturday (eye roll, right?). That’s where Claire found herself when her dad took her to an event hosted by their local Experimental Aircraft Association.
When the Young Eagles program offered free flights, Claire thought, “Well, at least it’s better than looking at cars!” Little did she know this reluctant decision would set her life on an entirely new course.
“I had my brother and sister in the back seat and I went up with the pilot,” Claire recalls. “We flew over my house and my hometown, and then he goes, ‘you’re flying the plane’ and let go of the yoke.”
That moment in the air changed everything. Claire decided right then and there that aviation was her future. If you’re wondering whether flying might be for you, Claire’s advice is simple: “Try it. If it’s for you, you’ll know within the first few flights. Absolutely.”
Small Town, Big Dreams
Growing up in Mariposa, a small town near Yosemite in Northern California, didn’t make pursuing aviation easy. With just one runway and one flight school, opportunities were limited. But Claire found her way thanks to the dedication of people like Tony Borreson, the airport manager who let her work there to help fund her training.
Claire’s approach to life is all about committing 100%. When she sets her mind to something, she goes all in. At just seven years old, she decided she wanted to finish high school in two years—and did exactly that, even completing her college general education requirements at the same time!
This same “full throttle” attitude came into play when she moved across the country at 18. Frustrated with slow progress in her flight training due to weather and financial constraints, Claire put in her two weeks’ notice at work, had roommates take over her lease, and drove to Florida with minimal planning.
Taking the Aviation Entrepreneurship Leap
Claire’s aviation journey was moving too slowly for her liking. Working three jobs, she could only afford about three flight lessons per month. At that rate, she calculated she’d become a professional pilot “maybe when I’m 35.”
When a mentor mentioned making $900 detailing an airplane, Claire immediately thought, “That’s three flights right there!” She did some market research, discovered Southwest Florida was underserved in aircraft detailing, and decided to take the plunge.
“I took out a loan and started the company. I think that day I filed my LLC,” she explains. Even if the business failed, she figured, “I’ll at least meet some people with airplanes, maybe make some connections.”
What Makes FlyGirl Special
Two key things set FlyGirl Aircraft Detailing apart from competitors. First, Claire is a pilot herself, giving her crucial insight into aircraft care that car detailers lack.
“There are a lot of things about airplanes that are different than cars,” she points out. “You don’t want to get ceramic coating in a static port because you didn’t know to cover it. You can’t wet wash on a lot of airports.”
The second unique aspect? FlyGirl employs flight students. This provides income for aspiring pilots while giving them exposure to aircraft, industry connections, and valuable experience—a perfect full-circle moment reflecting Claire’s own journey and embodying her approach to aviation entrepreneurship.
Growing a Business While Growing Wings
As FlyGirl approaches its two-year anniversary, Claire has carefully expanded her services. The first year focused on mastering the basics of interior and exterior detailing. Year two brought specialized offerings like ceramic coatings, which required significant training and research.
Future plans include restoring windscreens and windows (another specialized service requiring intense precision) and professional aircraft photography for owners looking to sell or simply showcase their pride and joy.
Meanwhile, Claire balances her business with a full-time position as Director of Administration at FlyBright Pilot Academy, where she handles marketing, HR, bookkeeping, and more. As a founding team member who helped paint the office, she takes immense pride in watching the school grow.
Lessons from the Cockpit and the Boardroom
Every entrepreneur faces challenges, and Claire is no exception. One of her biggest lessons has been learning to manage growth without sacrificing quality.
“Every new stage of business is a stage I’ve never seen before,” she admits. “The challenges I have with my company are expanding too fast and then sometimes struggling to upkeep quality of work.”
This experience parallels her aviation journey, where progress hasn’t always been as swift as she’d like. Working at an accelerated flight school, she watches other students zoom through their ratings while she’s still working on her instrument rating after six years in aviation.
Her philosophy? “The biggest lesson I’ve learned is you can’t get discouraged by the current failures and have that make you quit. It’s better to be 1% better than not working at it at all.”
Future Flight Path
Claire’s ambitions are sky-high. She hopes to expand FlyGirl throughout Florida and eventually the eastern United States, while helping FlyBright Pilot Academy grow to multiple locations as an industry leader in quality flight training.
For herself, she wants to continue developing her business acumen while earning her flight instructor certificate. Her dream job would combine both worlds—flying while remaining deeply involved in aviation business.
Advice for Aviation Entrepreneurship Aspirants
For young people interested in pursuing aviation entrepreneurship, Claire emphasizes the importance of connections:
“Get involved in as many groups as you can and meet as many people as you can. There are so many groups out there that offer scholarships and advice. Walk into an FBO and introduce yourself to everyone. If you want to work in aviation business, just message the person whose job you want and ask them for an interview. The worst they can do is say no.”
Want to hear more of Claire’s inspiring story? Check out her interview on The Future in Flight Podcast Episode 6 , available here— Detailing Aviation Entrepreneurship w/Claire Maher
Follow FlyGirl Aircraft Detailing on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or visit www.flygirlaircraftdetailing.com to learn more about their services across 6Florida.
