MOM

Friday, April 29, 2011

Katja Jourdan

Friday Fabulous Flyer!

Katja Jourdan

May 21st, Katja Jourdan is hosting a Fly It Forward event at Kingston-Ulster Airport, N.Y. 

What's amazing about this event, and Katja, is that she is only 17 years old. Her first flight lesson was on September 26, 2010.  And she just soloed on March 20, 2011. Yesterday she passed her written! For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term "written," that's the first--huge, and very stressful-- test, that every pilot must pass as a step to obtaining their license. And this flying event? Well, this began as her Senior Project.


Katja's life has been an adventure for as long as she can remember. She's a world traveler who was born in Arizona, moved to Germany, back to Arizona, to California, then to New York... and all before the age of five!

Katja Jourdan Taking a Flight Lesson

She hadn't always wanted to fly, actually, not until last Spring when she got bitten by the aviation bug, and looked to the sky. As a young child her first career goal was to become an astronaut. It wasn't long until she came back to earth with dreams of becoming a teacher, nurse, surgeon, doctor, child-care provider, and ultrasound technician.

Inspiration comes in many ways.

When I asked Katja when she became interested in flying, she shared a wonderful story:

"During spring break last year, I went to the MOSI museum in Florida and viewed Operation Red Flag in an iMAX dome theater. The film was about fighter pilots at some training place called Red Flag--it was love at first sight. The dome theater setting also gave the feeling that you were actually sitting in the cockpit of the jets they were filming from inside of. I later talked to my cousin (a load-master in the AF for C117s) about my new found love. My cousin is also a CFI, so he was thrilled to hear of my new interest. He sent me his old private pilot books/DVDs and words of advice for success... and I was on my way!

Fun fact: I actually didn't want to view the fighter pilot movie at the museum... Wall*E was also playing and I insisted that my family and I viewed that instead. Fortunately, I lost that battle against my parents :)"

The Movie that Inspired the Dream

Katja is a senior at Ulster County BOCES-- a technical school that allows high school students attend for half the school day--- and Rondout Valley High School.

At BOCES, Katja is enrolled in the Aviation program where she is studying flight training and will graduate June 14th.

Next Fall she will attend Jacksonville University in Florida to continue flight training, and major in business with flight operations and ATC. Her goal is to one day fly with me at Delta. Well, I added the "Delta" part because I would love to fly with her. But one of the major airlines will be lucky to have this dynamic young lady come knocking at their door.

Checking out the Cirrus


Katja has also been recognized by the "New York State Project for Nontraditional Employment and Training as a nontraditional student with excellent academic performance and dedication to her career path in aviation." Wow... and that was a mouthful. This project, also known as the NET project, looks for students involved in "nontraditional" careers... where their sex makes up less than 25% of the total workforce. Being that less than 6% of pilots are women, I'm thinking that flying fit that requirement.

Katja was nominated by her aviation ground school teacher, she wrote an essay, then was selected as a finalist and ultimately, as one of the winners. She received an award along with a small amount of money, that went directly to the airport.


Rochell (Mom), Udo (Dad), Katja and Briana (Sister)

Katja, how does your family feel about your flying?

"My family is very supportive of me flying. My mother always wanted to fly... her and my father are actually quite jealous. My sister accepts it, and actually is becoming more and more interested in aviation. I make her study with me all of the time so she already knows a lot more than any other beginner would know"

Briana and Katja

Katja, can you tell us what it's like to fly?

"I feel so free when I'm in the air... like I'm on a high (no pun intended) and nothing can stop me. Taking off and watching the world shrink beneath you just makes you realize how much the world has to offer, possibilities are endless.

Flying is also so rewarding, I always feel so accomplished after I finish for the day--I am ALWAYS learning something new. I can be in the worst of moods when I begin my lesson, but after I'm airborne, I completely forget whatever was bothering me and I feel great. Most times, I don't ever want to stop. 

