Aviator siblings take flight as pilot, co-pilot

Caitlyn and Bailey James. (Photo provided: CommuteAir)

WLFI’s Ella Chew recently reported on Bailey and Caitlyn James, both Purdue Polytechnic graduates and now pilots for CommuteAir, who recently had a novel adventure in aviation—flying together as a brother-sister duo.

Bailey, who graduated in 2019, was the first to pursue aviation. His enthusiasm inspired Caitlyn, who graduated in 2023, to follow in his footsteps. Bailey even had the chance to train Caitlyn early in her journey, signing her off for her private pilot exam before she enrolled at Purdue.

Their first flight together in 2024 marked a full-circle moment in their careers, underscoring their strong bond and mutual respect as professionals. Over the holidays, they shared an emotional milestone by flying their parents, offering their family a unique glimpse into their achievements.

"I like flying with everyone. Its just weird flying with my sister because I already had such great rapport with her,” Bailey said. “The last time I flew with her was probably 2020 and then flying this year with her, now that she's pretty much gone through the ringer at this point and she's her own professional. It was kind of shocking to see how far she's come, she can just do all of this stuff pretty much by herself now. She doesn't really need me.”

Caitlyn reflected on her own support system: “I just want people to be inspired that you can become a pilot. It’s not impossible. You just need the right support system, whether that be a brother or little sister, it’s a dream come true.”

Read or watch the full story from WLFI here.

 

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