| For More Information: Jean's Flight Training 1950 Joe Crosson Dr. El Cajon, Ca. 92020 (619) 449-9234 www.jftaviation.com and National Association of Flight Instructors: http://www.nafinet.org |
Instructor Pilot
Hello, my name is Jean Runner and I am a pilot. I founded “Jean’s Flight
Training” at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, California. My husband and I live in
Lakeside, California with our cat “Cherokee”. She is four years old and was
named for our airplane – a Piper Cherokee.
I first started thinking about airplanes and flying when I was about 12.
We lived next door to an airline pilot and I thought that his job was really
cool. My sister became a pilot first and she convinced me that I should
also learn to fly. After she became an instructor she helped me earn my
instrument rating and eventually I too became an instructor. I now hold
Single and Multi-engine, Instrument, Advanced Ground Instructor, and
Master Instructor ratings.
At first I was instructing at the flight school at Gillespie where I learned to
fly. I have always loved to teach and I really love flying so it was natural
for me to combine the two. After several years working for someone else,
a friend of mine – my first flight student – convinced me that I could start
my own flight school. So, I did. It was scary at first because I was not
sure that I would have enough clients to keep busy. I should not have
worried because a number of my clients followed me to Jean’s Flight
Training and kept flying with me. I was busy 6 days a week and if I would
have allowed it, I could have been busy on Sunday as well. But it is
important to allow family-time and to get away once in a while to keep
everything in perspective. My husband, Bill has always been 100%
supportive of my flying and is very, very, helpful at the flight school. He is
very proud of what I do and loves to brag. Whenever we land somewhere
and a fuel truck driver asks him how much fuel we want, he just points to
me and says, “I don’t know, ask the pilot!”
Over the years I have flown more than 45 different general aviation single
and multi-engine airplanes and now have more than 10,000 flight hours.
As new airplanes are developed with more and more modern gadgets to
help the pilot, I have been fortunate to be able to learn and teach using
the greatest equipment available including all kinds of Global Positioning
Systems and the new “Glass Panels”. In any career you must keep up with
technology to remain successful.
Several years ago I worked a bit for Crown Air Charter flying a Partinavia –
a high wing, fixed gear twin - for several different contract jobs. This was
a nice diversion from teaching and provided me another look at what you
can do as a pilot.
Currently, Jean’s Flight Training is the school of choice by San Diego
Christian College and we provide training for all ratings for a Bachelor’s
Degree in Aviation Science. The college flight team participates in the
Pacific Coast Intercollegiate Flying Association (PCIFA) and last year
qualified to go to the national competition at Salina, Ks.
As a member of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) I have
had the opportunity to participate in some of their surveys and have my
input published. I have written several articles for their on-line magazine
the “e-mentor” and for the mailed version “Mentor”. One of my articles will
be published in the September 2006 issue.
One time I had to fly to Porterville, Ca. and took a non-flying friend of
mine along for the trip. When we were ready to return I checked in with
the local Flight Service Station for an update on the weather. It was
obvious that my friend did not understand much of what the briefer was
saying to me and as we were leaving to walk to the airplane she said,
“Jean, I have a question”. I said, “What?” She replied with, “how many
languages to you have to know to be a pilot?” I laughed and said; “only
English but you do learn a lot of new phrases and meanings. Anyone can
do it.” I did not graduate from college – not because I didn’t want to,
things were just too difficult in my life at the time. But, I feel that I have
been extremely blessed and very successful. Education is very important
so stay in school, do your best, go to college if at all possible and reach
for the stars because you too can be a pilot. Good speaking and writing
skills and at least basic algebra will serve you well in reaching your goal in
aviation.
While you are waiting for that first flight lesson you can prepare yourself
with some fun things that will be helpful in developing your understanding
of how airplanes fly. There are several good workbooks available that let
you make good quality paper airplanes and learn about their parts.
Anytime you have an opportunity to fly with a friend, Uncle, Mom, Dad,
Brother, or Sister who is a pilot – do it. If they offer you the flight
controls –take them - then you can brag to your friends that you “flew” an
airplane.
In our area we have a new program called “Soaring Eagles” that once a
year offers a ground school class and an hour flight for each participant.
This is at the high school level and is open by application and
recommendation to any interested high school student. Also, our airport
has “Gillespie Field Young Eagles” where young boys and girls can fly for
very low cost and instructors volunteer their time to instruct.
I started flying more than 30 years ago and it has been a huge part of my
life. At first there were some interruptions to my flying but since 1983 it
has been a constant hobby and then - since 1993 - my career. I would
recommend this life for any young woman. A career in aviation can be
extremely rewarding. You get to meet great people who are interested in
what you do. You can have a career in instructing – as I do – and be
rewarded each time one of your students reaches a milestone. Several of
my former students now fly for the major airlines and it makes me very
proud to see their success. I would not trade my career choice for
anything. If I had it to do over, I would start flying as soon as I could
reach the controls. So, young ladies, reach for the stars and learn to fly.
