Latinas in Aviation - Oct. 2021

No. 2 / OCT. 2021

Evelyn Miralles The Woman Behind the Spacewalkers BRINGING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION TO LATINA PILOTS Choosing the Right Aviation School for You

LATINASINAVIATION.COM

GETTING STARTED Women achieving dreams outside the comfort zone

The Pilot Dress Code: How Committed Aviators Make an Impression Photo by: Nate Hey

Message from the Publisher I can only call it Magix.

M JACQUELINE S. RUIZ

“

TAKING OFF IS OPTIONAL, BUT LANDING ON YOUR

agix is a special special word I use to describe what happens when an idea meets positivity and blossoms into something amazing, then continues to grow into wonderment beyond one’s wildest dreams. It’s

magic x 10 –MAGIX! And this is the only word I can use to truly describe what happened to Latinas in

Aviation Magazine after its inaugural issue last fall!

The first issue was well received beyond my wildest dreams. Shortly after launching, we had tallied 2,000+ views of the 92-page issue online, and demand was growing for printed versions too! We ended up printing a limited amount of the publications to share with authors, correspondents and a few select outlets in Mexico. But the magix didn’t stop there.

Our publication came to the attention of enthusiastic aviation groups across the world, like the FAA, EAA Women in Aviation, the 99’ers and more. We found support and partnership from companies like Airbus, Volaris, Europa and NASA.

DREAMS IS

And we were pleased and proud to award our first $5,000 scholarship, shortly

MANDATORY.”

professionals from Mexico and Latin America and will be awarded in December

after our launch (see story inside). The next scholarship will be for aviation 2021 in the amount of $2,500 USD. Now, we are excited to be hosting the very first Latinas in Aviation Global Festival on October 2, 2021, in partnership with the College Park Aviation Museum in College Park, Maryland. It will be a chance to introduce pilots who are featured in the Fig Factor Media’s Latinas in Aviation book on the historic Field of Firsts, the site of many inaugural aviation events, along with book signing, mentorship circles, scholarship opportunities, and more. Plus, we will be featured in a museum exhibit, there at the College Park Aviation Museum, and in New York and Texas too! We hope to see you in College Park!

Our first issue led to magix and we hope our second will lead to even more.

As long as this magix continues to empower and elevate the next generation of Latinas in Aviation, we are fulfilling our mission and making aviation a more diverse and inclusive industry for us all!

L A T I N A S I N AV I A T I O N . C O M

Jacqueline Ruiz- Latinas in Aviation Publisher, Founder

Table of Contents

38

24

COVER STORY

Interview with former NASA Chief Engineer - Evelyn Miralles

FEATURED THIS ISSUE

Diversity and Inclusion, the Airbus Way - Susan Breton

30

Choosing the Right Aviation School For Foreign Students - Ana Uribe and Maria Jose Montero

45

Bringing Diversity & Inclusion to Latina Pilots - Claudia Zapata Cardone

6

GETTING OUR WINGS

Living my Passion - Genoveva Leipold de la Lanza

10

Reaching the Stars - Mariana Spangenberg

14

A Family of Pilots - Kristel Acevedo

20

Onward to the American Dream - Camila Turrieta

28

Do You Need to be an Engineer to Work at NASA? - Elizabeth Pane

32 50

Breaking Through the Walls - Maria Fernanda Hernández Beyond Belief: My Trajectory into Aviation - Verónica Teresa Lara Ortuño

54

The Path of the Vision Board - Diana Álvarez del Valle

58

A Pilot Out of Africa - Melany Bastos Salas

64

Home Sweet Home - Érandeni G. Calderón

70

Small Steps to Big Dreams - Carolina Oyarce Vasquez

74

From Aviator to Advocate - Raquel Villagomez

78

Walmart's First in Costa Rica - Marjorie Blanco

4

IN EVERY ISSUE Editor's Note

2

Correspondents

3

Contributors

84

Student Tool Kit Resources and More

87

News and Trends

90

Pilotina Forum

Copyright © 2021 Latinas in Aviation Magazine is published semi-annual on ISSUU by Latinas in Aviation, U.S.A. This is a product of © Fig Factor Media LLC 2021.

All rights reserved. No part of this digital magazine may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage or retrieval systems, or otherwise be copied for public use or private use without written permission of the copyright owner, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

For any request or information please email: info@figfactormedia.com 1 | TABLE OF CONTENTS

MEET OUR CORRESPONDENTS

ELENA ALVAREZ CAMPS

CAPT. JACKIE PULIDO

H

H

who were eager to share their personal and professional

making a difference in aviation.

ello, my fellow Latinas in Aviation, I am Elena Alvarez Camps, the European Correspondent. For this issue,

I reached out to my Airbus network, looking for Latinas experiences with you. It is my pleasure to introduce you to the Business Development Manager, Diana Alvarez Del Valle, the Exhibitions and Air Show Project Manager, Carolina Oyarce Vasquez, both from Airbus; the Quality and Process Engineer at ApWorks, Fernanda Hernández, as well as Mariana Spangenberg, a Radio Navigation Engineer at ESA (European Space Agency).

All of their inspiring stories have three traits in common: their willpower, their resilience, and their passion to succeed in the aviation and aerospace world. They also share a common cause to elevate women in the workplace!

And, because one my passions is to promote Inclusion and Diversity in our workplace, how could I not ask the amazing head of I&D at Airbus, Susan Breton, to share with you how our company, Airbus, is turning the dream of closing the gender gap into reality. She’s not Latina herself, but I guarantee you she has the same fire! Thanks, Susan!

i, fellow Latinas in Aviation, I’m Capt. Jackie Pulido,

the correspondent for Mexico. In this second issue

I share three inspiring stories of amazing women who are

You will meet Capt. Genoveva who flies B737s for a major airline in Mexico. Many years ago, she was featured in an aviation magazine when I was a student pilot. I remember seeing her photo and ripping the page out to remind me that one day I was going to be like her. Today I am proud and blessed to be her friend.

You will read about Veronica Lara, who I had the pleasure of working with at Volaris. She is one of the few A&P (aircraft and powerplant) women mechanics I know, and I must say she does a wonderful job representing us. She is fun, professional, and knows the A320 like the back of her hand.

Last but not least is a profile on Erándeni Calderón, a wonderful woman who has aviation running trough her veins. She is Director of the Aviation Division of the URN University in Chihuahua. She is showing many women a wonderful path into airport administration and many other aviation careers.

Hope you enjoy their stories!

2 | MEET THE CORRESPONDENTS

We’ll also hear from Kristel Acevedo, a young captain in Costa Rica who comes from a family of pilots and Marjorie Blanco, a young woman from a rural area who made personal sacrifices to succeed in aviation as a corporate pilot for Walmart.

And we’ll learn how Elizabeth Pane found her way into NASA by a most unconventional route, simply by following her passions. Like all the women I interviewed, she shows

ANA URIBE RUIZ

that where there’s a will, there’s a way.

H

EDITORIAL:

Women in Aviation (WAI), San Francisco Bay Area Chapter.

Founder and CEO: Jacqueline S. Ruiz and Juan Pablo Ruiz

Recently I had a conversation with several other pilots and

Editor in Chief: Priscilla Alarcon

people in the aerospace industry about how to inspire

Managing Editor: Karen Dix

i everyone, I’m Ana Uribe Ruiz, the correspondent for Central and South America and the Co-President of

the next generation. We were all astonished at how bold and ready for change young people are when it comes to pursuing career opportunities. We also noted how they were one of the first generations to have unprecedented, worldwide access to careers in aviation, even as women.

Melany Bastos Salas is one of these pilots. I met her some time ago in Costa Rica, and now she is flying between villages in Africa. She’ll take us through her transition and along on her journey through the sights and sounds of this lush continent.

Editorial Design: Juan Manuel Serna Rosales Photographer for this cover: Nate Hey

SPECIAL THANKS: Irene Balado, Gabriela Hernández

Franch, Kylie Knur, Ana Uribe Ruiz, Jacqueline Pulido, Maria Elena Alvarez Camps, Evelyn Miralles, Genovena Leipold de la Lanza, Mariana Spangenberg, Kristel Acevedo, Camila Turrieta, Susan Breton, Elizabeth Pane, María Fernanda Hernández, Claudia Zapata Cardone, Verónica Teresa Lara Ortuña, Diana Álvarez del Valle, Melany Bastos Salas, Erándeni G. Calderón, María Jose Montero, Carolina Oyarce Vasquez, Raquel Villagomez, Marjorie Blanco.

3 | MEET THE CORRESPONDENTS

Editors Note Have you ever asked yourself, “Who am I and what do I want in life?”

For some people, this question takes years to answer; for others, it takes no time at all. But for everyone, the question fundamentally unveils our level of self-confidence, as well as our innate ability to trust in ourselves and our unique qualities.

Self-confidence is not just something you are born with; it’s something you build and refine throughout your lifetime by the people who love you. The same people who help you become your best and accept you for who you are and who you are destined to become.

Like many of our authors in this issue, we have all at one point or another asked PRISCILLA ALARCON - Editor in Chief

ourselves, “Am I good enough?” And all too often our answer is plagued by our situational battles with gender, race, nationality, class, and immigration status.

But we must not let that define us or our successes. We need to be our own ally and biggest cheerleader so we can elevate, and most importantly, celebrate each other, instead of tearing each other down or having envidia (envy) for someone who is doing better than us.

Every story in this second edition shows the importance of building selfconfidence in personal and business circumstances. Like a guiding light, selfconfidence has helped our authors reach their wildest dreams and surpass self-doubt, criticism, or judgment.

I would like to encourage you to do a self-inventory of the decisions you´ve made and how they´ve impacted your life’s trajectory. Most importantly, reflect on how your self-confidence has either showed up or not in those decisions. Our authors have shared the adversities they´ve faced and I hope you can draw on their lessons to help you in your own journey. After all, we are always in a position to reinvent ourselves and live out our wildest dreams. Believe in yourself!

I wanted to end by saying thank you for reading our digital magazine, celebrating

KAREN DIX - Managing Editor

these Latinas and following us on Instagram and Facebook. We hope to hear from you with even more comments and requests for what to cover in the next issues, because without you, there is no us.

For the moment, enjoy this second issue of inspiring stories. We have so enjoyed bringing them to you!

Priscilla Alarcon Editor in Chief

4 | EDITOR NOTE

In English & Spanish

Stories of passion, power, and breaking into the aviation industry

WWW.AMAZON.COM/LATINAS-AVIATION-BREAKING-AVIATION-INDUSTRY/DP/1952779227

AVAILABLE ON

LATINASINAVIATION.COM

Living

MY PASSION

By Genoveva Leipold de la Lanza

E

ver since I can remember, airplanes have fascinated me. As a child, I would pretend to fly a plane or a spaceship. I was always the captain on a mission to

explore space, or visit a strange planet or other exotic place.

When I was older, I lived in the United States. On summer breaks, I would return to my homeland and visit my grandparents in Guadalajara, Mexico. I was always very excited that after a whole year I was not only going to see my grandparents, but I would get another chance to fly on an airplane. The engine noise, the takeoff and the turbulence were all extremely exciting.

A Passion Ignited Once as I child, I traveled without my parents and supervised by a flight attendant on an Aeromexico plane. When the captain saw me, he invited me to tour the cockpit. I still remember seeing the buttons, the clocks, and the little lights. It made a very strong impression on me, and to my young mind, it all looked like a fun toy. The captain sat me on his lap, put my hands on the controls, and I fell in love.

EVER SINCE I CAN REMEMBER, AIRPLANES HAVE ALWAYS FASCINATED ME.” 6 | GENOVEVA LEIPOLD DE LA LANZA

A

t that time, the idea of being a woman pilot did not seem to be an option, so I never considered it. Initially, I enrolled in medical

school, but nothing gave me the incredible feeling of being on a plane. The passion I had experienced as a child was gone. After finishing up my studies and getting into a better position to reconsider my choices, I decided to reinvent myself by doing what I wanted most in life… fly a plane.

At that time I had neither job nor money. I was completely alone and didn’t know how I was going to do it. So, I asked God for help. I prayed, asking him to get me into an airline in Mexico if I was destined to become a pilot. If so, I promised to give it my very best effort to succeed.

AT THAT TIME, THE IDEA OF BEING A WOMAN PILOT DID NOT SEEM TO BE AN OPTION, SO I NEVER CONSIDERED IT.”

Keeping the Flame Alive It was not easy to make my flight training a reality. I had to sell everything I owned. I worked and covered the rest of the costs with a loan.

It was the late ‘90s, and woman pilots were almost unheard of at that time. Men would come out to watch me do the external check of the Cessna. I would tell them that they there was nothing to see, that I was just a pilot doing my work, and I would ask them to go away.

Many people told me that aviation did not provide a good work environment for a woman and instead I should try to get a husband to take care of me. Some people went as far as to ignore me. There were times my instructor wouldn’t show. But there were also some instructors and individuals who encouraged me and wouldn’t let me give up.

SO, I ASKED GOD FOR HELP.” 7 | GENOVEVA LEIPOLD DE LA LANZA

O

n August 11, 1999, I earned my Commercial Pilot License. I immediately joined the pilot’s union and requested a letter so I could be hired by the

airlines.

It was at that time that I met Capt. Bertha Zerón Nava, the first woman to become an ATP (airline transport pilot) in Mexico. When I was invited to apply to the airlines, I stayed at her place, and she helped me prepare for the tests that were to come. I knew the competition was stiff; there were typically at least 100 pilots vying for 40 positions at the airlines. High test scores and a great interview were a must!

WE PILOTS ARE PART OF A GREATER FAMILY UNITED IN THE BLESSING THAT FLIGHT IS FOOD FOR OUR HEART AND SOUL.” One day, as we were taking a study break, she said to me with a lot of feeling, “You have to do this for me too, because they would not allow me to apply, even though I had my ATP.” That motivated me to keep going.

After the rigorous written and simulator tests and interviews, I was accepted for the initial training for the Metro Fairchild III/23 in September 1999. The training was very challenging, and when I passed, the instructor told me that he only passed me because he took pity on me. If I did not pass the next training, he was going to fire me. That was almost 22 years ago.

8 | GENOVEVA LEIPOLD DE LA LANZA

Burning Brightly I have flown the SAAB 340-B, ERJ 145LR, LU, MP, ER on the regional lines. The last couple months as captain of the ERJ145, I was also the crew instructor.

On December 4, 2006, I joined Aeronaves de Mexico as the First Officer of the 737NG. On February 2, 2014, I started my training to become the First Officer of the B777-200. In August 15, 2015, I had the honor to be part of the first all-woman crew in Latin America to complete transpacific flight from Tijuana, Mexico to Shanghai, China.

In January 5, 2018, I ascended to Commander of the B737NG700-800 and B737-800MAX. Now, I find myself preparing for new experiences in the area of gender equity by supporting Capt. Martha Araujo in her vision.

In my 22 years as a pilot, I can say that it has been a ride full of challenges, both bad (9/11, H1N1, Covid-19, economic recessions, etc.) but most of them filled with joy, professional growth, and satisfaction. We pilots are part of a greater family united in the blessing that flight is food for our heart and soul. If I were born again and had to start life all over, I would become a pilot once more.

Genoveva Leipold de Lanza is Captain of the B737 for one of the major airlines in Mexico.

IF I WERE BORN AGAIN AND HAD TO START LIFE ALL OVER, I WOULD BECOME A PILOT ONCE MORE.”

Sinópsis: Genoveva Leipold de la Lanza nació en Guadalajara, México, y luego se trasladó a los Estados Unidos. Obtuvo su licencia de piloto comercial en 1999. Voló SAAB 340-B, ERJ 145LR, LU, MP, ER en aerolíneas regionales y el ERJ145 como capitán.

En 2006 trabajó en Aeronaves de México como copiloto de un 737NG y en 2015 se unió a la aventura del primer vuelo transatlántico de un B777-200 con tripulación únicamente femenina. En 2008 ascendió a comandante de B737NG700-800 y B737-800MAX.

9 | GENOVEVA LEIPOLD DE LA LANZA

REACHING THE STARS

By Mariana Spangenberg

L

ike any adventure in a life that deserves to be lived, my journey to the aerospace world was neither straightforward nor without obstacles. However, it

was so rewarding that when I look back, I would not change a single decision I made along the way. From leaving my mother country, Argentina, and traveling to France, with a detour to the Netherlands, my professional and cultural challenges have been many, but all absolutely worthwhile.

Eyes to the Skies Some of the first English words I learned in school were “astronaut” and “flying saucer,” and ever since then I have unconsciously had my eyes set on the sky. Fast forward years later, when I was about to start the last year of my master’s program in telecommunications engineering at the Buenos Aires University in Argentina. I decided, together with a university friend, to add a “twist” to our lives and complete our degrees at our university’s collaborative school in France. The multicultural experience was amazing. It was then, while doing my final research project on Galileo signals processing, that I got to know aerospace. I went on to earn my PhD in Hybrid GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and sensor fusion positioning techniques, financed by a big aerospace industrial player in collaboration with several universities in Toulouse, France. Then, I reached a rather critical moment in my life. I needed to look for my first “real job.”

