One of my earliest memories is sitting behind my dad in his airplane, pressing my face to the window, watching the big buildings shrink to look like Lego sets. I remember thinking: I want to fly a plane one day.
The memories of flying with my dad — a fixed wing and helicopter pilot who repaired power lines — stayed with me for years of raising three wonderful children and working in sales. It wasn’t until my early 40s that I completed my private pilot license, the first step in my pilot career. I’m currently completing my instrument rating while working toward my commercial certificate, both needed to achieve my long-term goal of building a career in corporate aviation.
My story matters now because women don’t need to wait until mid-life to become pilots. If the calling comes in childhood, follow it. Girls in Aviation Day returns to Boise on Sept. 19, and I want as many people as possible, especially girls who may assume a cockpit isn’t for them, to see what’s possible…