Hello, my name is Jean Runner and I am a pilot. I founded “Jean’s Flight
Training” at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, California. My husband and I live in
Lakeside, California with our cat “Cherokee”. She is four years old and was
named for our airplane – a Piper Cherokee.
I first started thinking about airplanes and flying when I was about 12.
We lived next door to an airline pilot and I thought that his job was really
cool. My sister became a pilot first and she convinced me that I should
also learn to fly. After she became an instructor she helped me earn my
instrument rating and eventually I too became an instructor. I now hold
Single and Multi-engine, Instrument, Advanced Ground Instructor, and
Master Instructor ratings.
At first I was instructing at the flight school at Gillespie where I learned to
fly. I have always loved to teach and I really love flying so it was natural
for me to combine the two. After several years working for someone else,
a friend of mine – my first flight student – convinced me that I could start
my own flight school. So, I did. It was scary at first because I was not
sure that I would have enough clients to keep busy. I should not have
worried because a number of my clients followed me to Jean’s Flight
Training and kept flying with me. I was busy 6 days a week and if I would
have allowed it, I could have been busy on Sunday as well. But it is
important to allow family-time and to get away once in a while to keep
everything in perspective. My husband, Bill has always been 100%
supportive of my flying and is very, very, helpful at the flight school. He is
very proud of what I do and loves to brag. Whenever we land somewhere
and a fuel truck driver asks him how much fuel we want, he just points to
me and says, “I don’t know, ask the pilot!”
Over the years I have flown more than 45 different general aviation single
and multi-engine airplanes and now have more than 10,000 flight hours.
As new airplanes are developed with more and more modern gadgets to
help the pilot, I have been fortunate to be able to learn and teach using
the greatest equipment available including all kinds of Global Positioning
Systems and the new “Glass Panels”. In any career you must keep up with
technology to remain successful.
Several years ago I worked a bit for Crown Air Charter flying a Partinavia –
a high wing, fixed gear twin - for several different contract jobs. This was
a nice diversion from teaching and provided me another look at what you
can do as a pilot.
Currently, Jean’s Flight Training is the school of choice by San Diego
Christian College and we provide training for all ratings for a Bachelor’s
Degree in Aviation Science. The college flight team participates in the
Pacific Coast Intercollegiate Flying Association (PCIFA) and last year
qualified to go to the national competition at Salina, Ks.
As a member of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) I have
had the opportunity to participate in some of their surveys and have my
input published. I have written several articles for their on-line magazine
the “e-mentor” and for the mailed version “Mentor”. One of my articles will
be published in the September 2006 issue.
One time I had to fly to Porterville, Ca. and took a non-flying friend of
mine along for the trip. When we were ready to return I checked in with
the local Flight Service Station for an update on the weather. It was
obvious that my friend did not understand much of what the briefer was
saying to me and as we were leaving to walk to the airplane she said,
“Jean, I have a question”. I said, “What?” She replied with, “how many
languages to you have to know to be a pilot?” I laughed and said; “only
English but you do learn a lot of new phrases and meanings. Anyone can
do it.” I did not graduate from college – not because I didn’t want to,
things were just too difficult in my life at the time. But, I feel that I have
been extremely blessed and very successful. Education is very important
so stay in school, do your best, go to college if at all possible and reach
for the stars because you too can be a pilot. Good speaking and writing
skills and at least basic algebra will serve you well in reaching your goal in
aviation.
While you are waiting for that first flight lesson you can prepare yourself
with some fun things that will be helpful in developing your understanding
of how airplanes fly. There are several good workbooks available that let
you make good quality paper airplanes and learn about their parts.
Anytime you have an opportunity to fly with a friend, Uncle, Mom, Dad,
Brother, or Sister who is a pilot – do it. If they offer you the flight
controls –take them - then you can brag to your friends that you “flew” an
airplane.
In our area we have a new program called “Soaring Eagles” that once a
year offers a ground school class and an hour flight for each participant.
This is at the high school level and is open by application and
recommendation to any interested high school student. Also, our airport
has “Gillespie Field Young Eagles” where young boys and girls can fly for
very low cost and instructors volunteer their time to instruct.
I started flying more than 30 years ago and it has been a huge part of my
life. At first there were some interruptions to my flying but since 1983 it
has been a constant hobby and then - since 1993 - my career. I would
recommend this life for any young woman. A career in aviation can be
extremely rewarding. You get to meet great people who are interested in
what you do. You can have a career in instructing – as I do – and be
rewarded each time one of your students reaches a milestone. Several of
my former students now fly for the major airlines and it makes me very
proud to see their success. I would not trade my career choice for
anything. If I had it to do over, I would start flying as soon as I could
reach the controls. So, young ladies, reach for the stars and learn to fly.
 |
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| Jean recently renewed her Master CFI accreditation. Read Press Release. |
| 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... |
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