10 | MARIANA SPANGENBERG

I

currently work with the ESA (European Space Agency) as a Ranging and Integrity Monitoring Stations Engineer.

I feel so grateful for this opportunity, not only because

of what it means to my professional career, but also for providing the opportunity to work in a stimulating environment where I share coffee breaks with colleagues who are either developing advanced techniques for reducing space debris, or researching optimal ways for landing on Mars.

I’m more of a “feet on the ground” person, specializing in the on-ground processing and monitoring of radio navigation satellite signals. I currently work on the EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System) project. The system augments GPS by proving accurate and integer orbital corrections by satellite to mainly support aeronautical users. In my previous assignment I gave support to the Galileo system.

It’s the European global navigation satellite system which complements and is fully compatible with GPS.

BUT THOSE EXAMPLES ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE RARE WITH TIME, AS SOCIETY’S MINDSET IS FAST EVOLVING ON THESE “GENDER EQUALITY” TOPICS.”

A Woman in Aerospace Initially, many doors were closed to me because I was not European. Those times were not easy, but when you have clear goals in mind, perseverance is the key. My initial mindset was to enter a big multinational company. At the time I believed that such a work environment was synonymous with success and professional status. However, I ended up working as the third employee in a very small start-up company. What a priceless, unforeseen surprise!

The project dealt with building a low-cost “mobile mapping” device in a “Google street view” fashion. Conceiving something from “scratch” within a fully motivated team, and acting as a unit with a common goal, was an experience I would recommend to anyone during their professional career. However, all good stories must end, and after five years, I decided it was time to turn the page.

11 | MARIANA SPANGENBERG

I

n the meantime, after several years of living in France and working at a stable job, I had managed to obtain my French citizenship. Then, when the opportunity

to work at ESA became a reality, I didn’t think twice. It was almost a dream come true for me.

I set about juggling a personal life in France as I lived and worked during the week at ESTEC (ESA’s technical site in the Netherlands). I was now fully immersed in the GNSS world thanks to Europe’s pioneer project on this domain: Galileo. I had the chance to support the testing of some satellites in the “clean room,” and I never stopped being amazed in the presence of a satellite that would be launched several thousands of kilometers into the sky to orbit for more than a decade. After four years, I was reassigned to my current position in EGNOS at ESA’s Toulouse office, and it is from here I am happily telling you my story now.

IF YOU ARE PASSIONATE, RESPONSIBLE, AND COMMITTED TO YOUR WORK, YOU TOO WILL BE ABLE TO REACH THE STARS.”

Following Dreams Being a female in the aerospace world is far from the status quo. There were many times I felt I needed to put forth special effort to demonstrate that I was capable and deserving of the responsibilities given to me. But those examples are becoming more and more rare with time, as society’s mindset is fast evolving on gender equality. I like to think we women in aerospace are contributing to it with our hard work and example.

My advice to young ladies wishing to enter the aerospace world is this: dare to follow your dreams, do not give up, and trust in your capabilities. This is such an exciting domain! If you are passionate, responsible, and committed to your work, you too will be able to reach the stars.

Mariana Spangenberg works at ESA (European Space Agency), as a Ranging and Integrity Monitoring Stations Engineer.

12 | MARIANA SPANGENBERG

Sinópsis: Mariana Spangenberg nació en Argentina, donde estudió Ingeniería en Telecomunicaciones en la Universidad de Buenos Aires. Y decidió completar sus estudios en una Universidad de Francia.

Obtuvo su doctorado en Sistemas Satelitales de Navegación Global Híbridos y técnicas de posicionamiento por fusión de sensor gracias a una beca otorgada por la industria y las universidades de Toulouse, Francia.

Actualmente trabaja en la Agencia Espacial Europea (ESA) como Ingeniera de Estaciones de Monitoreo de Rango e Integridad, como parte del proyecto EGNOS (Sistema europeo de navegación por complemento geoestacionario).

13 | MARIANA SPANGENBERG

A FAMILY

of Pilots An interview with Kristel Acevedo

By Ana Uribe-Ruiz

W

hen I have the rare opportunity to sit down with someone from a family of pilots, it’s often the son who followed in their father’s footsteps.

When it’s the daughter instead, I find that really exciting.

That’s the case of Kristel Acevedo, daughter of Capt.

Alfredo Acevedo, who flew with Lacsa for more than forty years and was the check airman for the DC-8, the 727, and later, for the Airbus. He is known by his colleagues as “El

Maestro” (the teacher), a nickname given to him by one of his best friends and captains, Luis Fernando Bruno. To this day, people still call him by that nickname.

His daughter, Kristel, is a dynamic young lady that loves the adrenaline rush she gets every time she is in the air. She finds it the best way to focus on the moment, get the plane off the ground, and travel from one place to another. She says the view from the flight deck is always breathtaking

You were born into an aviation family with a father who has been recognized as one of the best pilots in Costa Rica. Tell me about that.

and unique. It doesn’t matter if she has flown to the same

It was fun. We grew up watching my dad put on his

destination the day or week before; the flight is always

uniform, fly us to many places, and also be incredibly

different. The natural beauty of the sunrises and sunsets,

happy in the air. I spent countless hours on the flight

the different terrains, from the mountains, deserts, and

deck with him. I have always enjoyed being there and the

greens of the jungle to the ocean shores…it never gets old.

adrenaline rush I get while flying.

BE READY, STUDY HARD, AND ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS.”

14 | KRISTEL ACEVEDO

When you finished high school, how did you tell your mom that you wanted to become a pilot, especially when your older brother was already part of the industry?

I think they really understood my passion for aviation, and I was lucky to have my brother as my wingman. Having three pilots in the family was kind of unusual, but they knew I was ready to become one. Both my parents have been incredibly supportive of me, as well as my sister, who happens to be a private pilot but never had the desired to go my route. Yes, we are a family of four pilots!

When did you start flying?

When I was 18 years old. All my training was done at the local school and the local airport called Pavas. When I was done training, I started working with Nature Air, a local airline that serves lots of destinations on the west coast (Pacific Ocean) and east coast (Caribbean side) of Costa Rica.

In Central America, the tourism industry moves according to the vacation cycle of the U.S., with lots of travelers in the summer months, and very few during the winter. The company used to furlough the pilots during the low season, and that was difficult. During those months, pilots like me would try to find other options, like flying for smaller “air taxi” companies. After I was furloughed for the third time, I decided I was done. It was time to look for something more stable. I needed a change.

Did you start looking for a new airline?

Yes. I applied to many places and ended up flying with Avianca. My brother, Karl, was part of Sansa, where I went to get my written exam. He died in an airplane accident in the late nineties. His love of flying is still alive, even though he is gone. His wings are still with us, and he flies with me.

I WOULD TELL HER IF AVIATION IS YOUR DREAM, GO FOR IT.”

15 | KRISTEL ACEVEDO

When did you decide to make a change to Volaris? It is a Mexican company, right?

Not really. We have the same name, but it is called Volaris Costa Rica, and the personnel are all from Costa Rica. I would call us an independent hub. I applied there as soon as they opened an office in 2017. I am part of the first group they hired.

MAINTAIN YOUR PLACE.” I hear congratulations are in order! You are a Captain now!

Yes, thank you. How do you know?

The aviation world in Costa Rica, as well as around the U.S., especially for women, is still small. Pilots tend to know other pilots, but in my case, my husband’s older neighbor used to fly with Volaris Costa Rica, Captain Luis Fernando Bruno. He was extremely excited to share your accomplishment with me. He recognizes that there are only a small number of women pilots and that I would appreciate hearing about another one take the Captain’s seat.

My research tells me that there are only four women captains at Volaris Costa Rica. Wow, you are an inspiration!

It is a small hub, not like in Mexico, so it’s an unusual situation. We’re still proud that there are four of us.

IT IS STILL A DIFFICULT PLACE FOR WOMEN TO WORK, BUT YOU NEED TO STAY UP-TODATE AND MOTIVATED.” 16 | KRISTEL ACEVEDO

If a young lady interested in aviation should come to you for advice, what would you tell her?

I would tell her if aviation is your dream, go for it. Be ready, study hard, and ask a lot of questions. It is still a difficult place for women to work, but you need to stay up-to-date and motivated. Maintain your place. It’s hard and takes a

I ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT TOMORROW YOU MAY BE SITTING ON THE FLIGHT DECK NEXT TO ME.”

lot of effort, but you will do great. I always remember that tomorrow you may be sitting on the flight deck next to me.

And I will be the first one to welcome you to the wonderful world of aviation and give you a hand when you need one.

Besides aviation, any hobbies?

Anything outside. I love the outdoors. Hiking (or rucking as is called today), swimming, and music. I am also learning to play the drums.

Please invite me when you give your first concert up in the mountains of Costa Rica. I would love to see that.

Pura Vida!

Sinópsis: Kristel Acevedo nació en Costa Rica y creció acompañando a su padre piloto en la cabina.

Sus hermanos también se dedican a la aviación. Se formó a los 18 años en el aeropuerto local de Pavas y comenzó a trabajar para Nature Air de Costa Rica. Luego, trabajó para Avianca y luego, en 2017, comenzó a volar con Volaris Costa Rica, donde solo hay cuatro pilotos mujeres. Ama el aire libre, hacer caminatas, nadar y escuchar música. Actualmente está aprendiendo a tocar la batería.

17 | KRISTEL ACEVEDO

Women in Aviation International San Francisco-Bay Area Chapter

PROVIDING 48 YEARS OF QUALITY FLIGHT INSTRUCTION AND AIRCRAFT RENTAL IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA AT PALO ALTO AND SAN CARLOS AIRPORTS. “For your flight training and flying adventures, we have 40+ instructors and provide a diverse fleet of 50+ single-engine aircraft: Cessna, Cirrus, Diamond, Piper, and Tailwheel.”

ABOUT US Women in Aviation International-San Francisco Bay Area Chapter are here to inspire,conduct education outreach to area youth, networking and mentoring a new generation into the aviation and aerospace industry. Our chapter provides assistance towards scholarships resources by our local members.

Whether your goal is to learn to fly or you’re already an accomplished pilot, become a member of our club and make all your dreams of flight a reality.

WWW.WVFC.ORG @waisanfrancisco

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@WSfbayarea

wai.sfba@gmail.com

WWW.WAISFBAYAREA.ORG

NEVER BE LIMITED BY OTHER PEOPLE´S LIMITED IMAGINATIONS” Dr. Mar Jemison

20 | CAPT. VIRIDIANA RAMIREZ

Volume IX

Today’s Inspired Latina™ is an award-winning book series of inspiration and hope, a poignant collection of personal stories that will activate your passion. These are success stories that need to be told, to motivate our community for generations to come. By overcoming language barriers, self-doubts and other obstacles in their way, these strong Latinas are a great example of how inspiration and perseverance can lead you to happiness and success in business and life. It’s a positive, empowering read for anyone sitting on a dream and thinking it can’t come true. Today’s Inspired Latina™ shows that it can!

www.TODAYSLATINA.com https://www.amazon.com/Todays-Inspired-Latina-IX

AVAILABLE ON

ONWARD

to the American Dream

By Camila Turrieta

T

o me, the American dream is defined as the epitome of success for those escaping harsh living conditions in their country of origin to seek better

opportunities in work and life. The path is rarely easy or without sacrifices, especially when your decision separates you from loved ones and all you’ve ever known.

I was born in Santiago, Chile. During the early nineties, my country was emerging from a dictatorship and was regaining its place in the world as a newly-formed democracy. My grandmother, Belgica, encouraged my

Overcoming the Obstacles

family to leave the country to secure a better future and seek the American dream. As my mother and I boarded the aircraft for New York City in December 1997, a flight attendant noticed that I had been crying and asked if I would like to visit the cabina de pilotos. I didn’t know what that was, yet I said yes. As we walked through the door, I saw buttons, gauges, lights, and people called pilots. After a brief tour, I became enamored with the idea of becoming a pilot and knew that it was what I wanted to do when I grew up.

We settled into our new lives in the United States and my parents enrolled me in public school. On my first day of second grade, my mother took me to school on a bicycle.

I remember the crisp air hitting my face as we rode the thirteen blocks. At the second-grade classroom door, my mom knelt, looked me in the eyes and said there was only one English word I needed to remember: “bathroom.” With a warm kiss and hug, she handed me over to my teacher.

While in school, I was often pulled out of my classroom for English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction. I slowly learned how to read and write in English, aided by visits to the local library on Saturdays, where I borrowed aviation books and translated them with a portable electronic

LOOK FOR WAYS TO SURMOUNT STRUGGLES.” 20 | CAMILA TURRIETA

translator.

M

y passion for aviation grew stronger, and when I became a teenager, I started taking flying lessons. Then I enrolled in my high school’s

aviation program, which was thrilling. I was determined to achieve the goal of becoming a pilot–just like I had promised myself on that first flight to America.

Unfortunately, due to my family’s immigration status, I had to put my flying aspirations on hold as I was entering my senior year of high school. I realized that while I had barriers to becoming a pilot that others might not, I would just have to find ways around my obstacles and create strategies to overcome issues in order to attain my dream. So when I could not secure loans and government assistance to cover any portion of my college and flight school costs, I helped my parents offset tuition by working as a cashier at a local supermarket, cleaning houses, and waitressing at a local restaurant.

During my sophomore year in college, my family received a letter from immigration saying we were subject to deportation proceedings, which mandated bi-weekly meetings with an immigration judge to work through the process. This was a very trying time in my life, made even more difficult by the fact that my grandmother passed away and we were unable to attend her funeral in Chile.

I know my grandmother would have been proud that I achieved the American dream and attained my lifelong goal of becoming a professional airline pilot. I wasn’t able to take the traditional path to get through school and training, yet I have since learned that my circuitous path is probably more common than some may think. The same things that kept me forging ahead back then still sustain me today-a strong support system of family, friends, teachers, neighbors, and peers.

21 | CAMILA TURRIETA

The ALPA Impact

W

hen I was hired by JetBlue Airways in 2017, I joined the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) and participated in

the JetBlue pilots’ first picket for a fair contract. There I connected with many fellow union members and was drawn to their enthusiasm for pilot advocacy. It was natural for me to continue volunteering for the union, so I joined the JetBlue pilots’ Professional Standards committee.

Later I also volunteered with the Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP) and the Pilot Peer Support (PPS) initiative, where I assisted fellow pilots in dealing with personal matters.

BUILD A SUPPORT SYSTEM THAT LIFTS YOU WHEN YOU ARE DOWN.”

I was appointed to chair the ALPA President’s Committee for Diversity & Inclusion (PCDI) in 2020, which has given me the ability to connect with the union’s 59,000 members across the U.S. and Canada. In this role I share my passions and experiences as I advocate and leverage the perspectives, ideas, and talents of others. As a committee, we encourage members to bring their authentic selves to work and feel empowered. It’s very gratifying work and I have been honored to participate in national and international initiatives that drive meaningful change across the aviation industry.

I believe the piloting profession is one of the most rewarding and amazing careers one can pursue. Being a pilot is a gift that I do not take for granted. When I look back at what my family and I have had to overcome, I think about the individuals who helped us when we didn’t have anything-particularly my mentor, who is no longer with us, Francine Davis.

22 | CAMILA TURRIETA

A

s you pursue your aviation dream, my message to all of you facing hardships is to never give up. Look for ways to surmount struggles. Build

a support system that lifts you when you are down. We can all become professionals and achieve positive social change, and it begins with never taking no for an answer.

All you have to do is stay true to your dreams, find solutions to challenges, and keep moving onward.

First Officer Camila Turrieta (she,her,ella) is Chair of

the Presidentʼs Committee for Diversity and Inclusion at the Air Line Pilots Association, Intʼl (ALPA).

I REALIZED THAT WHILE I HAD BARRIERS TO BECOMING A PILOT THAT OTHERS MIGHT NOT, I WOULD JUST HAVE TO FIND WAYS AROUND MY OBSTACLES AND CREATE STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME ISSUES IN ORDER TO ATTAIN MY DREAM.”

Sinópsis: Camila Turrieta nació en Santiago, Chile. Comenzó a tomar clases de vuelo cuando era adolescente y luego inició la carrera de aviación, que tuvo que interrumpir temporariamente por falta de recursos. Cuando comenzó a trabajar para JetBlue Airways en 2017, se unió a la Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA). Formó parte del Comité de Estándares Profesionales de pilotos de JetBlue y trabajó como voluntaria para el programa Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP) y la iniciativa Pilot Peer Support (PPS). Fue designada presidente del Comité del Presidente para la Diversidad y la Inclusión (PCDI) de ALPA en 2020.