A professor at Vaughn College said, "once the aviation bug has bitten, it will never go away." And I agree 100%, once you get that first taste you're hooked. Flying has also given me a means of motivation and encouragement for anything life throws my way--when I think something will be challenging, I recall my first solo flight and say to myself,  that if I can fly an airplane all by myself and walk away in one piece, then doing _______ will be a piece of cake"

Checking out the 737

On her way home from visiting colleges in Florida, her mother asked the male flight attendant, "Do you guys do anything special for future pilots?"

The flight attendant asked the first officer, and he said, "she can come in the cockpit... but only if she's cute."

Katja said, "They both looked at me and let me in the cockpit with open arms. It was great... but man, did I have a hard time trying to figure out how to get in the seat without knocking things over!"

That's pretty funny Katja, because we all have a hard time without knocking things over in the 737.

In her spare time-- between school, flying and planning flying events-- Katja has many loves:

"Planes, red hair, warm sunny weather, colorful things (tie-dye!), and the movie Into The Wild. When I'm not playing with planes I like to... Go on walks, spend time with my sister, Zumba!, read, (try) and be artistic, cook, run, listen to music, hike, ride bikes, I could go on forever... "

Katja, "inspiring" is the only word to describe you. Good luck on your Senior Project, and your career.  I know everything you do, you will be a huge success! I'm looking forward to the day when we can fly together.

 
Katja's Senior Project

Enjoy the Journey!

~ Karlene

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Excitement By the Hudson River!

Katja Jourdan is hosting a flying event at the Kingston-Ulster airport, in New York, right off of the Hudson River!


Date: May 21st
Time: 12- 2 p.m.

What exactly is happening just off the Hudson you ask?

All Engines Running, A Fly It Forward Event!

Women and girls of all ages are invited to:
  • Listen to guest speakers... Female pilots, of course.
  • Tour aircraft
  • Learn how to do a preflight
  • Learn the process of becoming a pilot
  • Play on the simulator
  • Enter a raffle for a free flight!
  • Eat. Yes, there will be lots of food!

They may have up to five planes!


The owner of the airport and Kaja are going to speak, a CFI is going to answer questions about becoming a pilot and they'll give a tours of a plane, they're also going to let girls fly the simulator, and they'll raffle off some free flights while enjoying food! An exciting day for everyone.

Sample Simulator

Where?

The Kingston-Ulster Airport 
1161 Flatbush Rd Kingston, NY 12401
http://www.kingstonulsterairport.com/



Why is Katja hosting this event?
  • To, ultimately, get more women involved in aviation.
  • To make women aware that they can do anything they set their minds to... and that flying is not just a "man's" job!
    Why May?

    May 21-22nd is the anniversary of Amelia Earhart's solo across the Atlantic Ocean... the first female to make this solo flight. And May 21st is International Learn to Fly day! A day to celebrate.

    There is always more to any story than meets the eye, and this event is no different. One of the most spectacular things about this event, is the organizer:  

    Katja Jourdan

    The story behind this event, is all about the woman organizing it. The inciting incident behind Katja's Fly It Forward event, and the other reason that May worked so well... will be unearthed tomorrow. You'll have to come back and meet this Fabulous Flyer!

    Enjoy the Journey!

    ~ Karlene

    Wednesday, April 27, 2011

    Abby Jarve: Why I Want to Fly

    "A week after Christmas in 2010 was my first flight in a small plane with the BEFA. It was amazing, something that I will never forget.


    Everything seems slower up in the air. Cars that once seemed so fast slowed down to a crawl. People turned to ants. We were flying through air, it seemed like there was nothing around us. A big chunk of metal with six passengers that could actually fly. Something that just over 100 years ago, seemed impossible. 

    Right after the flight I called my grandma. My mom still makes fun of me for saying this, “we got in the plane, we took off, and then we landed!” I just didn’t know how to describe it, and even now I am still trying to find the words. 

    Right now I am a freshman at Aviation High School. I left my best friends to follow my dreams. March twelfth was my birthday and my friend gave me a card that said, “I hate you for leaving me to go to AHS, but at the same time love you for following your dreams.” I am so lucky to have supportive friends who do encourage me to follow my dream. 

