Aviation for Women is the flagship member publication of Women in Aviation International. Articles feature women who have made aviation history, professional development ideas, and current-topic articles.
Issue link: https://afwdigital.epubxp.com/i/813603
38 Aviation forWomen M A Y / J U N E 2 0 1 7 My first flight was in a Redbird simulator with full visual. Wow, primary training sims have come a long way! While the flight was great, I discovered, much to my dismay, this time around I would need glasses. Enjoying 20/20 vision all my life, I had never flown with glasses. However, a few years ago I needed readers, but they proved clumsy in the simulator. Be- fore I scheduled my flight in the airplane, I scheduled a full eye exam to get corrective lenses. A couple weeks later, with glass- es in hand, I headed back to the airport for my flight review. B A C K I N T H E S K Y A F T E R 1 1 Y E A R S O N T H E G R O U N D My first flight took place on November 11, 2016. It had been even longer since I'd flown a small Cessna. I was excited and a bit anxious. So much had changed both in the industry and me. Driving to the airport, I wondered if flying would come back like riding a bike. To ease my nerves, I approached it as a fun, casual training lesson, not a checkride. I met my instruc- tor Jordan, and she pulled out all the old tools of the trade: charts, nav log, plotter, E6B. I was spoiled after so many years flying with an FMS. We planned a cross-country and calculat- ed the weight and balance. Jordan showed me her iPad load- ed with charts and weather apps introducing me to the latest electronic methods for flight planning. In 2005, my flight department was a first adopter of the elec- tronic flight bag (EFB) for approach plates. Back then, that was a big deal. Today the iPad and the advances in technology have completely changed operations. While you can't argue the streamlined benefits, it's still important to understand the basics and be able to plan and fly without electronic devices. Wit h our ground session complete, I did a pref light, climbed into the cockpit, and checked the ATIS. Talking to air traffic control after a long break is one area where rusty pilots struggle, so I jumped right in and tackled radio com- munications. Once cleared for takeoff, I entered the runway. Full throttle and…wait for it…airspeed alive…wait for it…55 knots, rotate! I lifted the nose to the horizon, and we were fly- ing. After flying corporate jets for 20 years, it can be unnerv- ing to return to a small training aircraft. You get comfortable having a lot more power and traveling at higher speeds with sophisticated equipment. However, this flight took me back to my CFI days, and it was great. I wondered if I'd be as comfort- able returning to the jet. We climbed to 4,500 MSL and headed west. The sun was setting, and I realized the challenge of flying with glass- es for the very first time. I definitely needed them to read the checklist clipped to my yoke. The instrument panel was crisper, but the progressive lenses distorted my distance vi- sion. The setting sun, smog, and crazed windshield didn't help. We entered the pattern at Lake City and did several touch-and-goes, followed by air work. I kept reaching for the aileron trim only to remember the Cessna 172 doesn't have aileron trim. While I love a glass cockpit, flying the old steam gauges again gave me a sense of pride and nostalgia. I felt like I was visiting an old friend. My first flight was more than a flight review, it was a per- sonal test, and I passed. Soaring in the sky again challenged me and ignited a passion and determination to once again tackle the training. It showed me that even though I'd tak- en a lengthy break, I could do it again. More importantly, it proved I wanted to do it again, and this time do it even better! Next step, prepare for recurrent training at SIMCOM Aviation Training in Orlando, Florida. H O N O R I N G T H E S E A S O N S O F L I F E There are seasons in life. Each is unique bringing benefits that should be enjoyed and cherished. Single, married, parenting, grandparenting, school, work—the list is endless. It can be difficult to balance sever- al seasons at the same time. When I was a young pilot in training, I remember the topic came up about flying and having a family. At the time, I thought I could easily juggle both. I grew up at the height of the women's liberation movement and Wonder Woman. Good or bad, I remember thinking I could do it all. When my first child was born, I still had big dreams for my flying career, which pushed me skyward. It was a challenge jug- gling the needs of family and demands of the job, but I managed. When my second child came my heart pulled me home. I can't speak for fathers but balancing motherhood and a flying career is a chal- The Rise of the Female Professional Pilot During a recent presentation at FordHarrison's Airline Labor & Employment Law symposium in Dallas, WAI President Peggy Chabrian highlighted that while the percentage of ATP female pilots is relatively small at about 4.2 per- cent, the numbers continue to increase every year. In 2015, a total of 13,141 women held commercial and air transport pilot certificates, up from 7,290 in 1990, for a total of 10.7 percent, compared with all similarly certificated pilots. The number of female flight instructors in 2015 reached 6,669, as compared with only 3,239 female CFIs in 1990. While pilots will never have a Monday- Friday, 9-5 work day, statistics show companies that promote a healthy work/ life balance have happier employees who stay on board much longer. Today, many initiatives are underway to inspire young females to pursue careers in aviation; however, there are still issues related to family leave practices and return to flight after childbirth concerns continue to be addressed. It's one thing to inspire females to fill flight decks; it's another to inspire the industry to provide sustainable careers.