23 | CAMILA TURRIETA

DIVERSITY and inclusion, the Airbus way

By Susan Breton

I

nclusion and diversity are two words that have been around for some time, but they are defined differently, depending on who you ask. For some people, inclusion

and diversity focuses on a particular, visible diversity dimension (e.g. gender race or ethnicity) and for others, it is about having a greater mix of these diversity dimensions.

Also, diversity is often more easily defined than inclusion, but I like to look at it this way: diversity is who we are; inclusion is where the action starts!

DIVERSITY HELPS US FOSTER INNOVATION, COLLECTIVE PERFORMANCE, AND ENGAGEMENT.” My experience with inclusion and diversity as an employee with Airbus begins with my personal story and exposure to the industry. As a young person growing up in Kenya, I never thought much about aerospace. To me, the word meant “airplanes” and nothing more. I attended college, majored in international relations, and studied political science. I went on to earn two master’s degrees in business before joining Airbus in early 2003. From then on, my journey within Airbus has been a very fulfilling one because of the opportunities for growth and development they offer, as well as their corporate culture; they nurture a sense of belonging for their employees. In a sense, I am “diverse” in more ways than I can say because of my culture, background, gender, experience, education, and so much more.

24 | SUSAN BRETON

The Importance of Diversity

A

s a global, multicultural company, diversity is in our DNA at Airbus. Every day, our people express their unique voices and draw from their rich

experiences to bring fresh ideas to our company. We are convinced that diversity helps us foster innovation, collective performance, and engagement. We succeed by harnessing everyone’s unique potential while ensuring an inclusive workplace. That’s why Airbus is committed to fostering inclusion and diversity in the workplace.

An inclusive and diverse workforce makes a company unique, contributes to better problem solving, and provides a competitive advantage. It is important to note that by “inclusive,” we at Airbus mean an environment where every voice is valued and heard, with people from diverse backgrounds who are learning from each other’s knowledge and experiences.

At Airbus, diversity is part of our identity. We have European roots, but a global footprint and we’re passionate about our achievements around the world. More than 135 nationalities are represented in our workforce and more than 20 languages are spoken within the company.

DIVERSITY IS WHO WE ARE; INCLUSION IS WHERE THE ACTION STARTS!”

Any company that strives to ensure inclusion and diversity will embed it into all business purposes so that it benefits employees worldwide. At Airbus, we have full support of the entire leadership starting from the top executives, to our HR and other business functions. Our I&D (Inclusion and Diversity) initiatives are run and coordinated by a dedicated team of experts worldwide. Our efforts are also supported by several volunteer employee resource groups such as our Balance for Business network, which brings together employees to improve gender balance.

Companies wishing to boost diversity need to increase their talent pipeline from underrepresented groups in its workforce, including, but not limited to women, nationalities, certain age groups, people with disabilities, social backgrounds, LGBT+ etc., to ensure a broader range of candidates for open positions. Meritocracy still continues to be the hallmark of our assessment of potential candidates at Airbus, with a firm focus on increasing all types of diversity within the company.

25 | SUSAN BRETON

Women Rising

I

f we look at gender, which is a key focus area for us, Airbus is actively invested in ensuring greater gender balance across top leadership positions through

the promotion of women in management and senior management positions. Employees in these positions form the pipeline for our executive level positions across the company.

I AM “DIVERSE” IN MORE WAYS THAN I CAN SAY, BECAUSE OF MY CULTURE, BACKGROUND, GENDER, EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, AND SO MUCH MORE.”

Any company can strengthen their pipeline of rising executives by increasing the number of women participating in any talent or leadership development programs which prepare them to pass assessments or earn credentials that are necessary for promotion.

However, it’s clear that companies will not reach greater gender balance by relying on an internal pipeline alone.

Companies must also employ external recruitment and development, with a retention strategy, if necessary. Airbus collaborates with academia and STEM outreach, as well as womens’ associations to pique member interest in aeronautical industry careers. For example, both locally and internationally, Airbus works with Women in Aviation (WAI) and International Aviation Women’s Association (IAWA).

In 2018, as a tangible sign of their commitment to advancing women in the workplace, Airbus signed an agreement supporting the United Nation’s Women’s Empowerment Principles. The agreement offers guidance to businesses on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace, and community with equal pay as a key measure of success.

26 | SUSAN BRETON

Geographic Diversity

F

or companies looking to expand their internationalization of profiles, Airbus offers an example of a powerful recruiting tool with their

International Graduate Programme. The initiative facilitates the attraction of talents from around the world to Airbus’ traditional home countries (France, Germany, Spain, UK).

Over a two-year period, individuals from around the world are able to work on their development at one of the Airbus sites, and possibly move from other regions to Airbus European headquarters.

I’m proud to work for a company that recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion. I think we offer an example to others that want to attract global talent and reap the innovation and high-performance that inevitably comes from an inclusive and diverse workforce.

I would like to encourage all our leading ladies interested in the aviation sector, to apply for the many open positions via our career page https://www.airbus.com/careers.html We look forward to having you on board.

Susan Breton is the Global Head of Inclusion &

Diversity and Inclusion at Airbus.

AIRBUS COLLABORATES WITH WOMENS’ ASSOCIATIONS TO INCREASE THEIR INTEREST IN AERONAUTICAL INDUSTRY CAREERS.”

Sinópsis: Susan Breton creció en Kenia donde estudió Ciencias Políticas y Administración. En 2003 comenzó a trabajar en Airbus, una empresa particularmente comprometida con la diversidad como modo de promover la innovación, el desempeño y el compromiso colectivo en un entorno donde todos son valorados y escuchados. Airbus trabaja a nivel nacional e internacional con asociaciones como Women in Aviation (WAI) y la Asociación Internacional de Mujeres de la Aviación (IAWA). También cuenta con un Programa de Graduados Internacionales que facilita el reclutamiento de talentos de los países que son sede de Airbus (Francia, Alemania, España y el Reino Unido).

27 | SUSAN BRETON

Do You Need to be an Engineer to Work in NASA? An Interview with Elizabeth Pane

By Correspondent Ana Uribe Ruiz

E

lizabeth Pane describes herself as a “melting pot,” with a mixed heritage of Mexican, Portuguese, and a bit of Native American. She attended an all-women’s

high school in Willow Glen, California, which cultivated her passion to reach her childhood dream since she was five

ranking of the best schools for aerospace engineering in the

It’s interesting that you attended an allwomen high school. Those seem to be disappearing these days, except for boarding schools.

U.S. The program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Attending Presentation High School was an enriching

years old—to work for NASA. A trip to the high school counselor’s office changed everything. Right on the table was a book which showed a

in Daytona Beach, Florida was ranked number one, and Elizabeth decided she wanted to go there.

and uplifting experience. I was fully supported spiritually, academically, and personally throughout my four years there and received an intentionally tailored college preparatory experience. The goal is to graduate women of action who are driven by self-confidence, intellectual curiosity, spiritual growth and a deep sense of community.

Because of this, I felt confident to pursue any university and any major.

HAVE AN IDEA OF THAT YOU WANT TO DO OR WORK ON AND GO FROM THERE.”

28 | ELIZABETH PANE

When it was time to select a college, how did you make a decision?

In the counselor’s office they showed me available schools based on my career choice--I wanted to become an aerospace engineer. I also wanted to attend one of the top colleges in the country with that program, so I researched Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida. I found out that I could play tennis there, which was important to me because I wanted to be a student-athlete as well; I started playing tennis when I was five years old.

I applied and was accepted to Embry-Riddle, but I deferred my entrance for a year so I could explore my options and complete some general education courses while staying closer to home. I applied and was denied acceptance at CalPoly (California Polytechnic State University), another great college with an incredible engineering program. So I decided to enroll nearby at Cuesta community college in San Luis Obispo, California for a year. It was a good way to find out if the school and area were a good fit for me; many of the professors at Cuesta also taught at CalPoly. I realized that living in a smaller town was not really suited for me and my personality, so I entered Embry-Riddle the next year.

Tell us about your college experience.

I attended Embry-Riddle University for one year, and while it was an amazing school with an aeronautical and aerospace emphasis, it was not the right fit for me. I ended up changing my major to aerospace studies, but something was still missing. I ended up transferring to the University of California-Davis and graduated with a degree in communication. UC-Davis was an excellent fit for me both academically and athletically, as they offer exceptional education and NCAA Division 1 athletics.

Writing came easily to me and I enjoyed it. My professors also seemed to be impressed, so I decided to combine my interest in aerospace and my communication skills.

I wondered if I could become a project manager and work with the Public Affairs Office at NASA. The idea of managing a technical team and then explaining their projects to the public and NASA management sounded like an interesting opportunity to me. It would be wonderful to manage the behind the scenes and advocate for the team responsible for the project.

29 | ELIZABETH PANE

Interesting, since your focus from the beginning was aerospace engineering. Tell me how you got to be part of NASA. I made a cold call to the Public Affairs Office at NASA Ames, in Mountain View, California after graduating from UC-Davis. I told the person there that it had been my dream to work at NASA since I was five years old, and about my visits to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama since then. I asked if I could shadow someone in the Public Affairs Office and to my surprise, they said yes! They were filming a MythBusters episode at the time, so it was really fun. They also informed me about an internship opening, and I applied for it that night. Later, they called me and offered me a part-time position as a contract specialist.

Six months later, they offered me a full-time civil servant

I imagine you see lots of different projects at NASA. Tell me about them.

position as a Contracting Officer. I stayed in that position

I was a Contracting Officer from 2007-14. In 2014, I

for seven years.

pursued a detail assignment as a project manager for the International Space Station (ISS) bioscience experiments.

Even though I did not have a science or engineering degree, they entrusted me to lead teams of scientists, engineers, and logistics experts that were sending our experiments, called payloads, into space. I trusted and

MY JOB WOULD BE EXPLAINING THE TECHNICAL PART OF WHAT THEY DID TO NASA MANAGEMENT.”

respected the abilities of the experts I worked with, and I learned a lot along the way. I really enjoy joining my team members in their labs and workspaces, learning details about their contributions.

Today I work many different projects in two different roles.

One of my roles is the Project Manager for Microbial Tracking-3. I’m in charge of a team that sends special wipes to the ISS to collect samples from specific onboard surfaces. Astronauts collect samples with the wipes, store them at 4 C to preserve them, and then they are returned to Earth. Scientists are then able to securely collect data to identify the microbes aboard the station, determine how they got there, and make sure they do not affect the crew.

30 | ELIZABETH PANE

My work is interesting because I facilitate and manage the flow of information among the scientists and engineers, and I consolidate their findings to make sure we have everything we need to move forward on the project. Each team works in their own way--the scientist is looking into their findings and the engineers are looking into how the data is collected and presented to ensure the science is maintained properly within the hardware. I have to keep open communication between them so each group can work both independently and synergistically. I also gather information from both sides to communicate effectively to upper management.

What advice do you have for young people who aspire to work at NASA? I encourage students to look into the Pathways program.

This is one of the main ways NASA finds interns and entry-level talent. Also, I would tell them to reach out to teachers and counselors for help because they might know someone who supports NASA’s mission and can offer tailored guidance.

For those who have graduated, I would recommend searching USAjobs.gov to see if any NASA centers have openings in your area of expertise. Set up alerts so you know when a job is posted. Also, look for job openings with NASA contractors; these private companies help the agency accomplish certain goals. As a contractor, you would be working alongside NASA employees and are just as important to the mission.

In short, have an idea of what you want to do or work on and go from there. Find out as much as possible about open positions and have your resume ready. Follow your dreams and surround yourself with supportive people who will always be positive and encourage you to keep going.

Reach out to organizations who make a positive impression on you, ask what opportunities are available, and ask if you can shadow someone for a day.

Sinópsis: Elizabeth Pane tiene raíces mexicanas, portuguesas y de los pueblos nativos de los Estados Unidos. Creció en Willow Glen, California. Asistió a un colegio secundario solo para chicas llamado Presentation High Shool. Estudió un año ingeniería en San Luis Obispo, California, luego cambió a Ingeniería Aeroespacial en la Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University de Daytona Beach, Florida. Hasta que descubrió que su pasión estaba en la University of California-Davis, donde obtuvo su título en Comunicaciones.

Persiguió su sueño de trabajar en la NASA haciendo llamados que la condujeron a convertirse en Oficial de Contrataciones. En 2014 obtuvo un puesto de gerente de proyectos de la International Space Station (ISS). Actualmente se desempeña como Gerente de Proyectos de Microbial Tracking-3. Su otra gran pasión es el tenis, el cual juega desde los 5 años.

31 | ELIZABETH PANE

Breaking Through

THE WALLS

By María Fernanda Hernández

M

y story is like many others-- a brave, goodhearted girl in an eternal search, driven by a restless and questioning personality, creating

theories about everything and full of curiosity. I had the urge to fly and see new horizons and break through the walls that held me back, just as I think you do.

I was raised by a single mother in a Mexican town called Queretaro. We earned a modest living making handicrafts, but my mother taught me that it doesn’t matter how much you have, it’s how you use it that matters.

I BROKE MY WALL OF ANXIETY INTO SMALLER, MANAGEABLE GOALS.”

Lessons for the Future The first important decision I made in my life was to become a good student. I skipped past my first year of school, made the honor roll, and earned scholarships. In secondary school, I trained as an archer and competed nationally. This has been by far one of my most valuable experiences in my life because not only did I learn archery, but also how to coordinate my emotions, mind, and body.

This made me a confident teenager and young woman, and still helps me today.

It is frightening how the system pushes 15-year-old teenagers to decide what to do for the rest of their lives when many do not even know how to do their own laundry.

I knew that the only way to help my mom and sister was to keep on studying, no matter how much money we made.

32 | MARÍA FERNANDA HERNÁNDEZ

I also knew I wanted to become a scientist or a pilot, so I applied to a program at the Universidad Aeronáutica en Querétaro because it mixed airplanes and science. I only applied there, to save application costs. I studied for the entrance exam for months and I sat the exam with at least two thousand other applicants, most of them men. I was excited when the school interviewed me, then accepted me into the aeronautical engineering program!

I RECOMMEND THAT YOU TRUST THAT YOU ARE VALUABLE, BRAVE, AND BRILLIANT AND SURROUND YOURSELF WITH OTHER WARM-HEARTED WOMEN.”

Staying the Course However, I was shocked by the disproportionate number of women in the class. On the first day there were only six women out of 80 students. By graduation, there were only two women out of a class of 26.

My first semester was also challenging. Even though I had been at the top of my class in high school, I failed some exams, including math. I could not bear the fact that I, the student who won math medals in the past, did not pass the first and therefore most basic exam for engineering. I cried for days and started to attribute all my success up to then to good luck. Even my mom, in her pain to see me struggling, asked me to consider leaving the program while there was still time.

I am proud to say that I did not give up. I locked myself in my room for weeks and studied like heck. I realized I actually did know all the answers; it was just my first struggle with anxiety. After that bitter episode, I did better in my classes. I also decided I did not want anyone else to have to struggle like I did so I returned to my high school and taught math as a volunteer, and then as a side job. I encouraged the students to keep studying and showed them there is always a way to succeed.

33 | MARÍA FERNANDA HERNÁNDEZ

A Dream Becomes a Plan

A

fter graduation, I got a job at Airbus Mexico. For a few months, I was sent to Germany to learn about the production lines and quality control, and when

I was sent back to Mexico, I knew I wanted to return to Germany someday. So I saved almost my entire income for more than a year and decided to study abroad, not only for the cultural benefits but also because it was cheaper than pursuing a master’s degree in Latin America.

My dream became my plan, but there were risks I had to consider. What if I didn’t feel like I belonged in another country? What if I couldn’t pay my rent? What if I missed my family, wanted to come back, and it was all a big waste of time? Then, just before resigning from Airbus Mexico, I became very anxious. I couldn’t sleep for weeks. Many nights I woke my mom up and had her drive me to the hospital because I thought I was having a heart attack.

Finally, I decided I needed to break through the walls of anxiety that were holding me back. And to do that, I needed to do two things.

First, I sought professional help for my GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and improved my exercise and nutrition.

My family was used to psychiatrists because my sister was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teenager. When I see how she copes every day, I am encouraged to put my mental health first. I wanted to be mentally strong and healthy for the future.

Second, I broke my wall of anxiety into smaller, manageable goals. I spent a month in a European camp as part of an international volunteer program. I worked with a group of strangers and these new, charming pals broke through my first wall. I did my second international stint as an Au Pair with a family in a small village in Austria. I learned German, reviewed study plans, prepared my applications and eventually, was admitted to a university in Austria where I received my master’s degree.

In Austria, doors opened for me. I blossomed professionally and enjoyed the freedom of finally being able to do what I wanted. I studied hard, completed projects, worked late, trained, met friends, and called my family in Mexico. I was able to relax and finally enjoy the process, rather than the prize at the end of the track. Every day was exquisite.