    Going to AHS takes a lot of hard work, but it is really worth it. There are so many opportunities out there that I would never have known about if I didn’t go to this high school. I can’t let this get away from me; I have to be a pilot. 

    I’m working as a baby sitter to save money up for flight school, even if it takes ten years, I’m still going to do it. Flying is so amazing, it is something that people have dreamed about since Earth began. It’s a dream that is possible. Even before my first flight, I wanted to be a pilot. Going in the small plane just assured me even more that I am going to do this. No one can stop me."


    Abby, I, too, babysat and saved every penny to fly... Excellent job skills for working in the airline industry. I have no doubt your dream to fly will become a reality. Never give up, and there will be nothing that can stop you.  

    I remember your smiling eyes at our BEFA flying event. When I saw you, I thought, "She is going to be a pilot." Keep me posted when you take your free flight with Galvin, and take lots of pictures.


    Enjoy the Journey!

    ~ Karlene

    Tuesday, April 26, 2011

    Holding Patterns Have Never Been so Easy...

    How do you enter a holding pattern?

    The reason Evergreen hired me with low time was I knew the answer to this question. Well there was more to it than that, but they did give me a simulator check to see if I "could fly" and the results ended ended with the fact that I also knew how to enter and exit a holding pattern.

    The night before the check Bo Corby taught me how to do this amazing feat, without the use of my thumbs. Most pilots were sticking their thumbs up like painting a masterpiece... angling left, then right, or drawing pictures to figure out how to enter.


    How do we enter a holding pattern in the A330?

    Answer: With a finger.

    I suppose you could use your thumb, but it wouldn't be as graceful as using a pointer finger. Unless of course you're feeling a bit overwhelmed, overworked, or perhaps not happy with the way the check airman is conducting the simulator session, and then you could use the finger of your choice.

    The point is, we now enter the holding patter in the MCDU with a press of a button, or two, and the plane does all the work.

    Easy as 1, 2, 3...  
    1. Select lateral Nav (left side) on the location you want to hold over.
    2. If a holding pattern exists, cross check the hold displayed in the MCDU with the holding pattern on your chart. Edit as necessary. 
    3. Select 6R ... INSERT*
    Notes:
    • If no hold exists... default values: Current inbound course to the fix. Right turns. 1.5 minute legs above 14, 000 feet and 1 minute legs below 14,000 feet. 
    • We have the ability to edit direction of turn, time, distance, and the course, as necessary. 
    Holding Speeds:
    • If using managed speed, airspeed will be that for the current flap configuration (Green dot, S or F)
    • If approaching the holding pattern in "selected" speed, and more than 5 knots different from computed hold speed, "SET HOLD SPEED" will be displayed on the PFD.
    Predictions:
    • LAST  EXIT values for UTC and FUEL
    • Latest time to exit the hold. 
    • Least amount of fuel on board to exit with alternate, reserve, and extra time.
    Deleting the holding pattern:
    • Prior to entering the hold: Clear the HOLD R or HOLD L waypoint. 
    • Prior to entering or during the hold, an IMM EXIT prompt is displayed. Immediate exit.
    • At anytime when you proceed direct to a waypoint.
     Selecting IMM:
    • Prior to entering hold: Plane continues on flight plan.
    • While in hold: Flight returns immediately to holding fix, then continues on flight plan. Holding pattern is erased after crossing fix. 
    • When selected, IMM is replaced with Resume hold prompt.

    The moral of this story... holding is easy in the electronic plane. No need to kill perfectly good brain cells when you don't have to. But, for those who are learning to fly... get your thumbs out! Also a great technique to build hours.



    Commercial/Instrument pilots in training... or anyone getting ready for a simulator check... if you want to know the easiest way to enter a holding pattern, let me know. If there's enough interest... I will share my secret. :) 

    Enjoy the Journey!

    ~Karlene

      Monday, April 25, 2011

      Monday Motivation: Dream

      "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. 
      Always remember, you have within you...
      the strength, the patience, and the passion 
      to reach for the stars to change the world."
      Harriet Tubman




      Enjoy the Journey! 

