S2E6- Overcoming Obstacles to Pursue a Career in Aviation, Pilot Robin Hollinger

In this 6th episode of season 2 of Chicks Who Fly, I get to have a conversation with private pilot, working on her instrument rating, Robin Hollinger. After working 5 or 6 different jobs, Robin pivoted and decided to pursue a career in aviation. The idea to start flight training was sparked by her younger brother wanting to start flight training. Robin went on to haver her discovery flight at 30 after a career counselor helped her get clear on what she wanted for herself. The counselor also helped set Robin up to pursue her flying goals.

Robin started flying in Wisconsin. Eventually, she asked her employer if they would let her work remotely so she could do her flight training. Her employer said yes and Robin moved to Florida where after completing her private pilot certificate. Florida is where Robin is currently working on her instrument rating.

In this episode, we get to chat about the challenges of flying in the extreme cold weather such as having to wait for the temperature to WARM UP to -10 F to be able to start the plane. Robin shares about the challenges of fine tuning maneuvers to be within ACS standards.

We also talk about how Robin soloed in winter in Wisconsin. And how she gained confidence after first solo.

Robin talks about how she found herself super challenged by radio communications. Shares some of the funny mistakes she’s made on radio calls. We talk about how practicing emergency checklists gave her confidence and about what her check ride was like , the challenges of instrument training, the discouraging moments she had in flight training and how she moved past them.

This and more in this episode of Chicks Who Fly.

Episode 13 - Pilot, Hair Stylist, Salon Owner and Host of the Cockpits and Cocktails Podcast, Allyssa VanMeter

I have a chat with pilot, hair stylist, salon owner and host of the Cockpits and Cocktails podcast, Allyssa VanMeter, a.k.a. Fly Allyssa.

Allyssa was bit by the aviation bug when she took a helicopter tour of Hawaii during a vacation there. Alyssa is currently using her COVID-19 quarantine time to study for her instrument rating. In our conversation, we address the challenges of flight training, the extraordinary pride she felt when she passed her check ride, the surprising perspective that aviation gives her in flight and in life, personal minimums, time management, the wonderful aviation community, finding opportunities in unexpected setbacks and the importance of priorities. Allyssa also shares some of her aviation story and anecdotes, including that one time she stayed overnight in the FBO.

Episode 11- Civil Air Patrol, Private Pilot & Chair of the Los Angeles 99s Chapter, Kate Scott

LA 99s member, Civil Air Patrol member and Private Pilot with a complex rating, Kate Scott and I get to discuss how a breakup propelled her into taking on flight training, the ups and downs of flight training, dealing with impostor syndrome, how her solo cross-country flight helped her confidence as a pilot, flying for Civil Air Patrol, juggling work and flight training, joining a flying club, the importance of talking through the maneuvers and procedures you are performing during lessons and check rides, preparing for FAA written exams, the challenges of radio communications, and standing for the diversification and expansion of the aviation community.

Episode 10 - KTLA Reporter and Private Pilot, Christina Pascucci

In this 10th episode of Chicks Who Fly, I get to have a conversation with Emmy Award-winning journalist, KTLA reporter and private pilot, Christina Pascucci. We talk about how she learned to fly in order to overcome her paralyzing fear of flying in small planes, We talk about how she learned to fly in Palm Springs and documented her flight training and her first solo for a TV show. We talk about the news story Christina got to do where she was able to grant the wish of a 99-year-old WASP who wanted to fly once more. We talk about dealing with self-doubt, the time that Christina lost comms in her aircraft during a flight, and about the power that comes with taking on challenges in the service of something bigger than just yourself, how Christina is inspired by the idea of empowering women to face their fears and challenges head on, flying to OshKosh, how aviation can serve the community and the confidence that comes with flight training and getting your pilot certificate among other things.

Episode 9 - Chicks Who Fly - Tamara Griffith of GIFT Academy

In today’s episode of Chicks Who Fly, I get to have a conversation with Tamara Griffith. Tamara’s certificates and ratings include being a Multi-engine ATP, a Commercial single-engine land and seaplane, CFI, CFII, MEI, AGI, IGI and an A&P and she has her Inspection Authorization.

Tamara is the daughter of Mary Latimer and her husband, Lawrence who founded and run GIFT (Girls In Flight Training ) Academy and whose goal is to identify and to address the various issues that may be causing women to abandon flight training, and to assist them earning their pilot certificates. Tamara has been a freight pilot, a corporate pilot and a mechanic, chief inspector, among other things and serves as one of the head flight instructors for GIFT Academy which was presented with an AOPA Honor Roll for excellence in training 2013.

In this episode, Tamara and I get to talk about the support, community and camaraderie that is part of the GIFT Academy flight training experience, flying in different countries such as Dubai, Turkey, Italy and Mexico and the attitudes towards women pilots in each culture, flying for different charity and relief organizations, flying with her dog and how he reacted when she had an emergency, flying with her family and what it was like when having an emergency during a flight with them and how flight training can help with other jobs and life situations.

Episode 7 - Commercial Multi-Engine and Tailwheel-Endorsed Pilot, Kristyn Blocher

In today’s Episode, Kristyn and I talk about what it was like to do her flight training as a teenager on a military base, survival training in the freezing cold and snow in Canada, about the challenging twists and turns that had Kristyn step away from aviation for years while she built a successful and rewarding business that allowed her to get herself and her children in a good situation where she was able to become an aircraft owner, get back in aviation, build her hours and get ready for what’s next in her aviation journey, which will soon include an aircraft ferrying service. Kristyn is all about inspiring and empowering women and girls in pursuing and achieving whatever they want in their aviation careers.

Episode 6 - Los Angeles-Based Artist and Commercial Helicopter Pilot- Farida Amar

In this 6th episode of Chicks Who Fly, I get to have a conversation with Los Angeles-based artist and aviatrix, Farida Amar. Farida is a commercial helicopter pilot with an IFR rating and she is working on her commercial fixed-wing add-on. In this episode we get to talk about what it’s like growing up with a pilot mom. We also discuss the pros and cons of helicopters vs airplanes, what we like to look for in a good CFI/student pilot relationship, the financial and logistical challenges Farida faces in completing her training and the benefits of buying a plane to complete flight training.

Chicks Who Fly podcast is now on Anchor so you can now listen to us on any of the many platforms that Anchor distributes our podcast on. If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and subscribing on YouTube. For those of you who would like to become a more intimate part of the process of creating this podcast, please check out our Patreon page and consider becoming a patron of Chicks Who Fly.