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| Encouraging more women and girls to have an interest in aviation... |
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Tanya:
I did not always want to fly. I can remember being a young girl, a tom-boy sort with straw
blonde hair and such a curious nature. I wanted to be a singer. I wanted to be a police officer.
At 37 years old, I am both. I have been a patrol officer for 9 years, and I have been singing as
a front-line soloist for an engaging Christian band for 8 years. I had goals that were tangible
and I met them, most all of them actually. Until of course I went for my first Cessna ride.
I had ridden in large jets, passenger planes of all sorts. The first actual “flying” experience I
had was a real heart and mind opener. I was asked to go for a “hundred dollar hamburger” on
a date. It seemed harmless enough. I am a single mother with little assistance from my twelve
year old’s father. A date for a burger to me was like a five-star restaurant. I brought my
camera along for some good scenery shots of Cleveland at the advice of my date. Little did I
know that I would soon expand my horizons as well as feed my belly!
Watching him go through the check-list immediately calmed any reservations I had about flying
in a small aircraft. It was obvious that this man was cautious and remembered his training. I
settled in and listened as he taught me about the instruments.
As a science buff, I learned to love asking questions like how and why? After take-off those
questions seemed irrelevant. I was FLYING! I could not believe how free it felt! I was able to
take the controls and follow directions well enough that I did not hear “my plane” from my
date as he took over for almost twenty minutes. I did not even want to land for that
hamburger I had looked forward to. I wanted to stay in the air and fly just under the clouds
some more.
I realized in that two hour flight that there are certain things that can literally open a person’s
spirit. Things that can change their view of things. I believe flying has done that for me. I no
longer look up at a plane to see when it will have passed by to stop making noise. Now I want
to see its approach, or when it turns down-wind and read its tail number. I long to be aboard
and in the left seat.
As a police officer I have to control things all day. That need for control carries over to
everything I do. While I fly I do not feel the need to control anything but the aircraft I am in. I
do not have to feel the pressure of single motherhood, of bills and more bills, of demands on
my time between my daughter and work etc. I feel freedom.
I extended myself to a single helicopter lesson recently. My spirit may have opened in flying
that Cessna 172, but flying in that helicopter opened my heart. I found my niche - my goal. I
became acutely aware that flying a helicopter professionally is not only where I want to end
up, it is where I NEED to end up.
I always knew that being a police officer was only a stepping stone for me. Unfortunately, the
costs of being a single parent are high. I have the most wonderful twelve year old daughter
who lights my life on bad days. Her needs and wants usually come first. Because of that, I
have had to put off changing careers and college or training. I do know that my professional
pilot’s license with a helicopter rating is my next step when I can afford to make it.
I took my daughter flying with me last week. The “hundred dollar hamburger” guy is still
around and feeding my addiction to flight whenever possible. Taking my daughter was just
exhilarating. I actually took a back seat and watched her transformation. The same one I went
though a little over a year ago now. The one that starts off as some reservation about flying,
to a rush at take-off, then on to the thrill of having the controls. She loved it and begged not
to land. I laughed at her open desire to, as she put it, “drive this thing in the air”. Now she
understands when I choose flying over an expensive dinner or new outfit. I am only waiting for
the inevitable question, “Mom, can I take flying lessons?” I may just have to sign over my
paychecks at that point between the two of us.
My financial situation does not have the great light at the end of the tunnel that I would hope
for. My heart’s desire and need to achieve my goals are a driving force to try and find that light
to commit to training and change careers. I think that I am already a role-model for young girls
as a police officer. I undertook a challenge and still do everyday to be what others told me I
could not be. I am certain that I have made a difference in people’s lives in what I do. I am a
role model as a mother. I put my daughter before myself and never think that my job as a mom
will end. I hope to continue my role model position by achieving my goals in aviation.
I have taught my daughter that life is a never-ending learning process. To never turn down a
free education, and that knowledge through learning is one thing no one can ever take from
you. I want to continue to walk that talk in flight lessons. I am hoping for the financial
assistance I need to make those dreams a reality.