      ~ Karlene

      Sunday, April 24, 2011

      Happy Easter

      Miles the Easter Duck finds Eggs

      From my family to yours... Have a wonderful Easter~ 

      Kadence,  Kalimar and Khoyn
      Enjoy the Journey

      ~ Karlene

      Friday, April 22, 2011

      Michelle Bassanesi

      Friday Fabulous Flyer! 

      Round New Zealand Air Race 2004
      Resource Broker- Chief Operations Officer - Professional Pilot/Instructor - Mentor -ERAU Undergraduate. 
      2011 AIRBUS Leadership Award 
      "Impossible is ... only a stepping stone to success!" 

      The following message flew into my computer last week, and I was compelled to respond.

      "I have been keen on participating in air races and especially the ARC since I started flying in 2000. If it is not this year I DO HOPE IT WILL BE NEXT year, Why? because that’s when I turn 50! 

      The Air Race Classic is always on my birthday week (June 23rd). What a great way it would be to celebrate my birthday and have fun learning doing what I love in the company of so many sisters in aviation! 

      In April 2004 I participated In the New Zealand Air Race “044Fun” and truly had fun and got to see both the North and South Islands from above. What an awesome experience that was."

      I, too, will turn 50 in 2012~ Inspiration hit... what if these two 50 year old women flew in this Air Race together?  I contacted Michelle and knew we would soon be friends.



      Michelle is an Australian but has been living in Italy since 1977. Imagine moving from Sydney to Rome at the age of 15. Culture shock? Yes. But this experience gave Michell "unique skills, resilience and survival." 

       Her motto: "Impossible is ... only a stepping stone to success. This simply boils down to never take no for an answer."

      A woman after my own heart. Everything good in my life has come because I refused to take no for an answer.  When I responded to Michelle's request, she shared her experience and her story. Since she, too, is going to be a writer we'll giver her a start now. 

      Funny. Inspirational. Goal oriented. Focused. Dedicated. And she never accepts "no" for an answer. I love this woman! 

      Michelle says... 

      "At 38 I realized I could learn to fly and I did!

      After High School I couldn't afford University so I went straight to work, as accountant secretary for an event servicing company in Rome. I am now COO for that same company.   

      I took long service leave and moved to California for 6 months, where I achieved my FAA PPL, IR, and complex ratings plus 200 hours of flight time before heading back to Italy. 

      99 In Italy

      It has been a series of hiccups, work to raise funds - fly, run out of money, work to raise funds, fly, run out of money, work to raise funds, - to get the FAA and JAA ratings. 

      Michelle and Seneca passed their check the next day!

      I now have the JAA/FAA CPL IR MEL/SEL and CFI/CFII certificates, I am part-time flight instructor flying out of the Rome Urbe airport and I have been blessed with receiving various scholarships along the way. The most recent is the honor of receiving The Airbus Leadersip grant, funds that will be used towards my degree!

      Examiner congratulates Michelle. She passed her initial JAA FI

      Last year I was accepted in ERAU Worldwide and am working towards my BS in Professional Aeronautics with a minor in Aviation Management and Aviation Safety. I am part-time online  student and this has its challenges. 

      You Soar Girls she mentored in Oshkosh 2010

      My plan is to combine my 30+ years of business experience with my passion for aviation and create unique assets for one of my future job opportunities. I will be a corporate pilot soon, then at 85 I will be a commercial helicopter pilot and ... at 105 I will write a book! 

      Left base turn to R34 LIRU

      And in the meantime? I will enjoy the ride and the view :- )I have various dreams. One is to make aviation available and user friendly besides promoting and creating opportunities for other women who wish to enter aviation as a profession www.aweu.org

      Closing Hangar doors at the end of the night

      Another is to be head of a corporate flight department and fly around the world in corporate jets! I enjoy mentoring high school girls and flight instructing, it’s the look in their eyes when they "get it" that makes it all worthwhile plus the fact that I have the unique opportunity of being able to teach what I love!
       
      Mom and Daughter, Nicole Giacomarra

      I am a single mum to beautiful 27 year old Nicole who is now, after 10 years of work experience, also back in school, at LUMSA university in Rome, full time."

