For First Officer Marissa Basi, life is split between two very different worlds: the flight deck and the pageant stage. As a pilot for Envoy Air and a contestant on the road to Miss Florida USA, Marissa is proving that passion, confidence, and leadership can take many forms.
Today, Marissa shares a look inside her “double life” as an Envoy pilot and pageant contestant, as well as what keeps her inspired and motivated.
Origin story
Marissa’s love for aviation began in childhood after watching her father fulfill his dream of becoming a private pilot. Some of her favorite memories were flying alongside him in his Piper Saratoga to soccer tournaments and family vacations. By age 15, she logged her first flight hour and never looked back.
Marissa completed her flight training at ATP Flight School in Tampa, Florida in just seven months before becoming a flight instructor and joining the Envoy Cadet Program. Less than two years after starting flight school, she began training with Envoy.
“I chose Envoy because it felt like a place where I could truly grow, both professionally and personally,” Marissa says. “My favorite part of the job is safely delivering people to the moments, opportunities, and loved ones that matter most.”
A star is born
Surprisingly, pageantry entered her life through aviation. While attending the 2025 Women in Aviation International (WAI) conference, she met a former Miss New Jersey Teen USA contestant who inspired her to compete.
“Pageants are about inspiring the next generation to believe they can pursue careers and dreams that may not always feel traditional or attainable,” Marissa explains.
She says competing has strengthened her confidence, communication skills and ability to connect with people — all qualities that help her as a pilot working in a skilled professional field.
Giving back
Outside of flying and pageantry, Marissa is passionate about mentorship. She created Cleared for Takeoff Florida, a youth workshop encouraging students to dream big. She also coaches youth soccer, drawing from her experience as a former Division I athlete.
One of her favorite moments during her Miss Florida USA journey came when she returned to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), the airport where she completed flight training, to welcome home veterans participating an Honor Flight.
“It reminded me that aviation isn’t just about flying from one place to another — it’s about bringing people together,” Marissa says.
Her advice to aspiring aviators is simple: “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.”
Aviation is an industry that constantly places people in new environments, presents unexpected challenges and demands continuous learning. According to Marissa, the moments when you question yourself are often the same moments that drive the greatest growth.
“Stay consistent, keep learning, ask questions and don’t be afraid to take opportunities that challenge you,” Marissa says. “Most importantly, remember that aviation is about more than just flying airplanes – It’s about people and leadership.”
For Marissa, success isn’t measured solely by flight hours or certifications, but by a commitment to growth, service, and leading others with purpose. Those principles continue to guide her career, both on the pageant stage and in the flight deck.