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| Encouraging more women and girls to have an interest in aviation... |
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Sarah:
I knew I was destined to be a pilot at age eleven when my older sister generously gave up
her turn at the yoke on our return trip to Birchwood from Talkeetna in the southcentral region
of Alaska. My grandpa, the pilot in command of the Cessna 172, informed me as soon as we
rolled onto the runway “Push the throttle in full, and when the speed hits sixty all you need is
a little back pressure on the yoke and she’ll fly; then climb to 2,500 feet and follow the river.”
Three years later I joined the Civil Air Patrol because of my interest in flying and received my
first orientation flight on March 4, 2006. In the month of July, while helping my grandpa with
the annual on his Cessna 310, I informed him that my dream is to become an airline pilot. He
answered, “Well, why don’t I teach you? You work for the gas and I’ll give you the lessons no
charge”. My first day of lessons at age fourteen was on July 26, 2006, and I have been
working toward my private pilot’s certificate ever since. I could hardly wait for August 26, 2007,
when I would turn sixteen and solo.
My grandpa bought a Morrissey-Shinn, a tiny, low wing, tandem, and stick airplane, and invited
me to accompany him and fly it to Alaska from Stockton, California. The trip lasted one day less
than two weeks, and was the greatest experience so far in my aviation journey. Finally the
day I had been anticipating arrived. On my sixteenth birthday, under beautiful Alaskan blue
skies I soloed in three different aircraft: a Cessna 172, Morrissey-Shinn, and an Aeronca
Champ.
I am now directing my attention toward getting my private pilot’s certificate and plan to soon
thereafter get my instrument rating, float rating, and CFI rating prior to attending college. After
college I want to work toward becoming a cargo airline pilot and hope to inspire other women
pilots to pursue their knowledge of aviation.
Recently joining the 99’s, I have enjoyed camaraderie with more experienced women pilots.
They have provided me with wonderful examples of how to inspire other women pilots. My
participation in Civil Air Patrol also has afforded me the opportunity to meet accomplished
women aviators. One such talented encourager is Mary Feik, a mechanic for the military during
World War II, who is now active in the Civil Air Patrol all around the country.
I am incredibly grateful that my grandpa took such an immense interest in my desires to
become a pilot. All of my initial passion for flying I owe to him and hope I will some day become
an influence on young women interested in an aviation career.
I knew I was destined to be a pilot at age eleven when my older sister generously gave up
her turn at the yoke on our return trip to Birchwood from Talkeetna in the southcentral region
of Alaska. My grandpa, the pilot in command of the Cessna 172, informed me as soon as we
rolled onto the runway “Push the throttle in full, and when the speed hits sixty all you need is
a little back pressure on the yoke and she’ll fly; then climb to 2,500 feet and follow the river.”
Three years later I joined the Civil Air Patrol because of my interest in flying and received my
first orientation flight on March 4, 2006. In the month of July, while helping my grandpa with
the annual on his Cessna 310, I informed him that my dream is to become an airline pilot. He
answered, “Well, why don’t I teach you? You work for the gas and I’ll give you the lessons no
charge”. My first day of lessons at age fourteen was on July 26, 2006, and I have been
working toward my private pilot’s certificate ever since. I could hardly wait for August 26, 2007,
when I would turn sixteen and solo.
My grandpa bought a Morrissey-Shinn, a tiny, low wing, tandem, and stick airplane, and invited
me to accompany him and fly it to Alaska from Stockton, California. The trip lasted one day less
than two weeks, and was the greatest experience so far in my aviation journey. Finally the
day I had been anticipating arrived. On my sixteenth birthday, under beautiful Alaskan blue
skies I soloed in three different aircraft: a Cessna 172, Morrissey-Shinn, and an Aeronca
Champ.
I am now directing my attention toward getting my private pilot’s certificate and plan to soon
thereafter get my instrument rating, float rating, and CFI rating prior to attending college. After
college I want to work toward becoming a cargo airline pilot and hope to inspire other women
pilots to pursue their knowledge of aviation.
Recently joining the 99’s, I have enjoyed camaraderie with more experienced women pilots.
They have provided me with wonderful examples of how to inspire other women pilots. My
participation in Civil Air Patrol also has afforded me the opportunity to meet accomplished
women aviators. One such talented encourager is Mary Feik, a mechanic for the military during
World War II, who is now active in the Civil Air Patrol all around the country.
I am incredibly grateful that my grandpa took such an immense interest in my desires to
become a pilot. All of my initial passion for flying I owe to him and hope I will some day become
an influence on young women interested in an aviation career.