After graduating with my master’s degree, I moved to Munich and started another adventure working as Quality Manager in Apworks, a company that designs and manufactures metallic parts by additive manufacturing.

34 | MARÍA FERNANDA HERNÁNDEZ

Believing is Everything

F

inding success doesn’t have to be difficult. Your challenges and skills might be completely different from mine, but I recommend that you trust that you

are valuable, brave, and brilliant and surround yourself with other warm-hearted women. When you feel down, they will help you remember how wonderful you are. If you invite kind feelings and thoughts, you will act accordingly.

The first step is to believe that things are possible and the second is to act.

For those Latinas out there waiting to start their careers, or asking themselves how to do it, I have the following thoughts.

•

•

Stay curious. I have always been genuinely curious about the production process. You cannot create good solutions without knowing the workflow of the product.

Study it, from drawing to packing. Learn the basics of how to read drawings and specifications, ask the experts, and have some patience.

Enjoy the journey. Remember what psychologist Carl Rogers said: “The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.” We cannot always get what we want but we choose the direction.

The decision of the next step is always up to us and therefore, we can decide to experience the process and live it, or just let it happen.

Many incredible women in aviation have stood up against the system to help ease my way and yours. It is our duty to support each other and empower upcoming generations to increase the number of women in leadership roles. The

THE FIRST STEP IS TO BELIEVE THAT THINGS ARE POSSIBLE AND THE SECOND IS TO ACT.”

world needs a more creative, compassionate, and flexible mindset to operate at its best and that is where we come in. We can break down the walls that hold us back and achieve everything we want to achieve.

María Fernanda Hernández is a Quality & Process Engineer at Apworks GmbH.

Sinópsis: María Fernanda Hernández nació en Querétaro, México. Compitió a nivel nacional como arquera, deporte que le otorgó una gran habilidad en la coordinación de las emociones, la mente y el cuerpo. Estudió Ingeniería Aeronáutica en la Universidad de Querétaro. Luego de graduarse obtuvo un puesto en Airbus México. Fue cumpliendo pequeños objetivos hasta llegar a Austria, donde obtuvo un título de segundo grado universitario. Se mudó a Múnich para desempeñarse como Ingeniera de Calidad y Procesos de Apworks GmbH.

35 | MARÍA FERNANDA HERNÁNDEZ

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AN INTERVIEW WITH

EVELYN Miralles

By Priscilla Alarcon

I

was so delighted to sit down recently with Evelyn Rodriguez Miralles for Latinas in Aviation. Evelyn

is a Venezuelan-American computer scientist that

served as the Chief Engineer at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston. Her work from NASA’s virtual reality laboratory has been integral to the enhancement of human spaceflight exploration training, which prepares U.S. and International astronauts to perform one of the most dangerous excursions of their lives-- spacewalking and working outside a spacecraft in micro-gravity.

Evelyn has earned many recognitions, especially for pioneering virtual reality (VR) technologies and co-writing the state-of-the-art flight software, Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG) to prepare astronauts for

Photo taken by Nate Hey at University of Houston Clear Lake

every Space Shuttle and International Space Station mission since 2000. She is currently serving as the Associate Vice President for the University of Houston Clear Lake, where she is involved in many initiatives impacting higher education and work force development, while encouraging young students and women to succeed

NEVER GIVE UP, BE CONSISTENT, AND EDUCATE YOURSELF.”

in STEM fields.

Evelyn, welcome. Would you please share a little about yourself, and what led you to pursue a career in computer engineering?

Ever since I was a young girl I have been fascinated with architecture and drawing 3D spaces. I was also very artistic and inclined to think in three dimensions. As I grew older, I began working more closely with computers. It was in

38 | EVELYN MIRALLES

the ‘90s, when Macintosh and Apple computers were still primitive, but I was able to program simple coding to build some square-like geometrical figures. When I entered college, I realized that´s what I really enjoyed the most— programming, coding, decoding, data, and creating 3D objects, so I decided to follow a career in computer science.

Not only are you a former NASA Chief Engineer, but the co-author of the Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG) and the creator and designer of Engineering DOUG Graphics for Exploration Software (EDGE). I read in an article that co-writing DOUG had a tremendous impact on you.

Where did the inspiration come from?

We were focused on solving a unique problem and needed to develop a software that would run multiple operating systems, that was also portable and could be sent on a mission to space. Writing DOUG software was very complex; it had to support virtual reality technology using innovative integration protocols with the hardware. This process required the same visual, artistic, 3D thinking that I enjoyed in my youth. It was exciting to build a system that

Photo taken by Nate Hey at NASA Space Center Houston

would train astronauts for space exploration, on the Space Station and the Space Shuttle vehicle, while pushing the envelope creatively.

Throughout your career you’ve helped multiple astronauts perform the most dangerous task in the world--spacewalking.

Have you ever done it yourself? Do you see yourself ever doing it?

Obviously I’ve done it virtually many times, but I never saw myself doing it physically. If I ever travel into space for a day or two, that would be fantastic, but doing a job outside a space vehicle is extremely dangerous and physical exhausting, so I don’t know if I would have the stamina. But I would love to see the Earth from space, for sure.

THE BEST LEADERS LISTEN AND LEARN FROM OTHERS.” 39 | EVELYN MIRALLES

Most space expeditions have been performed by men. Will there be more women in the future?

In the beginning. NASA hired military men pilots to be astronauts. There were very few women. Our involvement grew with the Shuttle program. We hired the first group of women astronauts and they did a great job, but there were many constraints with spacewalk suit sizes, etc. The first pair of women spacewalked recently, and Peggy Whitson and Sunita Williams are spacewalking veterans. If women want to spacewalk, they can do it.

NASA supports diversity and they’ve done a great job promoting it in the last 20+ years, but it all starts in high school. If fewer high school girls are pursuing STEM careers in college, NASA has a smaller pool to pick from. The bigger the pool of qualified women graduates, especially Hispanic women or women of color, then the greater the pool NASA and other industries will have to select from.

Tell us about being the lead innovator and only woman in a virtual reality lab team.

How did you keep your team motivated despite conflicts and obstacles?

It was very challenging, but extremely rewarding, and I grew

It wasn’t difficult for me because of my team’s enthusiasm

exponentially in my skills. The team required objective,

for the mission. We were willing to collaborate and find

dynamic, communication so I think being a woman actually

solutions. Every time there were issues and obstacles,

helped us to succeed. I think they appreciated my direct

we are able to go back, review, and talk through the

approach and my individual skills as an engineer and

process. I had the good fortune to work with mature, skilled

computer scientist. I think we all learned together, and that

professionals who helped us all be the best we could be.

was the beauty of having a diverse group.

I THINK WE ALL LEARNED TOGETHER, AND THAT WAS THE BEAUTY OF HAVING A DIVERSE GROUP.”

40 | EVELYN MIRALLES

How do you keep up with trends in your line of work, especially with technology changing and evolving so quickly?

When I started working at NASA, the internet was in its infancy and technology was very difficult to access. I researched by reading and attended many virtual classes in different topics related to the technology. Then research papers and conferences became more available over time.

With the proliferation of social media, everybody began to have more access to content, and I kept up with trends through my relationships with great professionals from the industry as well.

Did you have any influential women role models to follow in your early days? Was it harder to find them as you moved up the ladder?

I never really had a woman role model at all. I was just myself. I thought that it was up to me to learn about certain

STAY OPEN TO THE POSSIBILITIES!”

technology and what I could do with it. But I saw every woman as a role model, especially those who knew more another. When I was given greater responsibility and a higher

How have you gained respect and held a leadership position in a male- dominated field?

position, I saw fewer women in leadership in decision-making

I always worked hard and put in the time to do my job well,

than me. Everyone I have met has inspired me in one way or

jobs and wondered, why is that? It gave me the opportunity to learn more about my options and challenges.

not because I was a female, but because I enjoyed it and I was effective. I had to know my content, present it well, confidently answer any questions, and solve issues. So people requested my opinion. I tried to inspire both women and men to share what they knew. Many people think that leaders have all the answers, but that is not true. We don’t. The best leaders listen and learn from others. That generates respect.

What sacrifices have you made to get to where you are now?

My job at NASA required long days, and many, many nights working into the evening hours, solving difficult problems that were not addressed, or so completely unique that their solutions started from scratch. Another challenge was leaving my home country, Venezuela, at a young age, and moving to the U.S., but I didn’t see it as a sacrifice after all; it was an exciting opportunity to do something new and travel. A challenge, indeed!

41 | EVELYN MIRALLES

You knew from an early age what you wanted to do. What advice do you have for young people trying to find their passion/ career in a STEM field?

I did find my passion early, but in my first year of college I So the key for young people is to try new things and do an

o

ate

Ph ot

discovered other areas that aligned with my original passion.

n ke ta

N by

ter Houston ace Cen A Sp S A tN ya He

internal assessment of what you like and dislike. Then, stay open to those fields you dislike because rarely does one field of study have all the things that you want to do. For example, you might think you don’t like programing, but if you like physics, you might end up having to program sometimes.

Stay open to the possibilities!

I encourage interested students to get involved with different STEM organizations, read about careers, and search. Many women get discouraged because the working environment in science and tech isn’t always welcoming to them like it is for other careers. But, I believe that you can still be feminine, beautiful, and communicative even as you are doing development work in engineering, for example. You don’t have to fit the stereotype of being a ‘nerd.’ The industry can also make changes to encourage women into higher leadership positions and this in turn can attract more women to STEM academic programs.

WE WERE FOCUSED ON SOLVING A UNIQUE PROBLEM AND NEEDED TO DEVELOP A SOFTWARE THAT WOULD RUN MULTIPLE OPERATING SYSTEMS, THAT WAS ALSO PORTABLE AND COULD BE SENT ON A MISSION TO SPACE.”

42 | EVELYN MIRALLES

What has been a pivotal moment as a Latina woman in your career and why?

I think it may have been the moment I realized I was the only Hispanic woman doing what I did at NASA – directly helping training astronauts using virtual technology. I didn’t realize it until I was there for several years, and then I began to talk about it to inspire others. Another pivotal moment was when I realized I was an inspiration not only to women but to many men in the field. I am very appreciative and grateful for that opportunity.

Yet another pivotal moment was when I decided to leave NASA for academia, and I became the Associate Vice

Photo taken by Nate Hey at NASA Space Center Houston

President for Strategic Information Initiatives and Technology at the University of Houston Clear Lake. That was very challenging because it was a completely new field, like a new canvas, where I had to reinvent what it meant to be an engineer and apply it to my administrative leadership position so I could impact students in different ways. It has been a fabulous opportunity and an incredible challenge.

For the future Latinas in aviation out there, is there any wisdom or advice you’d like to share?

Never give up, be consistent, and educate yourself. Those

What have been some of your greatest challenges and what have you learned from them?

are the three things I tell every young professional and

I would have to say that the biggest challenge is dealing

your values.

with people, and accepting that we all fail at work sometimes. But, I firmly believe that having failures makes us stronger because it gives us the opportunity to perfect what we attempted. I view failures as a momentary thing, as something that has to happen. Then I ask, how can I overcome it and move forward?

Latina. Invest in developing your skills. Find out what you can do and what you like best, and occasionally take a break from what you are doing to realign your work with

These days I try to open the path for other Latinas by being present in conversations about them, and mentoring. Being featured in this type of magazine, sharing stories, and giving my perspective about my experiences can advance people’s ideas of what Latinas can achieve.

I would like to see women become more assertive, accept challenges, and step forward instead of waiting for other people to take the lead. I would like to see more Latinas and women in general become leaders in their own spaces.

Who or what inspires you now?

There are people in academia who inspire me now and people at NASA who have inspired me in the past, but it’s not about the person; it’s about what they are doing and how they are making an impact from what they do.

Photo taken by Nate Hey 43 | EVELYN MIRALLES

What’s next for you in your career?

I

have had a 27-year career at NASA and two years in higher education. It

has been a fascinating experience! I don’t know what’s next for me, but I was led by my passion to this point in my life. My intuition will guide me to the next chapter and another opportunity to make a new

Photo taken by Nate Hey at NASA Space Center Houston

impactful contribution to the world.

Sinópsis: Evelyn Rodriguez Miralles es una ingeniera informática de origen venezolanoestadounidense que se desempeña como Jefa de Ingenieros en el Johnson Space Center de la NASA con sede en Houston. Su trabajo dentro del Laboratorio de Realidad Virtual de la NASA es esencial para mejorar los Viajes de Exploración Humana al Espacio, que capacita a los astronautas para las caminatas espaciales y trabajar en el exterior de las naves en un entorno de microgravedad.

Miralles ha recibido múltiples reconocimientos, especialmente como pionera de las tecnologías ViR y como coautora del software de vanguardia DOUG (Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics).

Actualmente, Miralles se desempeña como vicepresidente asociada del comité de Iniciativas de Información Estratégica y Tecnología de la University of Houston Clear Lake, donde también da clases alentando a jóvenes estudiantes, especialmente a las mujeres, a elegir una disciplina del campo STEM (Ciencias, Tecnología, Ingeniería y Matemáticas).

44 | EVELYN MIRALLES

BRINGING

Diversity & Inclusion to Latina Pilots

By Claudia Zapata Cardone

I

n the past few years, we have been hearing about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the United States workforce. Many companies have been investing in

their company structure to include DEI initiatives, but what does this mean for the airline industry? And what does it mean for aspiring Latina pilots?

First, let’s define what DEI means, and more importantly,

Equity and Equality

what it doesn’t mean. Everyone is born with certain characteristics that cannot be changed, such as our race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, age, and national origin.

Throughout our lives we will have life experiences that will help us further define our diversity characteristics such as military/veteran service, religion, marital status, citizenship status, medical status, and family make-up, just to name a few. When we speak to the “Diversity of individuals,” we consider all these different multi-faceted dimensions, not just an individual’s gender or race.

Many people use the term equity and equality interchangeably, but they are two very distinct terms that encompass different outcomes.

The Milken School of Public Health at George Washington University has a great definition of both equity and equality which states:

While the terms equity and equality may sound similar, the implementation of one versus the other can lead to dramatically different outcomes for marginalized people.

Equality means each individual or group of people is given

EMPOWERING LATINAS TO PURSUE AVIATION CREATES A BETTER ENVIRONMENT TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR SOCIETY’S ADVANCEMENT.”

the same resources or opportunities.

Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.

45 | CLAUDIA ZAPATA CARDONE

The following illustration from a nonprofit organization and smart growth solution called Sustain Charlotte beautifully explains this concept:

SOURCE: https://www.sustaincharlotte.org/august_bike_update

I

nclusion is the innate sense of belonging and knowing that despite our differences everyone will be treated with the dignity and respect that we as fellow

human beings deserve. Only then can we thrive in our environment.

The Aviate Academy What does this mean for our Latina Aviatrixes? I am thrilled that I work for an airline that is committed to changing the demographics of our flight decks to better reflect our society.

So, are we there yet? Absolutely not! However, the shifting

United Airlines purchased a flight school and rebranded it as

demographics within the United States dictate that we

the United Aviate Academy. They have worked diligently to

as individuals and companies must find ways to become

create the Aviate Program, with a goal to train 5,000 pilots,

a truly inclusive society that allows individuals to thrive,

with at least 50 percent of their accepted students to be

especially in their careers.

women and persons of color.

Working together, United Airlines and JP Morgan Chase are committed to removing one of the biggest barriers that keep marginalized groups out of the flight decks: the cost of training. The Latino Pilots Association (LPA) was one of several organizations chosen to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to students that were accepted into the Aviate program in 2021 alone. Seven or eight students who have passed the rigorous cognitive, situational awareness, and leadership tests required for acceptance will receive full scholarships covering private pilot instruction through certified flight instructor training. These students will also be offered conditional employment at United Airlines contingent upon their completion of certain requirements which include:

46 | CLAUDIA ZAPATA CARDONE

•

Obtaining an unrestricted Airport Transport Pilot License (ATP) and 1,500 hours of flight time through flight instruction and other flight time building jobs

•

Accumulating a minimum of 2,000 hours as a First Officer at one of United’s regional express carriers after achieving the unrestricted ATP rating. This hour requirement is reduced to 1,500 hours if the pilot upgrades to captain at their respective regional.

•

Earning a bachelor’s degree

A

ccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the year 2020, only five percent of persons that identify as Hispanic/Latinx are pilots, but we make

up 18.5 percent of the population, with a projected growth of 30 percent by 2050. We need more Latinas in the flight decks of our airlines.

If you are considering becoming a pilot but have been hesitant because of financial constraints, please visit https://unitedaviate.com and apply to the Aviate Academy.

This program is open to those aspiring pilots who have no hours, as well as those who have their private pilot certificate and no other ratings. If you would like to apply for the scholarships that are offered through the LPA, you must apply through the United Aviate site above, and become a member of the LPA. Our membership fees are $49 per year.