      Michelle is the "dream catcher" and her story are amazing. 

      Born one month before Michelle, I am officially the older woman. And yes, I hugged my "Seneca" the day before my checkride, too. One of my three beautiful daughters is 27, as well. Do you think that a week flying together we'll be short of conversation? 

      My goal... is to get checked out in a small plane and locate one to rent for the race next year. 

      Thank you for sharing your story Michelle. You are definitely one Fabulous Flyer! 

      Enjoy the Journey!

      ~ Karlene

      Thursday, April 21, 2011

      Seattle 99's Celebrate Aviation HighSchool Students!

      Yesterday ended with: disbelief, celebration, and reality. Each event isolated, but each event sent a message.

      Disbelief...  I received a response to an email I sent while in pursuit of aviation safety. Not to be addressed in this venue, but the message will be.

      Message:  There will always be people who don't get it. Do we standby and walk away quietly? Or do we stand up and fight? If safety is involved, and the system is broken, I say... don't give up. We all need a little activist in us.

      Celebration:

      This was something to celebrate. A group of students, lead by their inspiring teacher, Mary Ciccone-Cook, were honored at our 99 meeting.


      These students were honored for writing essays in support and hope of receiving a Space Shuttle in our Seattle Museum of Flight. I had the opportunity to read a few, and was amazed at the power of their passion, their research, and writing skills. Way to go Mary! Teachers are the life force of our world.

      I'm hoping the students will send me their essays so you, too, can read them. While we didn't get the Shuttle... we did get the simulator. Something that we can sit in and touch, not just look at. Besides, every Astronaut that ever touched space, trained in this simulator.

      Message: You may not always get what you want in life, but you will always get what you need.

      I love my 99 team! They are a group of female pilots (and one Mark) giving their time, dedication and support to aviation safety and the community.

      What do we have planed?

      • Wednesday, May 11th, 2011, 6:00 PM. Monthly Business Meeting ~ Potluck ~ please bring an item to share (but don't miss the meeting if you aren't able to bring food)Embry Riddle Aeronautical University ~ 1000 Oakesdale Avenue, SW, Suite 110 Renton, WA 98057. RSVP to Chapter Secretary Jen Baxter. 
      • The program for the May meeting will be to award the winner of the $2000 Greater Seattle Flight Training Scholarship
      • Saturday , May 14, 2011 ~ Flying Companion Seminar ~ 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM  ~ CPO Club ~ 1080 West Ault Road, Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island. Contact Chapter Chairman, Andrea Chay, for more details.
      • Saturday , May 21, 2011 ~ International Learn to Fly Day  ~ Locations worldwide. Please click here for more details.
      • Saturday , June 18, 2011 ~ 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM ~ American Heroes Airshow  ~ Boeing Field. Please click here for more details.
      • July 6-10, 2011 ~ Arlington Fly-In ~ KAWO airport, approximately 50 miles north of Seattle. Check out this link for more information. We generally have a booth led by Ann Lovett of the Mt. Tahoma Chapter. Greater Seattle Chapter member, Marty Vale, is a long-time volunteer at the event. Contact her if you are interested in general volunteering.
      • July 13-17, 2011 ~ International Conference ~ Oklahoma City, OK. Check out this link for more information. Details forthcoming.
      • September 15-18, 2011 ~ Joint Northwest/West Canada Section Meeting ~ Sandman Hotel Vancouver City Center ~180 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, B.C. V6B 4P4. We are working on details. Please contact Chapter member and Conference Co-chair, Tricia Crook, for more information.


      Reality:

      I walked in late to my WNBA meeting. Nothing to do with Basketball, but everything to do with BOOKS.  Trying to be in two places in one night was a challenge, but with daylight hours longer, and clear roads, it was easier to make the effort. I'm so glad I did.
      Our guest was Jen Marlowe, co-author with Sami Al Jundi, of the memoir: The Hour of SUNLIGHT.

