Pilot, Hair Stylist, and General Aviation Airplane Mechanic Assistant
I live at the airport in Sanford, Florida. I can watch planes take off and land
from my deck; they fly directly over top of my house! I have two grown girls
and one little Chihuahua, Tiny. Tiny doesn't like to fly, but the girls do!
As a young girl, I grew up outside of a Naval Air Station in Massachusetts. I
loved to watch the jets fly in and loved the engine sounds. I would go to the
airshows and wanted to meet the pilots. I also would beg my Dad to take
me to Logan Airport to watch the commercial airliners taxi.
I was discouraged from pursuing a career as a pilot. I was told girls did not
do that. So I didn't think about it much. After my girls were grown and on
their own, I met a friend with a Cherokee 6. He offered to take me for a ride
and once in the sky gave the yoke to me. I was flying!!! It made my heart
sing! He arranged for me to get a medical certificate for my birthday and I
started taking flight lessons shortly there after. It has been the best thing
that I have ever done.
Once I stopped believing that girls could not be pilots I became one. I have
met wonderful people in the general aviation community that rooted me on,
helped me study, flew with me to practice maneuvers. I don't discourage
anyone from fulfilling their dreams. You never know what you can accomplish
unless you try! I learned how magnificent it is to be in the air. I also enjoy
learning how to maintain the aircraft. I don't let the guys in the hangar 'help'
me do things. I like to be hands on and do not mind being dirty or maybe
"breaking a nail".
I am now a Private Pilot. I am currently taking more instruction to get my
Instrument Rating. I owned a Cessna 150M until fall of 2006. I sold it when
I decided to enlist in the Army. Unfortunately, I did not meet the physical
requirements and could not join.
I now share a Cessna 152 II with a friend. I like to fly about 6 hours a week.
I would fly more if not for having to go to work!!
I work full time as a Hair Stylist and fly a hobby. I love being at the airport,
looking into others people’s planes. I would like to transition into an aviation
related field. I will continue to accumulate ratings to become a commercial
pilot, in my free time.
I have a picture of my plane on my station at work in the salon. People
always ask me it the plane belongs to my husband/boyfriend. I say no, I am
the pilot. Sometimes they just cannot believe it! One woman argued with
me, saying that I could not possibly own an airplane, that I must be lying! I
find people's perceptions funny, old fashioned still-thinking that girls can't fly!
Q What role do skills in Math, Science, Engineering and
Technology play in supporting your job?
I went to college to become an accountant. When I took the placement
exams, I was told that I was good in Math. No one suggested being a pilot.
Math plays a large role in piloting. Calculating fuel burn, descent rates,
mileage, weather, etc. Numbers are fun!
I live at the airport in Sanford, Florida. I can watch planes take off and land
from my deck; they fly directly over top of my house! I have two grown girls
and one little Chihuahua, Tiny. Tiny doesn't like to fly, but the girls do!
As a young girl, I grew up outside of a Naval Air Station in Massachusetts. I
loved to watch the jets fly in and loved the engine sounds. I would go to the
airshows and wanted to meet the pilots. I also would beg my Dad to take
me to Logan Airport to watch the commercial airliners taxi.
I was discouraged from pursuing a career as a pilot. I was told girls did not
do that. So I didn't think about it much. After my girls were grown and on
their own, I met a friend with a Cherokee 6. He offered to take me for a ride
and once in the sky gave the yoke to me. I was flying!!! It made my heart
sing! He arranged for me to get a medical certificate for my birthday and I
started taking flight lessons shortly there after. It has been the best thing
that I have ever done.
Once I stopped believing that girls could not be pilots I became one. I have
met wonderful people in the general aviation community that rooted me on,
helped me study, flew with me to practice maneuvers. I don't discourage
anyone from fulfilling their dreams. You never know what you can accomplish
unless you try! I learned how magnificent it is to be in the air. I also enjoy
learning how to maintain the aircraft. I don't let the guys in the hangar 'help'
me do things. I like to be hands on and do not mind being dirty or maybe
"breaking a nail".
I am now a Private Pilot. I am currently taking more instruction to get my
Instrument Rating. I owned a Cessna 150M until fall of 2006. I sold it when
I decided to enlist in the Army. Unfortunately, I did not meet the physical
requirements and could not join.
I now share a Cessna 152 II with a friend. I like to fly about 6 hours a week.
I would fly more if not for having to go to work!!
I work full time as a Hair Stylist and fly a hobby. I love being at the airport,
looking into others people’s planes. I would like to transition into an aviation
related field. I will continue to accumulate ratings to become a commercial
pilot, in my free time.
I have a picture of my plane on my station at work in the salon. People
always ask me it the plane belongs to my husband/boyfriend. I say no, I am
the pilot. Sometimes they just cannot believe it! One woman argued with
me, saying that I could not possibly own an airplane, that I must be lying! I
find people's perceptions funny, old fashioned still-thinking that girls can't fly!
Q What role do skills in Math, Science, Engineering and
Technology play in supporting your job?
I went to college to become an accountant. When I took the placement
exams, I was told that I was good in Math. No one suggested being a pilot.
Math plays a large role in piloting. Calculating fuel burn, descent rates,
mileage, weather, etc. Numbers are fun!
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| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
TM