WHEN LATINAS BAND TOGETHER TO ELEVATE EACH OTHER, WE ELEVATE THE ENTIRE LATINX COMMUNITY. WE OPEN DOORS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO CAREERS THAT APPEAR UNATTAINABLE. IF YOU CAN SEE IT, YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT.” 45 | ANA URIBE-RUIZ

LPA’s Efforts

M

any Latinas recognize how difficult it is to feel included in the aviation industry and how little support is available to address our needs. In the

last issue I announced that LPA planned to create a femalefocused mentorship program. Today, this initiative is being led beautifully by Raquel Villagomez, Director of ELLAS (Empowering Latina Leaders Aviators Subcommittee) Eagles chapter and a graduating senior of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Raquel began a collegiate chapter of ELLAS at Embry Riddle and has agreed to become the national director of ELLAS after graduation. You can read more of Raquel’s story elsewhere in this issue.

It is also an honor to introduce Camila Turrieta, the first Latina Chair of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Committee. The President’s Committee for Diversity and Inclusion was created after the ALPA president, Captain Joe DePete, attended a Women in Aviation conference and took the time to listen to women pilots describe the barriers they face as professional pilots. Realizing that the issues mostly affect marginalized communities, he handpicked Camila to lead this initiative to make our union more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. You can also read more from Camila in this issue.

Empowering Latinas to pursue aviation creates a better environment to contribute to our society’s advancement.

When Latinas band together to elevate each other, we elevate the entire Latinx community. We open doors and opportunities to careers that appear unattainable. If you can see it, you can achieve it.

Claudia Zapata- Cardone is the Executive Officer of Community Relations for the LPA (Latino Pilot Association), a committee member with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) President´s Committee for Diversity and Inclusion, as well as Captain of Airbus A320 for United Airlines.

WE NEED MORE LATINAS IN THE FLIGHT DECKS OF OUR AIRLINES.”

Sinópsis: Claudia Zapata Cardone es capitana de Airbus A320 para American Airlines. También es directora ejecutiva de Relaciones Comunitarias de la Latino Pilot Association (LPA) y es miembro del Comité del Presidente para la Diversidad y la Inclusión de la Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). Desde hace muchos años Claudia está comprometida con empoderar a las latinas para que se animen a soñar con una carrera en la industria de la aviación.

Considera que una de las barreras para los grupos marginalizados es el costo de la capacitación; por ello, trabaja arduamente desde estas diferentes asociaciones para facilitar el acceso a través de becas.

48 | CLAUDIA ZAPATA CARDONE

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47 | ANA URIBE-RUIZ

BEYOND BELIEFS: My Trajectory into Aviation

By Verónica Teresa Lara Ortuño

I

remember being up on the roof of my childhood home, eyes to the skies, watching the planes flying

The Lure of Aviation

through the air, either ascending from or coming into

a landing at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM). I was the youngest of eight siblings in my home, and I used to spend lots of time on the roof, watching the planes, and counting the minutes between the takeoffs and landings.

I’d also note the types of planes I saw, and the differences between them to see if I could determine their size and model. After a while, my mother would come up and scold me for disappearing for so long. I’d go back inside, but eagerly await the next time I could go “plane spotting.”

In college, I began pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology at the Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

However, I was still extremely interested in aviation. For three semesters I told myself that aviation was an area dedicated to men and not right for me. (We make a very big mistake when we are the first to sabotage our dreams and ourselves.) Then one day I decided I needed to follow my heart. I changed my course of study from biology to aviation. With the impetuousness and conviction of my 19 years, I decided to examine what I could do in the industry.

I never saw myself working at a desk; I wanted to work in direct contact with airplanes. I was eager to discover the wonder of why such a large and heavy machine could lift, support, and land so perfectly every time. Then, while working part-time in an artist supply store, I learned about the role of professional technicians in aircraft electronics and communications. I enrolled in a program to learn more.

I was one of only two women who graduated, and one of the top three students in the class. I obtained the Type II maintenance license, which qualified me to work on electronic areas of the aircraft. Years later, I took another course and obtained the Type I license to qualify me for the mechanical parts of aircraft as well.

“THEN ONE DAY I DECIDED I NEEDED TO FOLLOW MY HEART.” 50 | VERÓNICA TERESA LARA ORTUÑO

T

o graduate, I completed my internship requirement in the helicopter group called the “Condores,” of the then S.S.P. (Ministry of Public Security in México).

After fixing helicopters, I had the opportunity to take them for test flights. I decided I wanted to dedicate myself to the rotary wing area, but I didn’t think Mexicana de Aviación would hire me because I didn’t know anyone in the industry.

But fate had something very good in store for me.

Bound for the Airlines In 1996, out of nowhere, some classmates asked me to come with them to submit their job application at the same place I was doing my internship Mexicana. There, I decided to practice airframe mechanics daily for eight more months, working nearly full-time to complete my unpaid internship. Meanwhile, I kept working part-time at the art supply store to pay for my expenses. By 1997, I was fortunate to be officially hired to work on the last two DC-10 aircrafts that belonged to the Mexicana fleet that would later be reconfigured for Laker and Sun Country Airlines. At that time, only four women worked there among approximately 800 technicians on the maintenance staff.

During my first nine years there, I worked in the “radio workshop,” repairing everything from microphones to more complex computers. I became a repair specialist in charge of the test bench, voice recordings, and data recorders. Later, to learn more about the systems of the aircraft beyond the components, I jumped to the overhaul avionics area, where in addition to providing corrective and preventive maintenance, I participated in large projects of electrical and electronic installations for the updating and optimization of navigation and communications systems.

I served B717, 727, 737, 757 and 767 aircraft in addition to the F100 and Airbus A320 family, as well as A330.

One of the greatest satisfactions I had with Mexicana was being part of the team that configurated the B757 N762MX which was used to transport Pope John Paul II from the Mexico City airport to San Luis Missouri in 1999.

The aircraft was guarded by the army, with authorized access only. During my last two years at the airline, before its unfortunate bankruptcy in 2010, I worked the night shift on call-- an assignment for experienced technicians because it is like working the emergency room of the airport for planes with impending departures and arrivals.

The aircraft came and went quickly and our team had to efficiently diagnose the problem, make the repair, and test the solution so the aircraft could resume operation with as little downtime as possible.

In March 2011, the doors were opened to me at Volaris, where, to date, I am fortunate and proud to be part of the group of women who represent three percent of maintenance personnel.

51 | VERÓNICA TERESA LARA ORTUÑO

Conquering the Obstacles

H

onestly, I have never been denied an opportunity because I was a woman, but in my almost 25 years, I have faced three major obstacles.

The first one was my own learned prejudices. I originally gave into society’s notion that women couldn’t be technicians. I also wrongly assumed that because I did not know anyone in the industry, all doors would be closed to me.

The second obstacle I occasionally face is the challenge that comes when a task requires physical strength that I do not have. In those cases, I have to find solutions to solve or compensate for my shortcomings.

Finally, I have had to earn the respect of my colleagues in an environment that is “rough” in many ways. But now at the age of 47, in a time of uncertainty in aviation and commercial flight, I have the challenge to continue growing both personally and professionally. I hope to start a business of my own as I continue the process of obtaining my FAA license.

To the new generations of women who wish to dedicate themselves to aeronautical maintenance, I can tell you to look beyond your own imposed limits. Never stop learning and preparing, even in some alternative area, because opportunities present themselves when one least expects them.

Veronica Lara is an A&P (Aircraft and Powerplant) woman mechanic who knows the A320 like the back of her hand.

Sinópsis: Verónica Teresa Lara Ortuño nació en México. Su pasión por la aviación la llevó a capacitarse como técnica en electrónica y comunicaciones de aeronaves. Obtuvo su licencia de mantenimiento Tipo II y luego una licencia Tipo I como técnica mecánica. Para completar su capacitación, hizo una pasantía con el grupo Cóndores del Ministerio de Seguridad Pública.

En 1997 se unió a Mexicana de Aviación, donde adquirió una gran experiencia en el taller de mantenimiento de radios para luego trabajar en grandes instalaciones eléctricas y electrónicas. Desde 2011 trabaja en Volaris como mecánica de Aeronaves y Plantas Eléctricas de A320.

52 | VERÓNICA TERESA LARA ORTUÑO

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The Path of the Vision Board

By Diana Álvarez del Valle

H

ave you ever wondered what it would be like to see the world through someone else’s eyes? How the colors look to her? How she perceives the

green of the trees, or the blue of the ocean? What it means to her to fly high, or to reach her goals? I do. Especially on the first day of every year.

Not because there is anything mystical about this date, but simply because I have a small ritual. Every year on January 1, I take magazines, blank paper, and a pen and I begin to sketch what my year will look like. I draw segments and add to each segment what I want to achieve that year. My “vision board” (mapa de los sueños in Spanish) outlines my roadmap for the next 365 days.

I HOPE THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF WOMEN IN AVIATION FEEL EMPOWERED, FEARLESS, AND READY TO WORK IN OUR INDUSTRY, FOLLOWING THE MANY ROLE MODELS WE HAVE IN IT.”

For example, I remember placing a picture of Marienplatz, a famous site in Munich, and a fake student ID, photoshopped, with my picture on it. I clearly wanted to go to Germany and pursue a master’s degree program there.

I wondered what it felt like to be standing in that square, in front of the church on a sunny, spring day.

54 | DIANA ÁLVAREZ DEL VALLE

Manifesting Life

M

y vision board is a step towards wanting something, and believing it´s truly possibly to attain it. Its what I call “manifestation,” or

transforming desires into reality. It works with the law of attraction. I placed my “vision board” in my room, so that every day when I woke up it was the first thing I saw. Not so long after having those images in front of me every morning, I found myself studying in Munich, standing in front of the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady). It felt preordained, accomplished and satisfying.

But this manifestation is not a magical formula to make your dreams come true. You can’t draw, cut, and paste images and two days later, your life will change. That’s not how it works. Vison boarding is about taking steps and acting with your objectives in mind, to stay focused on the things you want to achieve. Then, every action you take will drive you closer to reaching them. I could mention all the paperwork and extra hours I worked to finally reach Germany, but for that I would need another issue of this magazine!

Life in Munich IT’S THE SMALL ACTIONS YOU TAKE THAT SHAPE YOUR BIGGER DREAM AND BRING YOU CLOSER TO ACHIEVING IT.”

I studied business administration at Universidad de Antioquia, in Medellin, Colombia (my home country) and started my European journey in 2013 in Munich, Germany.

I studied at the Technische Universität München and searched for a part-time job, like the majority of the other students there. I was lucky enough to find a student job within Airbus Defence and Space. I was working in the Academy of the Marketing and Sales Department where I met wonderful people in a great international and open environment.

Once again that year, my vision board included a picture of the Airbus logo because I was so happy there, I didn’t want to leave. Unfortunately, because of the industry, my qualifications, and the shrinking job market and openings at Airbus, I was unable to find a position there after

TUM School of Management

graduation.

55 | DIANA ÁLVAREZ DEL VALLE

H

owever, just because you can’t take the road you imagined does not mean it was a bad road! That year, Airbus launched its “International Graduate

Programme” and among thousands of applicants, I was selected to become part of the first generation of the program. The program allows you to make several rotations in different Airbus’ sites, divisions and countries in order to gain valuable experience while performing diverse jobs.

VISON BOARDING IS ABOUT TAKING STEPS AND ACTING WITH YOUR OBJECTIVES IN MIND, TO STAY FOCUSED ON THE THINGS YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE.”

ie

n

Jea

n-

M

ar

qa Co

alph dR

rom Airbus He S e tz , f l i co

pte rs

Marignane, France has been my home ever since. At the moment, I work in business development of Airbus Helicopters in a very international environment with wonderful colleagues. I am the youngest of my team, which allows me to learn a lot from my more-experienced colleagues. Additionally, I am part of the Balance for Business network which is a company initiative of volunteers to support women within Airbus in their professional development. I have visited my high school in Colombia with an initiative called “Speeches at School” where we motivate girls into choosing STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), or simply to fall in love with aviation, if they choose another type of study, as I did. This path has led me to meet strong, and very compassionate leaders (both, men and women), with different perspectives and life stories.

56 | DIANA ÁLVAREZ DEL VALLE

Believing Every Year I firmly believe that you have to take action in order to accomplish your dreams; they don’t come true by imagining them or simply visualizing them every day. It’s the small actions you take that shape your bigger dream and bring you closer to achieving it. I hope the future generations of women in aviation feel empowered, fearless, and ready to work in our industry, following the many role models we have in it. I advise you to surround yourself with people who believe in you, support you, and see the potential you have.

On the first day of every year, I continue to draw, cut, and paste the images I hope will manifest my wishes and desires within the next 365 days. I am grateful to all the people I have met along my professional and personal path who have encouraged me through the ups and downs of my career, and more importantly, who have supported my decisions so I could become who I am today.

You canʼt draw, cut, and paste images and two days later, your life will change.

Diana Álvarez del Valle is a Business Development Manager at Airbus

3dwarehouse.sketchup.com

Sinópsis: Diana Álvarez del Valle estudió Administración de Negocios en la Universidad de Antioquia, en Medellín, Colombia -su país de origen-. En 2013 se trasladó a Múnich, Alemania, para estudiar en la Technische Universität München, mientras trabajaba en la división de Defensa y Espacio de Airbus, en la Academia del Departamento de Marketing y Ventas.

Actualmente reside en Marignane, Francia, donde se desempeña como Gerente de Desarrollo Comercial de Airbus Helicopters. También forma parte de la red Balance for Business y da charlas sobre la importancia de las carreras STEM.

57 | DIANA ÁLVAREZ DEL VALLE

A Pilot Out of Africa

An interview with Melany Bastos Salas

By Ana Uribe-Ruiz

A

frica and its beauty. We have all heard of “bush” pilots who explore the continent’s immense splendor, contrast, and different ways of life.

Africa is a place of civil war, tragic deaths, and now hope, emerging from a new generation. The devastation of the Ebola virus and AIDs epidemics erased thousands and left the survivors orphaned. Now, the new generation is rising to help these children as best they can. Very few people have had the opportunity to be a firsthand witness to this evolution, but this is the life of Melany Bastos Salas, a young pilot from Costa Rica. She is currently a First Officer at Airtec in Bangui, Central African Republic.

It must be so exciting to work and fly in Africa, especially since they don’t have many real airports.

It has been a great way to grow not only as a pilot but also in an emotional and humanitarian way. I am incredibly happy that I said yes to the opportunity, even though at the beginning I was telling myself “Africa…am I crazy? Is this the right thing?”

We fly to small cities in faraway places where delivering goods is a nightmare by land because there are no direct routes. We must learn to land in short, dirt runways. Only the big city airports have paved airstrips. We also deal with instability and unrest in certain surrounding countries and large cities where we fly. For deliveries to reach some small

IT TAKES TIME AND DEDICATION TO BECOME A PILOT, AND IF YOU HAVE IT IN YOU, IT’S THE BEST FEELING EVER TO CONQUER THE SKY.” 58 | MELANY BASTOS SALAS

towns, it may take days to get there. Sometimes rebels get access to the delivery. Everything is lost in the process and people end up without what they need. It’s safer and faster to deliver things by air.

Do you work for an American company or African company?

Airtec is an African company based out of Johannesburg, South Africa. They have charter companies around the world, so they own planes and lease them to others.

Here in Africa, the majority of aircraft are leased to NGOs (non-governmental organizations). We are contracted for a certain time period, like a year or six months. You work for three months, then have a month and a half off. During work periods we sometimes fly for four days a week and are on call the other three, but that can change too. It works great!

I have been able to explore other places in my free time and also return to Costa Rica to visit family and friends.

What impresses you the most about the cities you visit and their people?

I’m struck by their humble surroundings and it makes me realize how little you need to actually be happy. They live in very rural areas in small houses made of dirt and straw, which stay cool in hot weather and warm in the cooler months. I realize that we live very selfishly; they are so happy with amazingly simple things. I was in a small town and while waiting to see some people, I was playing ball with a group of kids. And then I realized the ball was handmade from some tape and paper. Where we come

IMAGINE ASKING FOR THE SHORTEST AND CHEAPEST DISCOVERY FLIGHT AVAILABLE AND HAVING IT OPEN YOU UP TO THE POSSIBILITIES WITHIN THE WORLD OF AVIATION.”

from, everyone has a rubber ball at home! It’s amazing how you can do so much with so little.

59 | MELANY BASTOS SALAS

Tell me a bit about your journey into the aviation world.

My mom used to take me to the airport when I was little, and since then, aviation has been on my mind. When I was done with school, I wanted to become a pilot but I was a little afraid to tell my mom. She told me that I was a crazy, and the profession was inappropriate for a young lady.