      "As a teenager, Sami Al Jundi had one ambition: overthrowing Israeli occupation. With two friends he formed a militant cell and began building a bomb to use against the Israeli police. But their plans were derailed when the bomb exploded prematurely, killing one of his friends. Al Jundi was sentenced to ten years in prison.

      The Hour of Sunlight
      describes Al Jundi’s extraordinary metamorphosis from a militant to a passionate advocate of nonviolence and peaceful reconciliation...."

      You can expect a full book report on Critique Sisters Corner  soon.


      Jen Marlowe is an activist changing the world one child at a time. She's dedicated her life to making the world a better place. If you'd like to join her for a book reading, she will be at the Elliot Bay Books  at 4:30 on Saturday, April 23rd.

      She read a few passages and each word... riveting. This woman has the inside story on what is really happening in the corners of the world, and the passion and skill to share it.

      Message: We all live on planet earth. Universal peace is the only way our world will survive. And aviation safety.


      Enjoy the Journey!


      ~ Karlene

      Wednesday, April 20, 2011

      Daniella Ruby Molina: Day In The Sky


      Oh how I have waited for this day, to lift up and away.

      Soaring somewhere between heaven and the land
      Power, height and lift controlled by a steady hand.

      To check and double check is better, not ever forgetting to check the
      weather.

      I hold my plan and my thought as this flight sets off into air. I will
      return safely to tell the people how this world looks from way up
      there.

      Among the clouds, maybe just a mile or two closer to the
      stratosphere, where I will not fear.
      For my mind is clear,my heart is true and I fly with a blessed prayer
      from you.

      ~Daniella Ruby Molina



      Daniella won a prize for the best poem in the Why I Want To Fly contest, and has just complete her free flight in Los Angeles.  She said....

      "I LOVED it! I was nervous, happy and filled with pure joy all at once. The day was perfect. Once again, Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart." 

      Respectfully,
      Daniella 


      The smile says it all. And another pilot is born! 

      Enjoy the Journey!

      ~ Karlene

      Tuesday, April 19, 2011

      Rock of Gibralter

      The entrance to the Mediterranean between Spain and Morocco... Amazing, but true. I'm hoping everyone is staying awake at this airport.









      One place you don't want to run a red light.

      PS... Thank you 99's for sending me some great shots! 

      Enjoy the Journey!

      ~Karlene

      Monday, April 18, 2011

      Monday Motivation: Focus = Success

      Question of the day...

      "How do airlines look at checkride failures? Is it a number thing, or is it a quantitative thing and they ask you why, you explain, etc...The reason I ask is because this next checkride I am taking is for my commercial, multi, and instrument. I'm in a 141 school when I took the stage checks for the commercial and instrument part of the course, but I didn't get my certificates. It is all one course, 95 lessons from beginning to end, I am on 92 now, the final stage check is lesson 95. 

      So, while a part 141 school student will technically never fail a checkride, we may fail a stage check.  I've heard the pass rate is 60%, so not too high, mostly for dumb mistakes. Plus on the oral they can ask anything from instrument, commercial and multi...which makes me wonder why I studied it for previous stage checks if I have to relearn it all again. So this is kind of a high stress high stakes stage check...

      My question is, how would failing this particular stage check look bad since it is for all the marbles, so to speak?"


      My answer begins with a couple questions of my own...

      Why do professional Basketball players stand on the free throw line and miss their foul shot? I'm mean seriously, my daughter could make that shot when she was ten.


      Why do pro golfers go from golfing a 60 to an 80, while on tour, withing two days?


      The real question is why do professional pilots, athletes, or students fail when they have the technical skills for success?

      The answer: FOCUS.  Or rather... lack of.

      If you have been trained, have the technical skills, and proven you can perform a given function... then the only reason you will fail is by allowing your mind to drift to someplace other than the task at hand.

      If your mind to wanders to "what if" I don't succeed, the FAA is watching me, thousands of fans are in the stands, if I sink this I'll be rich, if I miss this shot I'll lose my chance for the title, if I screw up ... the airlines won't want me and I'll have worked my entire life for nothing and kill all my dreams! If you allow yourself to think about anything other than the task at hand... your performance will degrade. How much? Depends on what kind of a monkey mind you have and how far you let it wander. Single-minded focus is the key to success.

