When she was playing tackle football with the boys at age four and winning trophies in Pass, Punt, and Kick competitions as the only girl, I should have known our daughter, Alicia, was destined to grow up as a competitor in some unusual field. However, I didn't expect her to become a pilot. When she received her private pilot's license the day before she graduated with honors from South Carolina Honors College, I was shocked because I had no idea she was flying. She started instructing and flying and eventually became a flight engineer, then a first officer, and later a captain with TWA. Currently, she is a captain with American Airlines, is working on her third Master's degree, and plays ice hockey along with tennis and other sports.
Two weeks from now, Alicia and Emily Lewis will participate as Team Friendly Flyers in the Air Race Classic, A Transcontinental Air Race for Female Pilots. This is an adventure in the tradition of Amelia Earhart. Emily, a student at Salisbury University, earned her private pilot's license at age 17. Alicia met Emily through her father, John Lewis. While with TWA, Alicia and Lewis flew the first westbound polar operation on the 767 from
Charles De Galle in Paris to Los Angeles International Airport.
Both Alicia and Emily are excited about the race that goes from California to Pennsylvania, approximately 2400 miles. Emily has a blog on which she is writing posts about the race adventure.
What about you? Do your children sometimes surprise you with interests far different to your own?
5 comments:
Love the article! I hope Alicia is looking forward to this as much as I am!
Thank you, Emily. I think she's excited, too!
Hi Monti .. I did used to glide as a kid - 16 .. but never went far with it ... my step-grandfather used to fly bi-planes etc ..
But Alicia and Emily seem to have hit on a great career and with such success and lots of challenges -
No wonder you're proud to highlight Alicia - wonderful ..
I think I lost the plot years ago - but perhaps will come into my own late in life .. !!
Cheers and amazing - enjoy their race and let us know .. Hilary
Interesting story, Mary. I hope they have all good weather, safe flying and a great adventure. I worked at New Cumberland airfield (then a military supply depot) before getting drafted into the Army in '61.
Interesting story, Mary. I hope they have all good weather, safe flying and a great adventure. I worked at New Cumberland airfield (then a military supply depot) before getting drafted into the Army in '61.
Post a Comment