Still, she encouraged me to get a discovery flight to see if I’d like it. I sure did! It was the best 15 minutes of my life!

Imagine asking for the shortest and cheapest discovery flight available and having it open you up to the possibilities within the world of aviation. Yes, I wanted to be a pilot!

When was that?

It was 2014. Then after my first taste of flight, I went to the local flying club and registered for classes. I went on to earn all my licenses – private pilot, instrument, commercial, and multi-engine. I started in a class of 15 students with only three women, and I was the only woman who finished the full training. It takes time and dedication to become a pilot, and if you have it in you, it’s the best feeling ever to conquer the sky. There’s nothing better than being in the air!

THERE’S NOTHING BETTER THAN BEING IN THE AIR!”

Your first aviation job was with Skywest. Tell me about them.

Airtec has charter companies around the world. In Costa Rica, they had Skywest. The company had three planes we would fly around the country in the high season, about six months of the year. Then they had a great idea. As you know, in many countries, you have a high and low tourist season. The company implemented a pilot exchange program where we would work six months in Costa Rica during the high season – coinciding with the summer vacation in the U.S.- and the other six months in Africa.

That was 2019.

60 | MELANY BASTOS SALAS

To qualify, I flew to Africa to take the rigorous tests I needed to pass, which included one for every section of the training (about 10 sections). The IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) test included a bank of 6,000 extremely difficult questions. I passed them all and returned to Costa Rica to prepare my visa.

Then COVID-19 hit. The company decided to close their doors in Costa Rica and asked me to ferry one of their planes to the Czech Republic. Apparently, they were

What is some advice that you would offer pilots who want to follow in your footsteps?

Follow your dreams, fight for them, and remember there is nothing better in life than the satisfaction of reaching them.

It takes lots of dedication and effort, but the power to make it happen is inside you. Don’t stop looking for opportunities; keep at it, look for what you want to do, and yes, be open to different opportunities and challenges.

incredibly pleased with me since they offered me a job in Africa. Sometimes things happen for a reason, I guess…

Sinópsis: Melany Bastos Salas nació en Costa Rica. Se entrenó en aviación y obtuvo sus licencias de piloto privado con habilitación de vuelo por instrumentos, aviones comerciales y aviones multimotor. Trabajó para Skywest en Costa Rica y actualmente es copiloto de Airtec en Bangui, República Centroafricana.

Trabajar en el continente africano presenta un gran desafío dada la escasa cantidad de aeropuertos y las dificultades específicas de que presentan las pequeñas pistas de lugares remotos, la inestabilidad, la falta de descanso, pero el lado humanitario lo compensa todo.

Saber que hay gente que recibe lo que está necesitando gracias a estos vuelos.

61 | MELANY BASTOS SALAS

Home Sweet Airport

By Erándeni G. Calderón For me, being in an airport has always felt like home.

M

y father, architect Mario Calderón, started working in the Planning and Project Management division of the Mexico City International Airport (AICM

Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de Mexico) in 1974. He

met my mother, Leticia Martínez, in 1979 when she worked

MY STORY IS STILL BEING WRITTEN, AND I KNOW THERE ARE STILL MANY CHAPTERS TO ADD.”

in the Airport Design Management at ASA (Airports and Auxiliary Services). I was practically born at the airport in 1980, and from an early age I was surrounded by platforms, tracks, immigration and documentation desks, and baggage bands.

A Child’s Perspective When I was three years old, my father was transferred to the Francisco J. Mujica Airport, in Morelia, Michoacan, which was then the ¨new¨ airport. He took a position as Airport Administrator. I was always eager to accompany him to the airport, so on weekends, he would take me with him to do runways tours together. When I was older, I was allowed to slide down the fireman´s pole at the fire station, and even had the chance to ride on the luggage conveyor belts!

One of my most exciting childhood experiences was helping with the verification checks of the airplanes that were part of the transportation division of the government.

64 | ERÁNDENI G. CALDERÓN

We had to fly the routes with them and test the radio navigation aids to verify their accuracy between the airlines and SENEAM, the air traffic management agency in Mexico. We flew from Morelia to Guadalajara, then Uruapan, to El Bajío, and then back to Morelia. It was fascinating to me that the planes needed radio aids to fly between destinations.

In October 1991, my father was transferred to the Chihuahua airport (Gral. Roberto Fierro Villalobos), where at the age of 11, my love for airports and aviation continued to grow. My dad fueled the flame by taking us to air shows at the Fort Bliss Airport in El Paso, Texas. It was a spectacular, memorable experience. Meanwhile, I continued accompanying my father on Sundays to inspect the runways for FOD’s (foreign object damage) and properly working lights.

From Ground Level I HAVE GROWN UP IN THIS SECTOR AND KNOW THE CHALLENGES THAT WOMEN FACE EVERY DAY.”

Through the years, my love for aviation and the “ground side view” of airports continued to increase. Growing up with my father´s stories allowed me to understand that airports are like small cities, and hearing about their complex operations was fascinating. In 1998, when airports in Mexico were concessioned, meaning they were going to be operated by private companies rather than the government, I watched with great interest as airport groups formed and transformed the airport sector.

However, when it was time for college, I could not find any degree in airport management programs in Mexico, so instead, I decided to study law at the

Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua (UACH), in hopes it would bring me closer to aviation. I obtained a master’s degree in law with a focus on taxes from the Posgrado de la Facultad de

Contaduria y Administración (UACH). In 2008, the Universidad Regional del Norte (URN) gave me the opportunity to teach law students, and that is how I found my second passion--teaching.

However, life would take me back to the airports!

65 | ERÁNDENI G. CALDERÓN

The Legal Connection

I

n 2011, I had the opportunity to work at the Grupo

Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V., (OMA), a Mexican airport operator located in the

City of Monterrey. I served as the legal coordinator of the Directorate of Legal Affairs (DAJ), where I met extraordinary people.

Working in an airport group is an incredible and challenging opportunity. No two days are the same, and the amount of national and international regulations and normativity that must be followed is impressive. The air sector is one of the most highly regulated sectors we have.

For me, it was a dream come true to work in an airport because I felt like I was “home” again.

The DAJ supported regulated authorities and the technical-administrative verifications through the AFAC Agency (formerly DGAC- Direcciòn General de la

Aeronaùtica de Mexico). The verifications were carried out to evaluate the conditions of safety and facilitate the conditions of operation, maintenance, and quality of service, as well as evaluating the policies, procedures, systems, and resources that the concessionaires implemented. For me, the most important task was ensuring compliance with current legislation. They trained me in aeronautical and environmental legislation to support 13 airports and various directorates.

One of my most interesting projects took place at the Zihuatanejo Airport, where we established an Environmental Management Unit to help the reproduction of an established mangrove. All the experience and exposure to airport operations that I had accumulated to that point had prepared me well for the fast-paced, headspinning, constantly evolving industry.

In 2016, I returned to Chihuahua to be with my family, and because the URN once again invited me to teach, this time for the undergraduate students pursuing their bachelor’s degree in airport management and air business (LAANA). I taught a course entitled “Legal Framework of Air Operations,” which to my great pleasure, merged my two greatest passions—aviation and law.

IN THIS WAY, WE HOPE TO DIVERSIFY JOB OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY.” 66 | ERÁNDENI G. CALDERÓN

For the Love of Airports I immediately recognized the importance of this innovative career within the aviation sector and spoke with President Dr. Daniel García Coello of the University Corporate Division. He believed in me and gave me the opportunity to direct the URN aviation graduate degree program and take the curriculum online. LAANA is like my baby, created from my love and passion for airports and the airline industry.

From looking for the ideal teachers for each subject, to working with them and promoting a specialization in a sector that previously did not exist in Mexico, I know my work will help professionalize airport administration and air

In my work, I also encourage women to enter the air sector

business administration.

and consider careers in the airport administration or airline

I am now the head of the URN graduate aviation program,

the challenges that women face every day. I want to be a

and my challenge is to help students understand the operation of airports, airlines, and any aeronautical business in depth. In this way, we hope to diversify job opportunities within the airline industry. As a principal and teacher, it has been an enriching experience. It fills my heart to be able to transmit my knowledge and experiences to the students, and I am inspired and motivated to provide them with the best education possible.

management business. I have a firsthand understanding of point of support and inspiration for young women and girls to enter the airport and airline industry. It is something that I have instilled in my own daughter since childhood-- the love for aviation.

I will do whatever is in my power to create opportunities for agents of change in the air industry, especially for women. My story is still being written; there are still many chapters to add. I thank my parents for their example and my husband Eric Velázquez and daughter Isabella who support me and encourage me to pursue my dreams. My advice to future generations is to never give up, figure out the “how to” get things done, and always pursue your dreams.

Erándeni G. Calderón is the Director of the Aviation Division of the University of Chihuahua.

Sinópsis: Erandeni G. Calderón nació en México. Estudió Derecho en la Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua (UACH) y realizó un posgrado en la Facultad de Contaduría y Administración de la UACH. Trabajó en Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte de Monterrey como coordinadora legal de la Dirección de Asuntos Legales. Dada su gran pasión por la aviación, en 2016 volvió a Chihuahua donde dio clases sobre Regulación Legal de las Operaciones Aéreas. Estuvo a cargo de la implementación del programa universitario en aviación de la Universidad de Chihuahua donde se desempeña como Directora de la División Aviación.

67 | ERÁNDENI G. CALDERÓN

Choosing the Right Aviation School For Foreign Students

By Ana Uribe Ruiz and Maria Jose Montero

A

fter September 11, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) changed the visa process for pilots for many reasons. One of them was to

ensure that people learning to fly were doing it for the right reasons and had a relationship with a reputable, FAAapproved university or aviation school.

Part 141 and 61 Flight Schools Flight schools have their own regulations and program specifics, depending on whether they are a Part 141 or Part 61 flight school.

Part 141 schools are approved by the FAA and regulated in accordance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 141. Part 141 aviation schools are required to use a structured training program and syllabus and may be able to provide a greater variety of training

•

Administration of skills and knowledge-based tests, as students complete each stage. This is usually given by a stage check airman pilot, who holds a prominent title at the school.

aids. They typically have dedicated training facilities, flight

After demonstrating knowledge and skills, students will take

instructor oversight, and FAA-approved course curricula.

the practical test with an FAA examiner who can issue their

Colleges and universities offering aviation degrees often

license. The testing and licensing procedure is repeated for

provide pilot training under part 141.

each stage, from private pilot to instrument and beyond.

Part 141 schools also provide:

Flight schools under FAA Part 61 train students on a one-

•

A structured program with a set number of flying hours and ground training, as approved through the FAA. The total training for pilot certification is done in stages and each one must be completed according to set standards.

on-one, customized basis and are not necessarily careeroriented flight academies. The main advantage of Part 61 training is flexibility, and the minimum amount of flight hours is required for each certification. You can complete phases of the training at your own pace as long as you maintain the minimum of hours under the FAA. Part 61 schools are typically less expensive, but many people take advantage of their program’s flexibility. They ultimately end up taking longer to achieve ratings because of inconsistent flying hours.

Both schools, Part 141 and Part 61, require you to meet the same standard of performance to obtain a pilot certificate. You also earn the same pilot certificate, regardless of which regulations you train under.

68 | ANA URIBE AND MARIA JOSE MONTERO

Foreign Students Needing Visas When foreign students apply to a university that has a pilot training program included in their bachelor’s in science (BS) degree program, the university will issue a Form I-20 with a F-1 student visa. Foreign students must register with the Transport Security Agency (TSA).

Remember that the cost of learning to fly is separate from the cost of attending the university. Your tuition may cost $45,000, but you need to budget in the cost of flying ($65,000 to $75,000). At the end of the day, your degree and the pilot’s licenses, including Instrument and Commercial – some with a Certified Flight Instructors license- will cost around $110,000.

Foreigners can also choose a flying school with a structural program, or a Part 141 aviation school, to get your Form I-20. Your visa will be M-1, which is issued to international pupils who are enrolled in vocational and non-academic studies in the United States. Again, you will have to register

At a Part 141 school, you can also learn to fly without earning a degree. It will be more affordable and faster to complete, but you will receive the same licenses. If you want to add a degree, look for something affordable like an online

with the TSA.

school that will not require you to get another I-20. More

Schools that have the Part 141 regulations will reissue

an M-1 visa, you will take a smaller amount of credit hours

an I-20 annually, and every time you finish an aviation certification, for a maximum of three times.

of the schools online do not issue such visas. Also, with per semester than the typical 12 credits. You can pursue an associate degree first and see if you want to add the bachelor’s degree later. Make sure the associate’s degree is from an accredited college so the university you wish to transfer into will accept the full amount of credits (typically 60 credits maximum) towards your bachelor’s degree.

When it comes to planning your aviation education, do your research, check the costs, and where you want to attend school. If you want to add a degree, be sure to research which schools offer the program you want and consider all other options. There are plenty out there that can fit your needs. Remember, planning is free, so take your time and look at all the options available.

69 | ANA URIBE AND MARIA JOSE MONTERO

SMALL STEPS TO BIG DREAMS

By Carolina Oyarce Vasquez

W

hen I was a little girl, I had many ideas of who I wanted to be when I grew up and wanted to study different careers. I pictured myself

studying political science, or becoming a lawyer, or even a forensic doctor. Finally, at the age of 23 I got my engineering degree and began seeking job opportunities on the internet. I was living in Santiago de Chile, a big city.

There had to be something waiting for me.

I came across an interesting job position at Airbus in the helicopter division, which was known as Eurocopter

Airbus in Chile

Chile at that time. When I went to the interview, I saw the helicopters in the hangar and was deeply impressed. At that moment, I knew I wanted to be around them and learn this new métier for me: aeronautics.

In 2009, I became the Training Center Administrator for Airbus in Chile. I remember my French boss saying that he chose me from a group of nine professionals and that we had a big goal ahead: “to make the Chilean training center certified, functional, and profitable.” I felt lucky and excited to have that opportunity, and knew that he could count on me.

Two months later, I was headed to Europe for the very first time in my life. I flew to France, then Germany and arrived at Airbus headquarters to negotiate sponsorship and training for our instructors so they could conduct training in Santiago for our customers, pilots, and technicians of the South Cone region, which meant a large portion of South America. My biggest achievement there was to get the Training Center certified by Airbus and the local DGAC (Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil) the local airworthiness authority in Chile. We successfully received support and we were able to not only organize courses in Chile, but also in Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay.

IF YOU THINK YOU DON’T HAVE ALL THE SKILLS REQUIRED TO DO A JOB, KNOW THAT YOU CAN ALWAYS LEARN.” 70 | CAROLINA OYARCE VASQUEZ

The Training Center became the first to conduct technician training in all German range of Airbus Helicopters in South America, and the first Airbus training center outside of Donauwörth Germany. As I remember this, I feel proud about what we did there; we were so small, yet we did great things.

A

fter my second year in Airbus Chile, I decided that I wanted to leave abroad, like I did right after I graduated from college and lived three years in

Uruguay. So I started looking for mobility to France.

At first, it seemed like an insurmountable challenge. I had to find myself a job and I didn’t even speak French. Then I decided to take a small step towards my goal. I studied French after work, with three-hour sessions, three days a week for several months.

Meanwhile, I accepted an opportunity to work in logistics.

It was new for me, but I was lucky enough to have a

Tiger Helicopter Photo by Anthony Pecchi

group of colleagues that trained me well and shared their experiences on the job. That’s how I became Key Logistics Manager. I would bring helicopters and spare parts from Europe and North America to South America, and I also learned about the supply chain. Because of my experience and acquired skills, I made my dream come true when I landed my first job in Europe at Airbus Helicopters France as a Supply Chain Quality Manager (SCQM). I was the first female Chilean employee to ever work at the company’s headquarters.

Life in France As a SCQM, I was in charge of managing the quality and supply chain of 90 percent of all electrical means for NH90 and Tiger helicopters, the two specialized military helicopters in Airbus Helicopters range.

Because I was responsible for the delivery performance

WE HAD THE WHOLE WORLD AS A POSSIBLE HOME.”

of several suppliers in different countries, I would speak Spanish, English, and French every day and could switch between languages in a blink of an eye.

The beginning was rather difficult for me, as I tried to adapt to a new culture and settle into a new job in a very short amount of time. I felt that I had to stand strong and be confident in a competitive environment where 95 percent of my colleagues were men. I was a Latina with an accent; I had the feeling that I had to earn my place and their respect.

After a few years as a SCQM, I was in my comfort zone; I knew the job and I was good at it, I could easily manage my projects, and work there as long as I wanted. But I got the feeling that if I stayed, I would miss the opportunity to keep on learning, so I decided to apply to a new job: Exhibitions Project Manager in the Helicopters Division, which is my current job position.

