aviation
caLendar
SprinG 2009
The Calendar of Events is a source of information
about industry/organization events. Italicized calendar items are events at which Women in Aviation, International will be an exhibitor. As dates
or locations can change and errors can occur, verify the information before making final plans to
attend any of the events. Calendar items should
be sent to: Aviation for Women Calendar, 18735
Baseleg Avenue, North Fort Myers, FL 33917; Fax:
(239) 567-2271; Email: alaboda@wai.org. Events
will be considered on a space available basis. ✈
advertisers index
april 1-4
Aircraft Electronics
Association Convention
Dallas, Texas
www.aea.net
april 21-26
Sun ‘n’ Fun Fly-In
Lakeland Linder Field
Lakeland, Florida
www.sun-n-fun.org
april 23
WAI Breakfast
Sun ‘n’ Fun Fly-In
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Hilton Garden Inn
Lakeland, Florida
RSVP by April 16
scoon@wai.org
www.wai.org
www.wai.org
april 25
WAI Reception
Sun ‘n’ Fun Fly-In
5:00 - 6: 30 p.m.
Gifts of Flight Building
Lakeland, Florida
www.wai.org
june 3-9
Canadian Women In
Aviation 10th Biennial
Conference
Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada
www.cwia.ca
july 22-august 2
EAA AirVenture
Wittman Field
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
www.airventure.org
july 22
Women Soar
EAA AirVenture Museum
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
www.airventure.org
air race classic .....................page 14
air canada Jazz.....................page 23
americanairlines ..................page11
amSafe aviation .....................page 9
airTran airways......................page 7
chevron Global aviation. . . . . . . . . . . . page 17
cirrus Design . . . . . . . . . . . .inside Front cover
clarity aloft.........................page 25
Delta connection academy . . . . . . . . .page 15
DTc DuaT...........................page 19
embry-riddle aeronautical
university....................... Back cover
Faa First
Federal credit union.................page 3
Flying Magazine.....................page 47
General Aviation News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7
pilot Getaways ......................page 49
pratt & Whitney ......................page 8
San Juan college/Mesa airlines . . . . . . page 8
Telex................................page 13
united nations ......................page 48
upS ..................................page 5
u.S. navy............................page 45
Wings Financial
Federal credit union . . . . inside Back cover
Women in aviation,
international. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pages 48, 51, 53
(continued from page 56)
finished my Flight Attendant duties and went to the flight deck
to talk to the pilots. On that flight the Captain was a female,
and I asked her about how to become a pilot. She turned out
to be a mentor for pilots at United Airlines and the perfect person to ask about flying. She guided me and gave me an idea of
what to expect financially.
As soon as I returned from that trip I went to a local flight
school and I signed up. My first discovery flight in a Cessna 172
over San Diego harbor sealed it—I had discovered my passion.
I was able to obtain a six-month leave from United Airlines
and find financial help with loans as well as help from my
family. I also enrolled into Pacific Western University to obtain my bachelor’s degree. My daughter inspired me in a great
way. I thought, if my daughter has beaten the odds and made it
through life, I can make it and have my career as a pilot.
My marriage did not survive the changes. So I was a full-time single mom, in aviation school, working on my bachelor’s and attending to my daughter’s special needs. I finished
my ratings: Private, Instrument, Commercial, Multiengine,
CFI, CFII and MEI in six months. I was offered a position as a
Flight Instructor with American Flyers, and earned my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a 3. 7 GPA. Then
I went back full time to my flight attendant job with United
Airlines, simultaneously caring for my disabled daughter and
raising my family all on my own.
After two years as a flight instructor and a full-time flight
attendant, I was hired as a First Officer flying Grand Canyon
tours for Air Vegas Airlines, based in Las Vegas. It was just
after 9/11 and I was offered a voluntary furlough from United.
That worked for me. I moved to Las Vegas with my two kids,
and started all over again.
After one year I was hired at Mesa Airlines as a First Officer. I was assigned Phoenix as a base. I hired a nanny to
help me out. I upgraded to Captain in the Dash 8 a year later. In 2006 I was recalled back to United Airlines as a flight
attendant, and I was also hired at Allegiant Air as a First Officer flying the MD80. I resigned my United position. After
11 months I upgraded to Captain in the MD80 and reached
my goal.
The opportunity that Allegiant Air offered me has been
truly wonderful. I am able to attend to my family and continue with my passion of flying. Currently I am engaged to
a wonderful man, my son José is attending high school with
great grades, and my daughter Josana is a strong happy girl
showing us every day the real meaning of life.
I take great pride in my duties as a captain for Allegiant
Air. The challenges in my career as well as in my life have
only made me a better person and stronger woman. Overall I
thank God for my success and achievements. I always remember, “No matter how steep the mountain is, the Lord is going
to climb it with you.” ✈
