Nathalia Filgueiras' ex-instructor calls her 'natural-born pilot' in tribute after Florida crash
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA: Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras' former flight instructor has paid tribute to the young co-pilot killed in the November 1 Learjet crash, remembering her as an exceptionally talented pilot with a genuine passion for aviation.
Chris Kirk, one of her first instructors and mentors, said she was the most naturally gifted student he had taught in his 40-year career. He also recalled how she impressed examiners and earned her Learjet qualification with fewer than 1,100 flight hours.
🚨Nathalia Gadelha's first instructor and mentor has posted a statement. I write these words unequivocally… I was one of Nathalia’s first instructors and mentor. She was without a doubt the most naturally gifted pilot I have ever taught, and I have been teaching for 40 years!! That young lady was born to fly! There was not a check ride that the examiner was not blown away! When she did her Lear type rating, she had less than 1100 hours and she absolutely aced the PIC type rating and the examiner thought she had about 5000 hours! I gave her numerous opportunities to fly different airplanes to include tailwheel and the Caravan. When I gave her her Spin Endorsement for her CFI, we did so many spins that I started to become nauseous! Truth!! I am saddened, because so many of the pilots in training today never wanted to become pilots and only want to become airline pilots! As I did check rides, I saw this time and time again! They had no passion for flying. They only wanted to get to the airlines to make the big money… Nathalia was PASSIONATE about flying!!! She was a 💯% natural born pilot!!! I pray that she continues to fly amongst the clouds in heaven. May she rest in peace and God watch over her. ❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏 📸Chris Kirk #Aviation #Pilot #NathaliaGadelha #AviationCommunity #FlyHigh #InMemoriam
— Amy Leigh (@IAmyLeigh) November 4, 2026
Nathalia Filgueiras impressed examiners with flying skills
Kirk took to social media to defend Nathalia's flying abilities, saying she was not simply pursuing aviation for an airline career.
"I've been teaching for 40 years, and she was without a doubt the most naturally gifted pilot I have ever taught," he said.
He added that she routinely impressed examiners during her check rides, saying, "That young lady was born to fly!"
Kirk also recalled that Nathalia aced her pilot-in-command certification, with the examiner believing she had closer to 5,000 flight hours.
Former instructor recalls Nathalia's passion for aviation
Kirk said he gave Nathalia opportunities to fly different aircraft, including tailwheel planes and the Caravan.
He believed her genuine passion for flying set her apart from other trainees who were more interested in securing airline jobs and making money than enjoying the profession.
Nathalia Filgueiras was killed in Florida Learjet crash
Nathalia was co-pilot aboard a Learjet 60 travelling from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas when it crashed in Palm Beach County on November 1. All nine people aboard died, including captain Jeff Gregory and members of tech CEO Adam Robinson's family.
Shortly before the crash, Nathalia reportedly texted her pilot boyfriend, warning him about the conditions.
The co-pilot of the Learjet that crashed into the ground in Florida has been identified as 20-year-old Nathalia Filgueiras, texted her boyfriend just 10 minutes before the crash. Filgueiras' mother said she "always knew" a plane would "take her away from me." The pilot was flying to the Bahamas when the plane plummeted 20,000 feet per minute into the ground. "I wanted her to live her dream, but I knew that her dream was going to be the thing that would take her away from me," her mother told the New York Post. "I knew that a plane was gonna take her away from me. I always knew it, but I was so proud of her. I know she was living her dream." Just 10 minutes before the crash, Filgueiras reportedly texted her boyfriend: "I’ve got turbulence, I’ve got ice." The female pilot got her pilot license in high school. Her stepfather says she had 1,300 hours of experience. In a social media post, Filgueiras boasted about how young she was as a pilot with her boyfriend. "How often do you see 2 pilots under 21 with a commercial, multi-engine, instrument, CFI/CFI-I," she said. 8 other people were on board the jet when it crashed. They have yet to be identified.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 2, 2026
Her stepfather, Thiago Corleti, said her message read: "I've got turbulence, I've got ice."
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash, examining reports of turbulence and icing, along with aircraft parts that reportedly separated before impact.
