The Fear of Flight

The emotional challenge that comes with the fear of losing contact with the ground can be overwhelming.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, I think about the women who made a dramatic impact on my aviation experiences. The first woman pilot to ever take me flying was one of my best friends, and there is nothing more encouraging than flying with a good friend. I knew that if she could do it, I could definitely do it. 

My friend was a captain for a small airline but also flew her stepdad’s Grumman Tiger. One Saturday morning, she offered to take me up. We flew over a golf course, and she wagged the wings as we flew directly over her boyfriend who was golfing. It felt both so casual and surreal; just another day out with my friend—but we happened to be up in the air. 

People initially focus on the physical aspect of flying an airplane without arms; they think… [continue reading]