SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS

BY CATHERINE PLASSCHAERT

MARCH IS "WOMEN IN AVIATION" MONTH

I have the most amazing job in the entire world! That is what I tell people when they ask me about my career. I am an airline pilot and get to fly state-of-the-art, high-tech aircraft, and travel all over the world. I have the best seat on the airplane with the best view!

I started flying when I was 15 years old, but my love for it started even earlier than that. Growing up in Mankato, I had the opportunity to join the Mankato Squadron Civil Air Patrol at age 13. Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary of the US Air Force. This is a volunteer group for young adults ages 12 to 21 and they have an adult program for adults 18 and older. The Civil Air Patrol offers each youth member five free flights in a powered airplane and five free flights in a glider. After my first orientation flight, I was hooked. I immediately fell in love with being airborne and the great views from the sky. I knew this was something I wanted to pursue as a career. And after 35 years of flying, I still really enjoy flying.

Currently, I am a Captain for Delta Air Lines, flying the Boeing 757 and 767. My normal routes have changed due to COVID, but I fly both domestic and international flights. I enjoy traveling all over the world, meeting new people, and exploring different cultures. I love that each day is so different. It’s so fun waking up in New York and then going to bed in Paris.

I loved flying so much, I started my flight lessons and obtained my private pilot certificate while in high school at Loyola High School. After graduating from Loyola, I attended Mankato State University, as it was called then, in their aviation program. I completed all my flight training and was a flight instructor during college. After college, I went to my first airline as a pilot for Great Lakes Airlines/United Express, flying the Beech 1900, based in Spencer, IA, Worthington, MN, and Terre Haute, IN. After Great Lakes, I was hired by Airborne Express Airlines flying overnight freight. While I enjoyed both airlines, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to fly for my home state airline and when Northwest Airlines offered me a job, I leaped at the opportunity. I began flying at Northwest in 1996 flying the 747 based in Anchorage, AK. Eventually, I made it back to Minneapolis flying the 747 and was based in Minnesota after that and for most of my career. Recently, I celebrated my 25th year as a pilot for Delta Air Lines. During that time, I have flown the 747, 737, DC9, DC10, A330, 757, and 767 aircraft. Being based in Minnesota, allowed me to live and raise my family in North Mankato.

Plasschaert loves having the best view while working!

Another fun part of my career is mentoring new aviation enthusiasts who are interested in an aviation career. I mentor many young high school and college students interested in aviation. As the coach of the Minnesota State University (MNSU) Flight Team, I get to meet many college flight students pursuing a career in aviation. This is a collegiate team that competes against other universities in-ground and flying events. I also give FAA flight tests to pilot applicants for the FAA as a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and also volunteer as a flight instructor with the Mankato Civil Air Patrol teaching high school students how to fly.

When students ask me how they can get involved in aviation, I tell them they should go on a discovery flight to see if they enjoy flying. Civil Air Patrol is a great way to get involved. Also, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has annual Young Eagles flights for youth ages 8 to 17 to experience the joy of flying. Also, many airports have flight schools that offer discovery flights for a small fee.

Plasschaert in the cockpit, leading other women to take the driver’s seat.

Delta Air Lines sponsors an annual flight to introduce young women to aviation. It is called WINGS – Women Inspiring the Next Generation. It is offered at different airports across the country. I helped with the Minneapolis flight a few years ago when we flew an aircraft full of young ladies, including 17 from the Mankato area, to Seattle, WA for the day. They got to tour the Boeing Museum, meet many women in aviation, including airline pilots, astronauts, engineers, air traffic controllers, and many more. It was enjoyable sharing the love of this career with an aircraft full of future aviators.

The number of women in aviation is growing, but still a low percentage. Currently, there are only 6-7 % women airline pilots. I feel it is important for young ladies to see others like themselves in this career to help mentor and guide them along the path to being a pilot. Once they realize how much fun this career is, they might want to do more research and determine if it is for them. With the current and upcoming pilot shortage, it is estimated there will be a shortage of 3550,000 pilots in the US in the next 5 years. This is a great time for young pilots to get into this amazing career! 

The number of women in aviation is growing, but still a low percentage. Currently, there are only 6-7 % women airline pilots. I feel it is important for young ladies to see others like themselves in this career to help mentor and guide them along the path to being a pilot. Once they realize how much fun this career is, they might want to do more research and determine if it is for them. With the current and upcoming pilot shortage, it is estimated there will be a shortage of 35- 50,000 pilots in the US in the next 5 years. This is a great time for young pilots to get into this amazing career!