Pilot, Flight Instructor, Aircraft Owner
I've been flying for more than 32 years! Every flight is as exciting as my
first one. I'm retired from banking and now am able to devote time to
flying children, mentoring student pilots, educating kids about aviation
careers, and volunteering at an aviation museum. I fly my Piper Cherokee
at least once a week.
When I was a teenager I became interested in flying, but decided it was
too outlandish and too expensive for me! Then 15 years later my
boyfriend invited me to go flying with him and encouraged me to get my
license. I did and wow, what a change my life took! I've met some
fabulous people, discovered talents I never knew I had and have been able
to travel to many places because I'm a pilot and own my own airplane.
Encouragement from my boyfriend (at the time) and friends at work who
were pilots gave me the courage to pursue my license. After I got my
license, the 99s (Organization of Women Pilots) showed me what
additional steps I could take as a pilot, offering many role models and
mentoring. I obtained my instrument rating, commercial license and flight
instructor certificate. The 99s awarded me with the Amelia Earhart
Scholarship, which I used for my instructor training. I met my husband at
the airport and he supported me completely. I learned that I could do
whatever I wanted in aviation. I belong to the EAA (Experimental Aircraft
Assn.) and fly children in their Young Eagle program. I also belong to the
Commemorative Air Force (CAF) and volunteer in their aviation museum.
Most other members are men, but they have always been supportive of
my flying and often show how proud they are of my accomplishments.
I've never felt put down because I was a woman pilot. I've been a mentor
for the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Assn. (AOPA) Project Pilot program and
have mentored 5 students who eventually got their pilots licenses.
I learned to fly at Whiteman Airport in the Los Angeles area. I've flown
mainly small aircraft (e.g. Cessna 150 & 172, Cherokee 140 & 180,
Grumman Tiger), but have had the luck to fly some old military airplanes
(e.g., C-46, T-6, B-25) because I'm a member of the CAF. I've flown my
airplane all over the western U.S., to Alaska, and to Oshkosh, WI. Every
summer I take several trips in my airplane to visit friends and relatives in
California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico and Colorado.
Flying has mainly been a hobby and I use it for personal pleasure and
business, as well as to do volunteer work. I worked in banking for 20
years, which enabled me to fund my training and purchase an airplane.
When I was working I flew every weekend. Now that I'm retired, I fly
whenever I want and have lots more flexibility. Most of my free time is
spent in aviation-related activities. I'm especially interested in encouraging
kids to consider aviation as a career or hobby. Besides flying Young
Eagles, I go to career days, help with Girl Scout aviation badge programs,
fly disabled kids with Challenge Air, and am an advisor for Aviation
Explorers. I mentor student pilots & pilots who want to expand their
aviation careers and have helped several men and women get aviation
scholarships to help them towards their goals.
I met my husband at the airport. He's a mechanic, not a pilot, but people
usually go up to him and ask him about our airplane, assuming he's the
pilot. They're amazed that I'm the pilot!
What activities do you suggest for young children or young adults to
prepare them for a career like yours? Children and young adults should
make a point to go up in a small airplane, such as take a Young Eagles
flight. Ask at your local airport about these flights sponsored by the
Experimental Aircraft Assn. (EAA). Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts should get
their aviation and aerospace badges. Get involved with model airplanes
and clubs, attend an aviation camp at a local airport or go to the EAA Air
Academy at Oshkosh, WI or Flabob Airport (near Riverside, CA). Surf the
web for information about flying and airplanes. NASA, Aircraft Owners &
Pilots Assn (AOPA), EAA, FAA, and other websites have many activities for
kids.
I've been flying for more than 32 years! Every flight is as exciting as my
first one. I'm retired from banking and now am able to devote time to
flying children, mentoring student pilots, educating kids about aviation
careers, and volunteering at an aviation museum. I fly my Piper Cherokee
at least once a week.
When I was a teenager I became interested in flying, but decided it was
too outlandish and too expensive for me! Then 15 years later my
boyfriend invited me to go flying with him and encouraged me to get my
license. I did and wow, what a change my life took! I've met some
fabulous people, discovered talents I never knew I had and have been able
to travel to many places because I'm a pilot and own my own airplane.
Encouragement from my boyfriend (at the time) and friends at work who
were pilots gave me the courage to pursue my license. After I got my
license, the 99s (Organization of Women Pilots) showed me what
additional steps I could take as a pilot, offering many role models and
mentoring. I obtained my instrument rating, commercial license and flight
instructor certificate. The 99s awarded me with the Amelia Earhart
Scholarship, which I used for my instructor training. I met my husband at
the airport and he supported me completely. I learned that I could do
whatever I wanted in aviation. I belong to the EAA (Experimental Aircraft
Assn.) and fly children in their Young Eagle program. I also belong to the
Commemorative Air Force (CAF) and volunteer in their aviation museum.
Most other members are men, but they have always been supportive of
my flying and often show how proud they are of my accomplishments.
I've never felt put down because I was a woman pilot. I've been a mentor
for the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Assn. (AOPA) Project Pilot program and
have mentored 5 students who eventually got their pilots licenses.
I learned to fly at Whiteman Airport in the Los Angeles area. I've flown
mainly small aircraft (e.g. Cessna 150 & 172, Cherokee 140 & 180,
Grumman Tiger), but have had the luck to fly some old military airplanes
(e.g., C-46, T-6, B-25) because I'm a member of the CAF. I've flown my
airplane all over the western U.S., to Alaska, and to Oshkosh, WI. Every
summer I take several trips in my airplane to visit friends and relatives in
California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico and Colorado.
Flying has mainly been a hobby and I use it for personal pleasure and
business, as well as to do volunteer work. I worked in banking for 20
years, which enabled me to fund my training and purchase an airplane.
When I was working I flew every weekend. Now that I'm retired, I fly
whenever I want and have lots more flexibility. Most of my free time is
spent in aviation-related activities. I'm especially interested in encouraging
kids to consider aviation as a career or hobby. Besides flying Young
Eagles, I go to career days, help with Girl Scout aviation badge programs,
fly disabled kids with Challenge Air, and am an advisor for Aviation
Explorers. I mentor student pilots & pilots who want to expand their
aviation careers and have helped several men and women get aviation
scholarships to help them towards their goals.
I met my husband at the airport. He's a mechanic, not a pilot, but people
usually go up to him and ask him about our airplane, assuming he's the
pilot. They're amazed that I'm the pilot!
What activities do you suggest for young children or young adults to
prepare them for a career like yours? Children and young adults should
make a point to go up in a small airplane, such as take a Young Eagles
flight. Ask at your local airport about these flights sponsored by the
Experimental Aircraft Assn. (EAA). Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts should get
their aviation and aerospace badges. Get involved with model airplanes
and clubs, attend an aviation camp at a local airport or go to the EAA Air
Academy at Oshkosh, WI or Flabob Airport (near Riverside, CA). Surf the
web for information about flying and airplanes. NASA, Aircraft Owners &
Pilots Assn (AOPA), EAA, FAA, and other websites have many activities for
kids.
| Ceci flying the C46 |
 |
| Ceci at Cherokee with Girl Scouts |
| Ceci with Young Eagles |
| 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