71 | CAROLINA OYARCE VASQUEZ

As the Exhibitions and Airshows Project Manager, I

BFB isn’t just about working for the greater good though –

organize the presence of Airbus in aeronautical shows all

it’s a really great way to connect with and learn from others

around the world, not only for helicopters, but also for two

in the company too. That’s how I got the idea to organize

other divisions—ADS (Airbus Defence and Space) and AI

diversity lunches. They are open to all foreigners to attend

(Airbus Commercial Aircraft). I went on to learn about other

and share their experiences. The diversity at Airbus is what

Airbus products--fixed wing aircrafts, satellites, and other

I love the most, as I work with colleagues from all ages,

aeronautical products and services.

different races, and backgrounds from all over the world.

My favorite writer, Isabel Allende, once wrote, “For real

Balance for Business

change, we need feminine energy in the management of the world. We need a critical number of women in positions of power and we need to nurture the feminine energy in

Within Airbus, we have many opportunities to participate in interesting employee networks. One that is dear to my heart is Balance for Business (BFB), a company-wide employee network to boost diversity. I particularly like

men.” I say to women, believe in yourself. If you think you don’t have all the skills required to do a job, know that you can always learn. Don’t wait until you acquire the missing skill to apply for the job you want. Finally, always remember

to participate in projects to enhance gender balance,

to help other women and be happy for their success.

and I have worked on a gender diversity poster to create

Carolina Oyarce Vasquez is an Exhibitions and Airshow

awareness on development opportunities for women.

Project Manager at Airbus.

FOR REAL CHANGE, WE NEED FEMININE ENERGY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE WORLD.”

Sinópsis: Calderón Carolina Oyarce Vasquez nació en Chile y posee un título de ingeniera.

Trabajó en Eurocopter Chile. En 2009 se convirtió en la primera Administradora del Centro de Capacitación de Airbus Chile. Luego trabajó como Gerente de Logística Clave. Estudió francés arduamente y obtuvo un trabajo en Airbus Helicopters France como Gerente de Calidad de la Cadena de Suministro y luego como Gerente de Proyecto de Exposiciones y Muestras Aéreas de la Sección Helicópteros. Forma parte de la red de empleados que impulsa la diversidad llamada Balance for Business (BFB).

72 | CAROLINA OYARCE VASQUEZ

IMMIGRANT OF THE PLANET

BY ALINA CELIA CUMPAN

Immigrant of the Planet is a book of searches, findings, rediscovery and self- recovery in the transitions of life. Each soul will resonate with the poetic voice of an awakened world. Culture unites us when everything is lost. Poetry sustains our flight in everyday falls. Every moment lived is a poem in the world.

https://www.amazon.com/IMMIGRANT-PLANET

AVAILABLE ON 73 | CAROLINA OYARCE VASQUEZ

FROM AVIATOR TO ADVOCATE

By Raquel Villagomez

G

rowing up in Cochabamba, Bolivia, my father and I would dream about airplanes. He would take me to airports to see planes take off and land, and I

can still feel the ground below me vibrate as they passed by, ascending into the sky with a beautiful background of clouds behind them. This was when my passion and curiosity for aviation was born, and I began dreaming about becoming the first female Bolivian airline pilot.

The desire to make history never left my mind. Years later,

The Challenge of Flight School

at the age of 16, I imagined flying a B-777, A380, or a simple, single-engine C-172. The dream seemed almost unattainable, yet it persisted.

Finally, I made the most critical decision of my life: I fully committed to becoming an airline pilot. From the beginning, I knew it would be a rocky journey, not only because of the academics, but also because only five percent of commercial airline pilots were female. I knew I would always face conscious and unconscious obstacles in the aviation industry because of my gender and race.

Eventually, I found myself in a college classroom, chasing my dream with a passion. There, I was typically the only female in the room, and the only Latina too. The aviation school had predominantly white male classmates and faculty members. Yet I continued to believe that I could do absolutely anything I put my mind to, and I decided I would not let microaggressions or harassment get in the way of my goal.

Then only three years into my flight training and bachelor’s degree program in aeronautical science, I found myself in a deep hole, feeling like a failure, facing obstacle after obstacle, all alone. I felt sexually harassed by an instructor in the flight department, ignored during conversations with

I KNEW I WOULD ALWAYS FACE CONSCIOUS AND UNCONSCIOUS OBSTACLES IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY BECAUSE OF MY GENDER AND RACE.” 74 | RAQUEL VILLAGOMEZ

my classmates regarding aviation terminology, consistently disregarded for my hard work and success, and belittled by flight instructors. I felt like I was fighting for the dream I had as an eight-year-old little girl, with no support from classmates or faculty members, all because I was a Latina fighting for a spot in the airlines. Eventually, I reached a breaking point. I found myself looking around for guidance and mentorship, but failed to find anything or anyone who understood my struggles.

C

ontinually feeling overlooked and misunderstood, I was only two flights away from obtaining my instrument rating when I decided to step back

in my flight career and instead return home, find comfort in my family, and analyze my next steps. I knew I had hit rock bottom, but my family helped me realize that my struggles and setbacks were unacceptable. Unlike the rest of my classmates (many of whom were born into an aviation family), I only had my mother and three sisters to lean on, and they were not in the aviation industry and unable to relate to my difficulties. I was privileged to have their support, but I needed an aviation community to share my experiences specific to women and underrepresented minorities.

YET I CONTINUED TO BELIEVE THAT I COULD DO ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING I PUT MY MIND TO, AND I DECIDED I WOULD NOT LET MICROAGGRESSIONS OR HARASSMENT GET IN THE WAY OF MY GOAL. .”

Becoming an Advocacy in Aviation I started looking for an organization that empowered and supported Latina pilots or their mental health, but found nothing. I couldn’t even find statistics about Latina pilots. I knew I was not the only one facing difficulties as I pursued an aviation career, so I decided I had to do something to fill the void.

Suddenly, I began to feel empowered. I wanted to become a gender and race equality advocate in aviation and create an organization where Latinas could feel seen and heard through mentorship and sisterhood; a place to speak out about crucial topics such as mental health, intimidation, racism, and sexism. I knew I could not accomplish this goal alone, so I decided to reach out to Victoria Calderon, president of a student chapter of the Latino Pilots Association. I voiced my concerns to her and my vision for an organization that honored the Latina experience in aviation, where they could be vulnerable and share their unique experiences with each other.

75 | RAQUEL VILLAGOMEZ

V

ictoria was extremely supportive of my ideas and goals and agreed it was time to stop being silent and take our cause to the national organization--

the Latino Pilots Association (LPA). Victoria forwarded my initial email and instantly, members of LPA began talking about creating a subcommittee for Latina pilots.

That’s when I met Claudia Zapata-Cardone, a Colombian United Airlines captain and Executive Director of Community Relations for LPA, who became my go-to person for creating the subcommittee. She couldn’t believe such an association didn’t already exist! The support from the LPA convinced me that our cause needed to be addressed by the board of directors of national LPA. A month later, Claudia and Jerry Dooyes, President of LPA, hosted a meeting with the Latina and male airline pilots of LPA to discuss our experience and how we could be treated more fairly in the industry. I received tremendous support from the LPA and will always remember the relief I felt after finally being heard about the underrepresentation

ELLAS

and challenges of Latinas in aviation.

We created a subcommittee known as ELLAS (Empowering Latina Leader Aviators). ELLAS embraces

I WANT ELLAS TO BE THE SUPPORT SYSTEM THAT I PERSONALLY NEEDED WHEN I FELT ALONE AND INVISIBLE IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY.”

Latina women in aviation, provides comfort to those in need, and access to other Latinas for support. I am ever grateful to Victoria and Claudia for everything they did for me as we built this project.

I am proud to say that in four short months following the creation of ELLAS, we have helped many young Latinas find their voice and empowered many to continue pursuing their dream of becoming a pilot. We carved a place for ELLAS at the university level and received an “Eagle Service Award” from one of the universities for our achievements.

ELLAS is still growing, and I feel so fulfilled when I tell Latina student pilots about it and see the relief on their faces. I feel complete when I see them inspired by Latina pilots who tell them to never give up on their dreams of flying.

76 | RAQUEL VILLAGOMEZ

I

see the need to grow ELLAS to a national level,

To join or support ELLAS, contact Raquel Villagomez at

with chapters in every flight school, to reach every

villagr1@my.erau.edu or ellasoflpa@gmail.com, follow

struggling Latina pilot who needs mentorship. I want

us on Instagram @ellasoflpa or visit our website at www.

ELLAS to be the support system that I personally needed when I felt alone and invisible in the aviation industry.

ELLAS also plans to reach young Latinas who have not yet been exposed to careers in aviation. We’re ready to break any Latina stigma and show the world how we can make a positive impact in the industry. We won’t stop mentoring

ellasoflpa.com.

Raquel Villagomez is the Founder and Executive Director of ELLAS (Empowering Latina Leader Aviators Subcommittee of Latino Pilots Association), EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University chapter

and inspiring until we create a world where seeing a Latina pilot is no longer a rare event, but the norm.

Sinópsis: Raquel Villagomez creció en Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Luego de intentar estudiar la carrera de aviación y encontrarse con diversos obstáculos y maltratos por ser una mujer latina, decidió acudir en busca del apoyo de la presidente de la Latino Pilots Association (LPA), organización que la supo escuchar y le fue abriendo puertas.

Así se creó ELLAS (Empowering Latina Leader Aviators), subcomité de la LPA, que brinda apoyo a las jóvenes latinas que persiguen un sueño en la aviación.

Actualmente, Raquel es la fundadora y directora ejecutiva de ELLAS, del Capítulo EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University.

77 | RAQUEL VILLAGOMEZ

WALMART’ S First in

Costa Rica An interview with Marjorie Blanco

By Ana Uribe-Ruiz

M

arjorie was born and raised in a rural area in San Carlos, Costa Rica, where life was simple, but happy. Her dad is a farmer and her mother is

a housewife. Her home region is full of agriculture, farms, and livestock (especially cows), surrounded by the beauty of the mountains and a famous volcano called Arenal. She was one of six children in the family, and has a twin sister.

When she was a little girl, the family used to take the bus to visit her older brother, who attended the university in the big city of San Jose. On the way, Marjorie always passed

Looks like your love for aviation came from watching those planes at the airport!

I used to run to the back of the bus to see them taking off or even just parked at the airport. And I did the same when I was at the farm. I heard that special sound and I ran outside to find those amazing planes in the air, far off in the distance.

the airport.

What did you do after high school?

I went to San Jose to study tourism. At the age of 22, as I was finishing my studies, I realized that I had never had the opportunity to fly. So I found an internship working in a hotel in Canada for 90 days as a housekeeper. That flight changed my life completely. I realized more clearly that aviation was my dream, and I had to do anything possible to make it come true.

78 | MARJORIE BLANCO

A

s we all know, aviation is an expensive endeavor here in the U.S., and even more expensive elsewhere. I stayed in Canada and worked in a

specialty coffee shop at the airport for a year. On my way back from Canada, I started applying for jobs at the local airlines that had international flights from Costa Rica. They included TACA (Transportes Aereos Centro Americanos) and the local hub which was then known as Sansa. I received a call stating that they had an opening on the counter for the local flights, and would let me know once a position opened for the international side.

Did you take the job?

Yes, I did. Something inside me told me to take it. I started

Then reality set in since my family did not have the

January 1, 2010 and had the opportunity to fly to a northern

resources to help me. I was only working at the counter

part of the country with this group of amazing people. I sat

part-time, so money was tight. It was time to make a plan.

behind the pilot and learned what a pilot really does! Just listening to their conversation with air traffic control, how they programmed their route, and seeing those G1000 screens was incredible learning and I fell in love with flying.

I called my mom that day and told her I was going to become a pilot.

I worked one year at the counter and then got a second job with Jet Blue. At the same time, I moved from Sansa to TACA, which opened doors to new positions as part of the crew. I applied and got hired as a flight attendant. My brother gave me a place to live. Money was still tight so I bought a moped so I could get to my flights on time. With my full-time salary, I continued to live on my same budget and put the extra away to save for flight training.

I REALIZED MORE CLEARLY THAT AVIATION WAS MY DREAM, AND I HAD TO DO ANYTHING POSSIBLE TO MAKE IT COME TRUE.

79 | MARJORIE BLANCO

A moped? What happened when it rained? I remember there is a lot of rain in Costa Rica. You are in the tropics.

F

unny you said that. I did put a handmade basket on the back of the scooter so I could carry my suitcase. When it rained, I covered it with plastic

bags and donned a large poncho, but of course I would get completely soaked by the time I got to the airport. I had to allow enough time to get in, get changed, and be ready for the flight. I was a bit ashamed of my situation so I always hoped nobody would see me all wet, arriving on my small scooter.

I started flight training two years later; I had saved enough money to cover ground school. I was proud to be the only one in the history of the aviation school to get a score of 100 on all of my tests. I even received a special recognition for it. For five years I practiced flying with rented planes and then finally, I earned my license. In December 2015, I took my first step into the world of aviation when I was hired by Sansa, the local airline, to fly caravans around Costa Rica. I thought I would earn enough hours to become a captain, but it never happened. It was time to change.

80 | MARJORIE BLANCO

I CALLED MY MOM THAT DAY AND TOLD HER THAT I WAS GOING TO BECOME A PILOT.”

How did you end up flying for Walmart?

I decided I was tired of applying but would try to get in with one more company—Walmart. The hiring process was long and complicated, with lots of tests and technical challenges. Finally, I earned my Lear Jet rating and Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license.

So God had something special in mind for me. I am the first woman in Latin America in Walmart’s corporate jet system and soon, I will be a captain. They still celebrate that accomplishment, and I am very proud to be the face of Latinas in aviation for Walmart.

Any tips or advice for the next generation of women pilots?

Becoming a pilot takes dedication, sacrifice, and planning.

You must have an objective and always study hard so you can be the best at what you do. Always keep that goal in mind. Finally, remember to be flexible and learn to adapt to new things.

Marjorie Blanco flies as an ATP pilot for Walmart Corporation.

BECOMING A PILOT TAKES DEDICATION, SACRIFICE, AND PLANNING.”

Sinópsis: Marjorie Blanco nació y creció en el área rural de San Carlos, en Costa Rica. Estudió turismo en San José, Costa Rica. A los 22 años descubrió que su sueño era volar. Entonces, trabajó en una cafetería en el aeropuerto, luego en la sección de embarques y también fue azafata.

Le llevó cinco años obtener su licencia de piloto y en 2015 fue contratada para volar en Sansa. Pero fue en Walmart donde logró su licencia de piloto de transporte de línea aérea y se convirtió en la primera mujer latinoamericana en pilotear un jet de la empresa, donde, además, está a pasos de lograr el rango de capitán.

81 | MARJORIE BLANCO

82 | LATINAS IN AVIATION MAGAZINE

THE QUESTION ISN’T WHO IS GOING TO LET ME; IT’S WHO IS GOING TO STOP ME.” - Ayn Rand

83 | LATINAS IN AVIATION MAGAZINE

STUDENT TOOL KIT, RESOURCES AND MORE

By Ana Uribe-Ruiz and Priscilla Alarcon

eady to pursue a career in aviation? We want to

R

There are many resources and schools to research

help. Latinas in Aviation has put together this toolkit

before making the big decision. Here is a link to a list of

to keep you better informed and connected to

many aviation schools in the U.S. and links to international

opportunities regarding college selection, scholarships,

schools which may be an option for you as well. Also, it is

and financing your education.

always worthwhile to check for aviation schools in cities, states, and countries that are familiar to you in case there

SELECTING A COLLEGE When you choose a college/university for your aviation degree (BS or AS), you will have the choice to pursue your private pilot license as well. If you want to be part of the

are opportunities there that are not typically found on lists like these.

https://www.globalair.com/directories/ Aviation-Colleges-Universities-38.html One of an aviation student’s biggest concern is paying

airline industry in the U.S., you must have a degree.

for their education. There is a significant difference in the

After earning your private pilot license, you have choices

most affordable aviation colleges.

on how to earn your advanced ratings (instrument, commercial, multi engine and CFI-certified flight instructor).

Some universities will include the commercial and the CFI rating in their curriculum. You also have the option to transfer to a university after getting your AS and complete a bachelor’s degree.

tuition between schools. Here is a link to a helpful list of the

https://www.onlineu.org/most-affordablecolleges/aviation-degrees We have also had many questions lately about schools which offer A & P (Airframe and Powerplant) programs to prepare for a careers as an aircraft maintenance technician.

Here is a link to a list:

https://www.stateuniversity.com/ program/47-0607/Airframe-Mechanicsand-Aircraft-Maintenance-TechnologyTechnician

84 | STUDENT TOLL KIT, RESOURCES AND MORE

PAYING FOR COLLEGE Federal Financial Aid Federal financial aid is available for any college but begins with filing a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Make sure the form and all other information required by your school is completed and submitted on time. Use the link below to begin:

•

https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid

Scholarships Scholarships are available from most schools, and they are free money with no repayment necessary. Often, they are

Latino Scholarships •

https://www.scholarships.com/financialaid/college-scholarships/scholarshipsby-type/minority-scholarships/latinoscholarships/

•

https://studentloanhero.com/featured/ scholarships-for-latinos-ultimate-guide/

easy to obtain and just require an application, so always inquire at your chosen institution about opportunities that may be available to you.