I did not always want to fly. I can remember being a young girl, a tom-boy sort with straw
blonde hair and such a curious nature. I wanted to be a singer. I wanted to be a police officer.
At 37 years old, I am both. I have been a patrol officer for 9 years, and I have been singing as
a front-line soloist for an engaging Christian band for 8 years. I had goals that were tangible
and I met them, most all of them actually. Until of course I went for my first Cessna ride.
I had ridden in large jets, passenger planes of all sorts. The first actual “flying” experience I
had was a real heart and mind opener. I was asked to go for a “hundred dollar hamburger” on
a date. It seemed harmless enough. I am a single mother with little assistance from my twelve
year old’s father. A date for a burger to me was like a five-star restaurant. I brought my
camera along for some good scenery shots of Cleveland at the advice of my date. Little did I
know that I would soon expand my horizons as well as feed my belly!
Watching him go through the check-list immediately calmed any reservations I had about flying
in a small aircraft. It was obvious that this man was cautious and remembered his training. I
settled in and listened as he taught me about the instruments.
As a science buff, I learned to love asking questions like how and why? After take-off those
questions seemed irrelevant. I was FLYING! I could not believe how free it felt! I was able to
take the controls and follow directions well enough that I did not hear “my plane” from my
date as he took over for almost twenty minutes. I did not even want to land for that
hamburger I had looked forward to. I wanted to stay in the air and fly just under the clouds
some more.
I realized in that two hour flight that there are certain things that can literally open a person’s
spirit. Things that can change their view of things. I believe flying has done that for me. I no
longer look up at a plane to see when it will have passed by to stop making noise. Now I want
to see its approach, or when it turns down-wind and read its tail number. I long to be aboard
and in the left seat.
As a police officer I have to control things all day. That need for control carries over to
everything I do. While I fly I do not feel the need to control anything but the aircraft I am in. I
do not have to feel the pressure of single motherhood, of bills and more bills, of demands on
my time between my daughter and work etc. I feel freedom.
I extended myself to a single helicopter lesson recently. My spirit may have opened in flying
that Cessna 172, but flying in that helicopter opened my heart. I found my niche - my goal. I
became acutely aware that flying a helicopter professionally is not only where I want to end
up, it is where I NEED to end up.
I always knew that being a police officer was only a stepping stone for me. Unfortunately, the
costs of being a single parent are high. I have the most wonderful twelve year old daughter
who lights my life on bad days. Her needs and wants usually come first. Because of that, I
have had to put off changing careers and college or training. I do know that my professional
pilot’s license with a helicopter rating is my next step when I can afford to make it.
I took my daughter flying with me last week. The “hundred dollar hamburger” guy is still
around and feeding my addiction to flight whenever possible. Taking my daughter was just
exhilarating. I actually took a back seat and watched her transformation. The same one I went
though a little over a year ago now. The one that starts off as some reservation about flying,
to a rush at take-off, then on to the thrill of having the controls. She loved it and begged not
to land. I laughed at her open desire to, as she put it, “drive this thing in the air”. Now she
understands when I choose flying over an expensive dinner or new outfit. I am only waiting for
the inevitable question, “Mom, can I take flying lessons?” I may just have to sign over my
paychecks at that point between the two of us.
My financial situation does not have the great light at the end of the tunnel that I would hope
for. My heart’s desire and need to achieve my goals are a driving force to try and find that light
to commit to training and change careers. I think that I am already a role-model for young girls
as a police officer. I undertook a challenge and still do everyday to be what others told me I
could not be. I am certain that I have made a difference in people’s lives in what I do. I am a
role model as a mother. I put my daughter before myself and never think that my job as a mom
will end. I hope to continue my role model position by achieving my goals in aviation.
I have taught my daughter that life is a never-ending learning process. To never turn down a
free education, and that knowledge through learning is one thing no one can ever take from
you. I want to continue to walk that talk in flight lessons. I am hoping for the financial
assistance I need to make those dreams a reality.
