Pilot
I am a pilot and an environmental attorney. I live in Virginia and I work in
Washington, D.C. I have a bird and about fifteen fish. My flight instructor’s
dog, Eddie, came with me on most of my training flights and is still a frequent
backseat passenger in my plane!
My uncle was in the Canadian Air Force, and I used to love hearing stories
about his flight training in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan. As a child, I also loved
watching Top Gun, the Blue Angels and the Snow Birds (Canada's aerobatic
flying team).
My friend offered to take me flying last year just before my 30th birthday. It
was love at first flight. It was challenging to study, train and go to work full
time, but the rewards of being a pilot made it all worthwhile. I managed to
get my private's license in about eight months. Now I am working on my
instruments rating. When I am not thinking about flying while I am awake,
I’m dreaming about it while I am sleeping!
I trained in Gaithersburg, Maryland. I joined the Congressional Flying Club
and trained on their Cessna 152 and 172. I now co-own a Grumman Tiger. I
have also received my high performance certification in a Piper Cherokee. I’d
love to learn to fly tail-draggers, take aerobatic lessons, get my sea plane
rating, and I want to take a trip to Alaska one day in a Piper Cub. There are
amazing stories of pilots who use the water to extend their runway length so
they can land on the short, rocky beaches of Alaska. I think that’s incredible.
Fulltime, I am an environmental attorney. We work with issues primarily
dealing with the air, water and soil.
I enjoy being an attorney, but I love flying. I have written about being an
attorney as a columnist with the National Law Journal. Those articles are
available under my biography through my firm's website, at www.venable.
com. SUE Magazine has asked me to write a story about flying, which should
be published in a couple months.
People often assume that I am "the girlfriend" or "the wife" when I attend an
aviation meeting. I love seeing the reaction on their faces when I tell them I
am a pilot and that I even own my own plane! My AOPA mentor and my flight
instructor are also quick to introduce me as a pilot, which I appreciate. We
definitely need more women in aviation, and more female flight instructors
and mentors. So come learn how to fly!
I studied environmental science for my undergraduate degree, and then went
to William & Mary Law School. My knowledge of math, science and physics
made it possible for me to self-study for my pilot's exam. I would encourage
all young women to take as many science classes as they can. Those skills
keep doors open, whatever career you pursue.
I want to continue flying animal rescue flights. I also hope to volunteer
overseas with the Red Cross and the United Nations, once I have enough
flying hours built up.
My flying website is at: www.randyarmadillo.com/youngjedi
My AOPA mentor nicknamed me "Young Jedi" on our first flight, and the call
sign stuck! Having a flying call sign is fun. In fact, everyone should have
one! What’s yours?
I am a pilot and an environmental attorney. I live in Virginia and I work in
Washington, D.C. I have a bird and about fifteen fish. My flight instructor’s
dog, Eddie, came with me on most of my training flights and is still a frequent
backseat passenger in my plane!
My uncle was in the Canadian Air Force, and I used to love hearing stories
about his flight training in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan. As a child, I also loved
watching Top Gun, the Blue Angels and the Snow Birds (Canada's aerobatic
flying team).
My friend offered to take me flying last year just before my 30th birthday. It
was love at first flight. It was challenging to study, train and go to work full
time, but the rewards of being a pilot made it all worthwhile. I managed to
get my private's license in about eight months. Now I am working on my
instruments rating. When I am not thinking about flying while I am awake,
I’m dreaming about it while I am sleeping!
I trained in Gaithersburg, Maryland. I joined the Congressional Flying Club
and trained on their Cessna 152 and 172. I now co-own a Grumman Tiger. I
have also received my high performance certification in a Piper Cherokee. I’d
love to learn to fly tail-draggers, take aerobatic lessons, get my sea plane
rating, and I want to take a trip to Alaska one day in a Piper Cub. There are
amazing stories of pilots who use the water to extend their runway length so
they can land on the short, rocky beaches of Alaska. I think that’s incredible.
Fulltime, I am an environmental attorney. We work with issues primarily
dealing with the air, water and soil.
I enjoy being an attorney, but I love flying. I have written about being an
attorney as a columnist with the National Law Journal. Those articles are
available under my biography through my firm's website, at www.venable.
com. SUE Magazine has asked me to write a story about flying, which should
be published in a couple months.
People often assume that I am "the girlfriend" or "the wife" when I attend an
aviation meeting. I love seeing the reaction on their faces when I tell them I
am a pilot and that I even own my own plane! My AOPA mentor and my flight
instructor are also quick to introduce me as a pilot, which I appreciate. We
definitely need more women in aviation, and more female flight instructors
and mentors. So come learn how to fly!
I studied environmental science for my undergraduate degree, and then went
to William & Mary Law School. My knowledge of math, science and physics
made it possible for me to self-study for my pilot's exam. I would encourage
all young women to take as many science classes as they can. Those skills
keep doors open, whatever career you pursue.
I want to continue flying animal rescue flights. I also hope to volunteer
overseas with the Red Cross and the United Nations, once I have enough
flying hours built up.
My flying website is at: www.randyarmadillo.com/youngjedi
My AOPA mentor nicknamed me "Young Jedi" on our first flight, and the call
sign stuck! Having a flying call sign is fun. In fact, everyone should have
one! What’s yours?
 |
| 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
| 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
| Amy and her flying buddy, Madeleine |
| Amy and her crew. |
| Amy's Article Reprinted with permission from SUE Magazine (www.suemagazine.com). |