Scholarships specifically for aviation students are typically available from organizations like Women in Aviation International (WAI), 99’s, Aircraft Owners and

Aviation Scholarships •

http://www.scholarshipsandgrants.us/ aviation-scholarships/

•

http://www.latinasinaviation.com/pilotinascholarship/

•

https://www.sistersoftheskies.org/

Pilot Association (AOPA), and Latinas in Aviation among others. Remember that you are not the only one applying to each scholarship! Don’t get discouraged if you are not selected for the scholarship the first time; keep applying!

Remember, the key to earning a scholarship is planning and not giving up on your dreams.

Personal Loans There are some personal loans available specifically for pilots. They are given for a certain repayment period. Be sure to accurately calculate how much money you need for tuition and flying hours so you borrow the correct amount.

Also, be sure you understand the terms of how you will pay back the loan and when payments must start. When you have your private pilot license, you can take another loan to pursue additional ratings, if necessary.

•

https://www.pilotfinance.com/ 85 | STUDENT TOLL KIT, RESOURCES AND MORE

The key here is planning. You want to remain financially stable as you progress through your training. Ask the right questions and get the answers before you take a personal loan.

Financial Advice WAI is here for you! New pilots looking to advance their careers should reach out at wai.sfba@gmail.com for more advice. We have more than $600,000 per year in scholarships and you can apply to them twice a year.

Come and see what WAI.org can offer.

PAGE TURNERS FOR ASPIRING AVIATORS

FINDING A MENTOR

•

Having a mentor can guide you in your journey to

•

Fly Girl – by Sherri l. Smith

•

Jacqueline Cochran: Biography of a Pioneer

becoming a pilot. They can tell you from experience which options will work for you and which will not. Listen well and

Beyond Haiku: Pilots Write Poetry – Capt. Linda Pauwels

Aviator – by Rhonda Smith-Daugherty

take some notes from those who have already traveled the route before you.

•

Latinas in Aviation – Jackie Camacho-Ruiz

To be connected with a mentor, reach out to wai.sfba@

•

The Women with Silver Wings – by Katherine Sharp

gmail.com

Landdeck •

Women Aviators: 26 Stories of Pioneer Flights,

Daring Missions, and Record-Setting Journeys – by

Karen Bush Gibson •

Women in Space: 23 Stories of First Flights, Scientific Missions, and Gravity-Breaking Adventures – by Karen Bush Gibson

86 | STUDENT TOLL KIT, RESOURCES AND MORE

NEWS & TRENDS STEM/ SPACE/ ETC. NEWS & TRENDS

NEWS → WOMEN LOOK GREAT AT “50” The American Association of Women in Science (AWIS) is celebrating their fiftieth anniversary of advocating for gender equity and the advancement of women in science. READ MORE They also have a series of “What’s Next” webinars available that deal with various topics related to diversity and career advancement in STEM. READ MORE

→ OSHKOSH ROCKS 2021!

Aviation enthusiasts were once again delighted to flock to Oshkosh for the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021, which proved to have record attendance! In a press release, EAA CEO and Chairman, Jack Pelton, said “This was perhaps the most challenging set of circumstances we’ve ever faced

as an organization to make the event happen…we went into this year not knowing what AirVenture would look like and how big of an event was possible. The aviation community spoke loudly, though – it was ready to come to Oshkosh and we were happy that we could welcome them. Our theme was ‘The Wait is Over,’ and indeed it was…” There was joy and excitement throughout the grounds and it set the stage for the return of AirVenture, making us very excited for the future.”

Mark your calendars for AirVenture 2022, July 25-31. READ MORE

→ CONGRATS TO JENNIFER HOMENDY, NEXT NTSB CHAIR In August, Jennifer Homendy was sworn in as the fourth woman chair to lead the National Transportation Safety Board. She was nominated by President Joe Biden in May after the announcement that her predecessor, Robert Sumwalt, was stepping down. READ MORE.

87 | NEWS & TRENDS

→ HOW FLYING HELICOPTERS HOOKED BRISTOW PILOT CHRISTINA BRUN Chief pilot for Bristow Helicopters at its Aberdeen and Sumburgh bases explains how rotary-winged flight had her hooked from an early age, and why she left a career in IT for one in the cockpit. READ MORE

→ THE BIGGEST LITTLE AIR SHOW RETURNS 2021 marked the eighth annual Biggest Little Air Show put on by the museum at San Carlos Airport (KSQL) in California. The sold out, outdoor event enjoyed perfect weather and flight performances from such constructions as a “flying man,” and the “USS Enterprise.” READ MORE

→ 2020 WAS THE WORST FOR AIRLINES TOO The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released the IATA World Air Transport Statistics (WATS) publication with performance figures for 2020, demonstrating the devastating effects on global air transport during that year of the COVID-19 crisis.

•

Airlines carried 1.8 billion passengers on scheduled services, a decrease of 60.2% over 2019

•

Industry-wide air travel demand (measured in revenue passenger-kilometers, or RPKs) dropped by 65.9% year-on-year

•

International passenger demand PKs decreased by 75.6% compared to the year prior READ MORE

TRENDS → GOT TIK TOK? Tik Tok’s content includes unique flying and aviation videos from everyday aviation enthusiasts, pilots, air traffic controllers, etc. Some of the most fascinating are women. Check them out!

•

@Plane Girl - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRdwtEF8/

•

@FlyiingTwiins https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRdKycSh/

•

@PilotKaity https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRdKhLck/

→ PILOTS GET POETIC Captain Linda Pauwels is launching her second book, Beyond Haiku: Women Pilots Write Poetry, on Sept 30. It’s a collection of haikus and short poems on themes of strength and endurance, radiance and beauty, love of flying, and finding balance, all from women pilots. READ MORE 88 | NEWS & TRENDS

→ THE PLACE FOR SPACE NUTS! The website called Science News for Students has a whole section of cool, relevant information about science in space that’s of interest to students and adults of all ages, too. Read about the galaxies that are surprising cosmologists, the clusters of baby stars within the Milky Way, and other fascinating discoveries that are shaping our relationship with the cosmos. READ MORE

→ EMBRAER AIMS FOR NET-ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2050 As part of their commitment to develop solutions to achieve “net-zero aviation emissions by 2050,” Embraer plans to advocate for public policies aimed at making biofuel more practical and at advancing electric and hydrogen-fuel technologies. The company is currently developing an electric military transport aircraft, STOUT, and an electric urban air taxi.

READ MORE

FOR YOUR CALENDAR → LATINA ENGINEERING WEEK IS OCT 11-16TH Latina Engineering Week is a platform dedicated to a full week of celebrating and showcasing Latinas in engineering. We are proud to report that the founder of this week is none other than Diana Iracheta, a graduate of the Fig Factor Foundation program. While she herself is a mechanical engineer, many girls including aerospace engineers have joined and benefited from this event and community. READ MORE 33rd Annual International Women in Aviation Conference, March 17-19, 2022 WAI is headed to Nashville, Tennessee for the 2022 Conference at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. The three-day gathering will include networking opportunities, career and professional development seminars, industry briefings, and more. READ MORE EAA AirVenture 2022 July 25-31, Oshkosh, WI The magic is planned to continue in 2022. READ MORE Pilotina Scholarship Deadline is December 31. Application available HERE. If you have an event you would like published in Latinas in Aviation Magazine, please submit your press release by January 8 for publication in March issue) or July 25 (for publication in October issue) to info@figfactormedia.com Events must be upcoming by press time to be included in the publication

89 | NEWS & TRENDS

THE PILOT DRESS-CODE: How committed aviators make an impression

By Capt. Jacqueline Pulido and Maria Elena Alvarez Camps

J

ackie’s dad was a pilot and she remembers watching

Jackie’s father wore his uniform with respect and honor. He

him get ready for work. He showered, shaved,

knew wearing that uniform meant safely transporting lives

polished his shoes, pulled out a crisp white, pressed

from one place to another, making the right decisions, and

shirt from his closet, tied his dark blue tie around his neck,

being a good team leader for his crews. During that time,

put on his belt, placed his fancy pen in the slot on his shirt

he was flying the Boeing 727 with a crew of three pilots: a

and his epaulets inside his pocket, applied cologne, tied

captain, a first officer, and a flight engineer. They all played

his shoes, placed his suitcase, cap, and uniform jacket in

different roles, and he explained to Jackie how each pilot

the back seat of the car, and finally, kissed us goodbye.

had to earn his stripes, and how the responsibilities of the

Whenever Jackie had the chance, she would parade

first officer and the captain were different, and so were

around the house wearing his cap, jacket and shoes,

their uniforms.

pretending she was Captain Pulido.

Jackie has memories of walking through the hallways of busy airports, holding his hand, or riding on his suitcase to the aircraft he needed to board. She couldn’t help notice how people would gaze in admiration or greet him with a smile, happy to see him.

90 | CAPT. JACQUELINE PULIDO AND MARIA ELENA ALVAREZ CAMPS

UNIFORMS HELP EVERYONE DISTINGUISH THE PILOT AND THE CREW FROM THE PASSENGERS, AND THEY ALSO ARE A SIGN OF AUTHORITY.”

Evolution of the Airline Uniform

B

efore the 1930’s, the uniform of the pilot was influenced by the military because of WW1. Pilots wore leather jackets and goggles, khaki pants,

boots, scarves, and headphones. A few years later, civilians adopted the same style.1 In 1939, Pan Am adopted new

uniforms for their pilots which resembled the uniforms of naval officers. When they started flying passengers and air mail in their transatlantic routes, the uniform helped calm the nervous passengers who placed their lives in a pilot’s hands. 2 The established uniform consisted of a dark-colored blazer with metal polished buttons, pants, a white shirt with epaulets on the shoulders, a tie, and a cap with the company insignia, which included an embroidered laurel wreath for captains. The number of stripes on a pilot’s sleeve and epaulets varied, depending on rank: •

IMPRESSIONS MATTER, AND FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE DIFFICULT TO CHANGE!”

Four stripes - Captain (although some airlines add a star for captains with certain hours of experience or number of years working for the airline)

•

Three stripes- First Officer

•

Two stripes - Flight Engineer

•

One stripe- Trainee

Why a uniform?

Not all flight schools require a uniform, but Jackie’s did.

She wore a white shirt with one stripe, blue pants, and black shoes. She immediately noticed that everyone at the airport could easily identify the students.

Airlines require pilots to wear a uniform, following their own dress code. Uniforms help everyone distinguish the pilot and the crew from the passengers, and they also are a sign of authority. After all, pilots are in charge of the safety of the aircraft and the well-being of their passengers and cabin crew. In critical situations they need to be easily identified.

Uniforms also help pilots look as professional as possible, to match their serious commitment to flying safely.

Although every pilot is unique, they must represent the values of their airline. For example, if you favor a long beard or purple-colored hair, you can sport it on vacation, but may need to shave and return to your natural color once you resume work.

91 | CAPT. JACQUELINE PULIDO AND MARIA ELENA ALVAREZ CAMPS

Today, airlines tailor their women’s pilot uniforms for the female silhouette. They usually require us to wear our hair neatly, wear discrete jewelry and makeup, have our nails manicured, and wear shoes and heel heights that do not interfere with safety.

Your Virtual Appearance As you seek employment with the airlines, you will undoubtedly face an interview and because of the pandemic, that interview will probably be virtual. And as important as your appearance is in real life, your virtual appearance is just as important. Elena offers these secrets for creating a unique virtual executive presence, which she calls her three Ps:

Physical Environment & Equipment Before you get on camera, be mindful of your background

WHEREVER YOU ARE IN YOUR CAREER, WHETHER YOU HAVE ONE, TWO OR THREE STRIPES, WEAR YOUR UNIFORM WITH PRIDE, RESPECT, AND A POSITIVE ATTITUDE.”

and the space around you. The cleaner it is, the more all participants will be able to focus on you, rather than your environment. You can select a “virtual” background, but depending on the type of interview, it may be more powerful to stage a “real” background with revealing, strategic details about you to offer interviewers insight into your life. For example, Elena has a painting that says, “Love What you Do” next to her coach certification.

Also, make sure you have good lighting without shadows so you look your best. Elena uses her daughter’s influencer lamp. Check that the position of the camera is at eye level and that you are positioning it at the right distance, so they can see your face, your upper body, and the movement of your hands. Remember that 55% of your communication is in your non-verbal body language, whether you are meeting someone in-person or virtually.

Stay close enough to the camera so they can easily see your face and feel connected. Be mindful of the platform used, such as Zoom, GoogleMeet, etc., as their cameras all display differently. Standing during your interviews can give you more control of your space. However, remember to carefully reposition the camera and rearrange the background.

92 | CAPT. JACQUELINE PULIDO AND MARIA ELENA ALVAREZ CAMPS

Physical Appearance & Posture

I

mpressions matter, and first impressions are difficult to change! What you wear communicates something about you. Colors have influence too--blue is a great

IMPRESSIONS MATTER, AND FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE DIFFICULT TO CHANGE!”

communicative color and creates serotonin, one of the happy hormones, to help you be perceived as responsible and trustworthy. Red is the color of passion and power, so if you want to make a statement, go for it. Green has a calming effect, so you are perceived as balanced. Black and white are not recommended because they enhance your face imperfections, although for many people it is part of their brand.

Also, consider the pattern on your clothing. Solids are best because patterns like stripes or plaids can distract your interviewer and clash with your background.

Your posture is also important to make sure participants feel like you are talking to them as you talk to the camera.

Sit straight up in your chair, with your shoulders down, so you bring a sense of calmness to yourself.

Be aware of your facial expressions and hand movements.

Smiles create bonds and give positive energy, and open palms give a sense of inclusion. Raising your eyebrows shows you are interested. Communication coach Tulia Lopes reminds us that “It is not ‘what you say; it is how you say it’.”

Positive Attitude This is the most important part of all! You do not only need to let them see you and hear you, they also need to FEEL you! Maya Angelou famously says, “I’ve learned people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” And for that you need active listening and empathy, all part of emotional intelligence, to make your interviewer feel understood and to answer their questions correctly. Have clear messages and speak calmly and with a clear voice so you inspire confidence for them to follow you. Be focused and at the same time keep it interesting and engaging by using storytelling. And remember that your tone is 38% of your communication, so be mindful of that as well.

Wherever you are in your career, whether you have one, two or three stripes, wear your uniform with pride, respect, and a positive attitude. Jackie remembers the day she wore her captain’s uniform for the first time. She had wonderful flashbacks of her dad, but now it was her parent’s turn to watch her get ready, with four stripes on her sleeve representing her hard work and dedication.

Let your positive attitude put a smile on your face and remember that it is the most important part of your uniform too. Finally, never forget that you are a magnificent human being, so go out there and create the best impression of yourself! Like Simon Sinek says, “Decide what you stand for and then stand for it all the time!”

1. https://en.airlinestravel.ro/fashion-aviation-istoria-

uniformei-pilotilor.html 2. Gandt, Robert E. (March 29, 2012). Skygods The Fall of PanAm. Black Star Productions. ISBN 0615611834.

93 | CAPT. JACQUELINE PULIDO AND MARIA ELENA ALVAREZ CAMPS

94 | LATINAS IN AVIATION MAGAZINE

In this latest book in the Beyond Haiku series – Women Pilots Write Poetry, Argentine- born American Airlines Captain Linda Pauwels masterfully captures the adventure and beauty that come with the journey of flying aircraft. From these pages come a thoughtful curation of haiku and short poems by fifty-eight women pilots from ten countries who collectively share their diverse flying backgrounds.

ALL PROCEEDS FROM WOMEN PILOTS WRITE POETRY GO TO FUND AVIATION SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ASPIRING WOMEN AVIATORS.

beyondhaiku.com

Applications are now open for the

2021 #PILOTINA SCHOLARSHIP ONE $2500 AWARD WILL BE GIVEN TO A DESERVING YOUNG LATINA (AGE 18-25) FROM MEXICO, CENTRAL AMERICA OR SOUTH AMERICA. DEADLINE: DEC. 31, 2021 | WINNER ANNOUNCED IN JAN. 2022!

Latinas in Aviation Magazine is a semi-annual, internationally distributed publication that is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and equality for this and future generations of Latina women working within and aspiring to careers in STREAM, and the aviation, aerospace, and space industries. The magazine creates access to mentorship, educational resources, internships, and other opportunities by sharing success stories from Latinas who have overcome challenges, stereotypes, sexism, and financial hardships to find a place in the industry of their dreams.

LATINASINAVIATION.COM