      So... back to the question, "What if I fail my checkride?" Will the answer to that question help you perform any better? Will your performance be any better if I told you that it didn't matter? What if I said, "if you fail you won't get to be a pilot." Worry and fear waste valuable brain cells that you need for your checkride.


      Prepare yourself for whatever you're doing. Focus on your flight. Focus on your studies. Focus on your test. Focus on that free throw. Focus on that putt. Do NOT allow your mind to wander down the path of "what if." If you do... you will not be your best and you will have a much higher probability of failure.

      Questioning "what if" you don't succeed is a really rough runway to travel down. It will destroy your chance for success. Those rocks are going to fly up and take out your prop.

      Do not worry about what "might" happen. Concentrate on what "is" happening. You'll have a great ride!

      Enjoy the Journey!

      ~ Karlene

      Friday, April 15, 2011

      Daniel Sallee

      Friday Fabulous Flyer 

      Good things happen in threes, and this time it's the third generation of flyers. Daniel Sallee was born with the lineage of aviation in his blood. His grandfather, Jack Sallee, would be very proud of the man he's become. I know that his father, Andy Sallee, is too.


      Danielle is just 21-years-old, but you would never guess by his experience. He's currently flying and Embraer 170 for Shuttle America... a Delta Connection and sometimes United Express.

      He started flying for America Shuttle in early 2008, but ended up being furloughed for a year and a half. During that time he flew charters out of Port Angeles in a Cessna 206, and then Chieftains and a Beech 99 for Ameriflight until Shuttle America called him back about a year ago. 

      He currently flies about 60 hours a month and teaches recurrent ground school and captain upgrade classes, too. He's also working on his 4-year degree with Embry Riddle in Aeronautical Science. Daniel has about 3000 hours of flight time. Did I mention he's only 21?

      Daniel and Elisa

      Daniel and his sister have been around planes their entire life. Elisa, now 16, loves planes and plans on taking flying lessons, but Daniel say's she's focused in sports. She's an aviation natural, so I'm sure she'll follow her big brother, dad, and grandfather's path one day. Focus appears to be a central theme in the Sallee family.


      Elisa, Daniel's sister

      I asked Daniel why he wanted to fly. He said...

      "At no point in my life can I remember not wanting to fly. It started from day one, spending time with my dad and grandpa at Sequim Airport, around Coastal and everything. I have always taken any and every opportunity to fly anything. I absolutely love it! I remember watching my dad come home from a week long trip and thinking about how neat it was that he flew a 727 and how much I liked his schedule. One of the most memorable moments of my life was having the opportunity to ride on the one of my dad's flights at DHL right after I got hired here and just before DHL shutdown. Today when I go to fly a 4-day trip, it may seem a bit more routine, but I still absolutely enjoy it! And take any chance I get to fly something new."


      Daniel and Dad, Andy
      Daniel Dreaming and waiting till he can fly

      Daniel's company, Shuttle America, has recently merged with Frontier Airlines which has unfortunately postponed his Captain upgrade, perhaps forever. But he won't let that stop him. He's building hours and keeping options open.

      On the personal side of his life... Daniel is also a newlywed! He got married to Rachel last October.

      Rachel and Daniel in Hong Kong

      Rachel spent the second half of her childhood growing up in Sequim and they knew each other through friends, but not very well until after high school. She attended Washington State University for Mechanical Engineering and then transferred to IUPUI (Purdue's Indianapolis Campus) to complete her degree.

      Her plans are to work for Boeing as an engineer. Daniel tells me that Rachel chose aeronautical engineering but changed to mechanical, because as a mechanical engineer you can also work as an aeronautical engineer, but not the other way around. Interesting... I didn't know that!

      "My wife is a great positive influence in my life and pushes me to accomplish my goals and dreams."

      At 21-years-old, Daniel has a very long career ahead of him, and many airlines to choose from. Timing is everything in this industry. Daniel's timing, combined with passion, effort, and talent, will open many doors for him.


      Enjoy the journey!

      ~ Karlene