Airline Pilot
Ever since I was a little girl I had dreams of flying, I was going to fly to the
moon, but not until my early teens did I make a career decision to be a
professional pilot.
I was born and raised in Barcelona, Spain, and at the age of 19 I took my
first step towards becoming a professional pilot. I left my family, friends,
and my hometown for the US.
My first solo was out of Ft. Worth–Meacham Field in TX, and I finished my
commercial in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. That was back in 1992, but instead of
continuing into my CFI (Certified Flight Instructor), I elected to return to
Spain, and convert my US license to the European.
I did all my transition training in Lisbon, Portugal. After all that training, and
just shy of 300hrs, no job, and no more money, I returned to my parents
home in Barcelona, and for 4 long years worked in any job that I could get
to save money for my next step in aviation.
Finally in August 1996 I was able to return to the US, this time to the San
Francisco Bay Area, CA. I enrolled as an international student at ERAU
(Embry Riddle Aeronautical University) extended campus, and in September
1997 I finished my CFI training with the best instructor in the world, my
husband! We married in 2000 and shortly after I was hired as a First Officer
at Continental Express (now ExpressJet Airlines).
The unfortunate events of 9-11 took my career to the furloughed path. I
had worked as a CFI in two different FBOs, so I returned to my old job at
Navajo Aviation as an Assistant Chief CFI.
A few month later I was offered a job flying charter in Davis, CA. I enjoyed
flying Barons, Bonanzas, and King Airs for a few months, until my
husband’s job relocated us to Park City, UT.
It was a few months later that Westminster College in Salt Lake City, UT
offered me the position of Chief Flight Instructor for the flight school, but
before I could get too comfortable with the new job, ExpressJet Airlines re-
called me from furloughed on February 2004.
During the long 2.5 years of the furlough, the Pro99s* became my therapy,
my inspiration, my resource center, and my new world in aviation. I have
been a member of the 99s since 1993, and the Co-Chair at the Mt. Diablo
99s chapter for one year.
I just recently upgrade to Captain in the ERJ145, and I’m based in Houston,
TX. We have just moved to Walnut Creek, CA (in the Bay Area).
Flying has been my passion and my career. I have enjoyed working as a CFI
for over 1500 hrs, and I still love teaching; I will be pursuing my Designated
Pilot Examiner certification very soon, and one day I hope to be a Check
Airman at ExpressJet Airlines.
The Pro99s Mentoring program will be the next step. I have never had one
mentor but many role models to listen and learn from, it is time for me to
become one.
In a way, I have reached my childhood dream, but I know look forward to
other challenges. I’m not sure what the future will be, but whatever it is, I
will be flying!!
2008 Update - From April 2007 to August 2008 I took the new pilot base
for our company new division in Ontario, California. We started operations
for ExpressJet airlines, our own little airline. Unfortunately, the price of oil
made the company reconsider the bussiness plan, and it had to be shut
down. I will be based back in IAH starting October 2008.
But for now, I will take a one year leave of absence (or more) as I’m
currently expecting my first child, a baby boy, due to land March 2009. I
expect to return to work the first year after the baby is born, unless the
company denies any further extensions to my leave.
Ever since I was a little girl I had dreams of flying, I was going to fly to the
moon, but not until my early teens did I make a career decision to be a
professional pilot.
I was born and raised in Barcelona, Spain, and at the age of 19 I took my
first step towards becoming a professional pilot. I left my family, friends,
and my hometown for the US.
My first solo was out of Ft. Worth–Meacham Field in TX, and I finished my
commercial in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. That was back in 1992, but instead of
continuing into my CFI (Certified Flight Instructor), I elected to return to
Spain, and convert my US license to the European.
I did all my transition training in Lisbon, Portugal. After all that training, and
just shy of 300hrs, no job, and no more money, I returned to my parents
home in Barcelona, and for 4 long years worked in any job that I could get
to save money for my next step in aviation.
Finally in August 1996 I was able to return to the US, this time to the San
Francisco Bay Area, CA. I enrolled as an international student at ERAU
(Embry Riddle Aeronautical University) extended campus, and in September
1997 I finished my CFI training with the best instructor in the world, my
husband! We married in 2000 and shortly after I was hired as a First Officer
at Continental Express (now ExpressJet Airlines).
The unfortunate events of 9-11 took my career to the furloughed path. I
had worked as a CFI in two different FBOs, so I returned to my old job at
Navajo Aviation as an Assistant Chief CFI.
A few month later I was offered a job flying charter in Davis, CA. I enjoyed
flying Barons, Bonanzas, and King Airs for a few months, until my
husband’s job relocated us to Park City, UT.
It was a few months later that Westminster College in Salt Lake City, UT
offered me the position of Chief Flight Instructor for the flight school, but
before I could get too comfortable with the new job, ExpressJet Airlines re-
called me from furloughed on February 2004.
During the long 2.5 years of the furlough, the Pro99s* became my therapy,
my inspiration, my resource center, and my new world in aviation. I have
been a member of the 99s since 1993, and the Co-Chair at the Mt. Diablo
99s chapter for one year.
I just recently upgrade to Captain in the ERJ145, and I’m based in Houston,
TX. We have just moved to Walnut Creek, CA (in the Bay Area).
Flying has been my passion and my career. I have enjoyed working as a CFI
for over 1500 hrs, and I still love teaching; I will be pursuing my Designated
Pilot Examiner certification very soon, and one day I hope to be a Check
Airman at ExpressJet Airlines.
The Pro99s Mentoring program will be the next step. I have never had one
mentor but many role models to listen and learn from, it is time for me to
become one.
In a way, I have reached my childhood dream, but I know look forward to
other challenges. I’m not sure what the future will be, but whatever it is, I
will be flying!!
2008 Update - From April 2007 to August 2008 I took the new pilot base
for our company new division in Ontario, California. We started operations
for ExpressJet airlines, our own little airline. Unfortunately, the price of oil
made the company reconsider the bussiness plan, and it had to be shut
down. I will be based back in IAH starting October 2008.
But for now, I will take a one year leave of absence (or more) as I’m
currently expecting my first child, a baby boy, due to land March 2009. I
expect to return to work the first year after the baby is born, unless the
company denies any further extensions to my leave.
| *For More Info on the Pro 99s: The 99s Pilot Careers Resource Center Career Resources for Women Pilots Sponsored by The Ninety-Nines, Inc. International Organization of Women Pilots. Whether you plan a pilot career in the airline, corporate, entrepreneurial, government, or military sector of the aviation- aerospace industry, we have the information and support you need. Networking, mentoring, and scholarships can help people in any career field, but these resources are especially critical to the success of women in nontraditional aviation careers. |
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| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
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| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
TM
| Using aviation to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities... |
TM