Flight To Success: 2016

Catch up on the series so you will be ready!

Flight For Sanity coming February 2017

Motivation and Children too!

Friday, December 30, 2016

Flying Fast and Strong...

Continuing to Soar!

Victoria Neuville jokes that she doesn’t know how to be bored, because she always manages to get herself involved in an interesting project. I first connected with Victoria through her blog and in October 2010 I made her Friday’s Fabulous Flyer. At the time, she was an instrument rated private pilot and had just moved to Frederick, MD unsure of where this new life would take her. Where is she now six years later?

Look At Victoria Now!

A commercial pilot
An aviation insurance agent
A host on a popular aviation podcast
An organizer of multiple events introducing others to aviation
An author of three children’s books
Maintains two successful aviation blogs

And she has no plans of slowing down!

When Victoria landed a job in aviation insurance, she did not expect it to turn into a career. It was just a job that would lead the way to a career flying. However, Victoria quickly discovered that she enjoyed working on the ground chatting with pilots daily and flying for fun whenever she pleased.

“It sounds boring, but it’s a fun challenge finding a competitively priced policy for various aviation operations. I’ve met and spoken with many interesting pilots from all walks of life!” she explained.

Inspiration to Fly

Her career in aircraft insurance encouraged her to continue her aviation goals. She flies the company Cessna 172 on a regular basis and is encouraged to continue her aviation studies. Victoria had taken a break from new ratings after completing her commercial but is now working on her tailwheel endorsement and would like to eventually become a flight instructor.

Stuck Mic AvCast

As Victoria enters her sixth year in the insurance industry, she has just begun her fifth as the only female cohost on the Stuck Mic AvCast, an aviation podcast. Averaging 5,000 downloads an episode, Stuck Mic is available on iTunes and online. Her fellow co-hosts consist of airline pilots, flight instructors and general aviation pilots where each host brings something new and interesting to the discussion. Despite being miles apart, Victoria says the group feels like family and has met pilots all over the world through this podcasting community.

Inspiring Children

Victoria credits the support from her co-workers, co-hosts and podcast listeners for the success of her creative outlet, a children’s book series based on her favorite co-pilot, Turbo. Turbo is a 4-year-old mixed dog and recently logged his 99th hour in his ‘dogbook’. Victoria’s co-author and business owner, Kelly Kennedy, got the idea rolling on the children’s book series. Both woman have always wanted to write children’s books, and finally found their muse in their dogs.

Two years ago, the first book Turbo the Fly Dog, came to life. Turbo the Flying dog follows the real-life story of Turbo’s adoption. Later, Turbo takes the controls in the second installment, Turbo Learns to Fly. His flight instructor is Kelly’s Schnoodle, Olive. She’s having a rough time as a female pilot and through Turbo’s encouragement, her confidence soars. Last month, the duo returned for the third book in the series, Turbo Flies through History. Through an airplane time machine, both dogs discover all the aerial inventions that brought us to where we are today.

Victoria's Greatest Joy

The authors’ greatest joy comes from sharing their passion for aviation and animal rescue with others. They can often be found visiting libraries, bookstores and schools with the dogs. A typical event will include reading the books and hands on activities where children try on headsets and explore sectional charts. Of course, getting to meet the real-life stars of the book is the biggest hit for guests young and old! The authors’ recent event, Paws & Planes: Holiday at the Airport, brought Santa to the Frederick Municipal Airport. Over 300 families enjoyed various educational aviation activities, learning about local pets available for adoption, and giving their Christmas list to Santa Claus!

Whether in the air or on the ground, Victoria’s passion for aviation runs deep. As the year comes to an end, she wishes to get in the air some more and further spread the word about Turbo’s book series.

Her New Year’s Resolution?

To slow down…maybe!

Enjoy the Holidays!

XO Karlene

Author of:

Flight For Sanity coming soon....

Catch up on the series so you will be ready!

Motivation and Children too!

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

When Life Becomes Passion

You've Lived

I'm reading a fabulous book, When Breath Become Air. Dr. Kalanithi faced his mortality and shares his journey of passion to his last breath. He mentioned something in the book about career and passion. He said that the career is chosen for lifestyle... money, work conditions, etc. Passion, however, is a calling despite the condition. Pilots who love their jobs get this. This is a must read for the New Year.

Reading this book will make you reflect on your life, question the meaning of life, and think about life and death. I thought about why I have such a drive for safety, and what would happen if I lost my career. I realized that my love of aviation is more than a career, it's a passion. With this passion comes a gift of striving to give back and leave this industry better than I found it. With this passion, I have faced some daunting challenges. Yet, Dr. Kalanithi put those issues in perspective, too.

Join me in my passion:

My One Wish for Aviation

and check out the updates!

Thank you For Reading

my Books too!

Holiday Blessings!

XO Karlene

Author of:

Catch up on the series so you will be ready!

Flight For Sanity coming February 2017

Motivation and Children too!

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

HOPE

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness"

Desmond Tutu

May You Always Find Light

in Your Darkness

Holiday Blessings!

XO Karlene

Author of:

Catch up on the series so you will be ready!

Flight For Sanity coming February 2017

Motivation and Children too!

Monday, December 26, 2016

I’m In It To Win It

Monday Motivation

"Let me look upon the life

I have led so far with gratitude.

For it has taught me in preparation
- for the life I am about to lead."

~ by Eleesha,
Author of - The Soul Whisperer

Christmas Eve morning I received news that lacked humanity and any sense of compassion, with no concern for a human life, and filled with deception. Instead of allowing that news to steal my holiday joy, I put it on the shelf (with our Elf) and went to my Mom’s for Christmas Eve dinner—to enjoy the holiday. To smile bright, and to share the holiday with those I love.

I had the opportunity to spend Christmas Eve with my husband, mom, dad, and sisters. My eldest daughter and 3 grandkids, brother-in-law, and nieces and nephew were there. We were missing some of the kids because of working and logistics, but they were there in spirit. My mom and dad have been divorced for 45 years.

Together my sisters and realized how short life is, and how full of gratitude we are to have our parents, each other, and our families. The end of a very challenging year was filled with renewed strength and a sense of hope with the love of family. Despite how Christmas Eve morning began, this was my best Christmas ever.

It's not what happens to us in life,

it's how we deal with those events.

Christmas morning I was gifted with the words of wisdom before I went to my eldest daughter’s home for the best Christmas day ever…

Those of us who have received the greatest blessings will also be faced with the greatest burdens. I have been blessed in my life many times over. I have also been faced with many burdens. However, I was reminded on Christmas morning that we face those burdens because we have been blessed with opportunity. Find that opportunity, carry the burden, and this season of challenge shall pass.

If you don’t give up, your time will come.

When faced with the most daunting challenges of life, do not give up. Find strength and courage to know that everything happens for a reason. Your burden may just be your blessing—designed with opportunity. If you are facing challenges of our own, join me in saying, "I'm in it to win it!" Do not give up, as you, too, were blessed with preparation for your incredible future that is just around the corner.

Choose to see the opportunity

in every challenge...

Happy Holidays!

XO Karlene

Author of: