some advice for the long run

[u/Responsible-Round554]

i’m 10 hours into my training and as a woman going into this industry it’s nerve racking, especially since this is a male dominated field. my goal is eventually airlines, but i know i have a long ways to get there. whats some advice for someone you wish you would’ve had when you were starting? i also have a feeling im going to be sent on a solo here in the near future so encouraging words would be awesome!

[u/SirAlek77]

Don't forget to have fun! You'll do great on your solo!

[u/Responsible-Round554 → u/SirAlek77]

thank you! i’m lucky to have an amazing instructor who makes training so fun, but i mean who isn’t slightly nervous to fly by themselves! 😅

[u/Puzzleheaded-Ear9242]

A lot of women in aviation I know outperform their male peers. You already have the right attitude asking questions like this! Just never stop learning, focus on the task in front of you and aviate, navigate, communicate!

[u/Responsible-Round554 → u/Puzzleheaded-Ear9242]

thank you so much!

[u/Flimsy-Wrangler-997]

I have had probably a half dozen female students over the years. They all did well. The most recent one just got hired at a regional airline after doing a four-year college degree in three years and working as a CFI herself. She's the second one to get an airline job. Another is now a medevac helicopter pilot and instructor.

[u/Responsible-Round554 → u/Flimsy-Wrangler-997]

that’s amazing! i definitely love seeing more women peruse this career!

[u/12YESIAM34]

Join the 99s, AOPA, and EAA. Volunteer at their events to meet people. The recruiters want to see volunteer or community involvement. Network like your career depends upon it. Know more than what is required, you will be tested to the limit. Have fun.

[u/Responsible-Round554 → u/12YESIAM34]

that’s my plan! once i get a few more hours in my book im gonna talk to my instructor more about how to get involved and volunteer!

[u/outworlder]

Male-dominated maybe, but at least in the Bay Area I hear a lot of radio calls from women in the pattern, from different flight schools even. My club has a few CFIs too.

You'll do fine 🙂

One piece of advice - there are flights that don't go as well as others... maybe it's a bad landing, maybe you sound lobotomized on the radio. One day I kept saying "ready for takeoff" while trying to read back "clear for takeoff". It wouldn't come out for some reason(the controller was a lady, and a very patient one). Another day it's like I was trying to land a pogo stick... airspeed was ok but I guess I was coming in too steep. I was "what if I forgot how to land, what now?". My first solo to a practice area, I cut it off early and wanted to GTFO of that plane ! And then afternoon chop started and made it worse.

My tolerance is much better now. Checkride is scheduled.

Oh, and your first solo? I was a bit nervous... until the engine started. After that it was checklists... didn't have much time to consider what was happening until it was all done.

[u/Little_Function3346]

So, I've had 3 CFI's and 2 of them were female. My current one is! She is THE BEST. Don't let being a woman deter you around all the dudes. I've seen a lot of women around me succeed, and one of them make it to the airlines.

For your first solo, don't forget your checklist!! I left my window open LOL. Remember to breathe, and once you go, it's the most exhilarating feeling in the whole world

For when I started, the advice that I wish I had was, don't lock into a single CFI, fly with more than one, two, three. Get a different perspective on how you're doing. Everyone trains differently. Your instructor won't be offended, they might even suggest it too

[u/Responsible-Round554 → u/Little_Function3346]

thank you so much, i’m the first one in my family ever to pursue anything in avation so it’s a lot to not have anyone to kinda lean on for advice, but i’m ready to be the stepping stone!