Women with Wings

Written by Kristine Hedlund
Photos by Mark Susan

Meet four ordinary women, unordinary in their profession, with extraordinary dedication and a shared commitment to excellence in individual performance. Their standard for success has not only opened doors for them, but it has widened the portals for women in the generations to come.

Currently, women makeup only 6% of the pilot sector, and our belief is that the prospect for women in aviation has never been more inviting. Arizona ranks in the top 10 states employing women pilots.

Meet Jamie A. Rempel, Nancy Wendel, Michelle Arcamuzi and Betty Blake.

Jamie A. Rempel
28
Captain, United States Air Force

PW: Where did you go to high school?
JR: Sierra High School, Tollhouse California – home of the Chieftains! It’s a small high school, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in central California.

Were your parents in the military?
No; my dad works in educational administration, and my mom used to be a schoolteacher/stay-at-home mom and is now an author and artist.

What was your very first job?
I’m blessed with the most amazing parents in the world; throughout high school, they encouraged me to focus on working hard in school and sports, and I didn’t have to worry about a job. Consequently, my very first job was upon my graduation/commissioning from the United States Air Force Academy. I served as a 2nd Lieutenant at the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School working as the Assistant Executive Officer (assistant to the Commander), Head Volleyball Coach, and English Instructor.

How long have you been in the Air Force?
I started Basic Cadet Training on 26 June 1997, at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I received my commission as an officer on 31 May 2001 (Fire it Up!; I’ve been on active duty for the past six and a half years.

When did you first become involved with planes?
My grandfather flew in WWII and finished out his career as a rocket scientist working for NASA at Edwards AFB in southern California. I still remember him taking me to watch the Space Shuttle land when I was five years old. I’ve always loved my country and the liberty which America epitomizes, but it wasn’t until my experience at the Academy that I really learned about the full fleet of aircraft in the US inventory.

When you first joined the Air Force and started working on planes, what were the reactions from your friends?
Growing up in a small, non-military town in California, my friends were very supportive of my decision to join the Air Force, although they didn’t really know much about the military.

Who was your mentor?
My parents are the most influential people in my life; they’re awesome mentors and role models, as well as quintessential parents, Christians, friends and confidants.

Tell us about your most rewarding moment in the Air Force?
Honestly, there have been so many incredible experiences; it’s hard to just pick one. However, I would have to say one of the coolest moments was getting to see my students (from my tour as a coach and instructor at the USAFA Prep School) cross the stage as they graduated from the Academy in 2006.

What is the most challenging aspect of being a maintenance officer, overseeing more than 200 Airmen who keep 25 of the base’s oldest 185 F-16s in the air, representing the 62d Aircraft Maintenance Unit?
It’s an honor to serve as the Officer In Charge of the Spikes; these men and women awe me every day with their technical expertise and personal dedication. I have a very humbling job … The challenge is to be better everyday. I represent the 62d Aircraft Maintenance Unit. Being anything less than the best is unacceptable.

When you vacation, do you prefer to stay home or travel?
The world is an incredible place. I like staying home and enjoying a glass of red wine and a great book, but I also love traveling, visiting family and friends, and getting to explore/see new places.

What are some of the reactions when Airmen are assigned to a female captain in charge of such a large and highly technical staff?
The men and women of the 62d Aircraft Maintenance Unit function as a team of true professionals, focused on training the very best fighter pilots and maintainers while deploying mission-ready warfighters. Our mission execution is fueled by mutual respect and a joint commitment to excellence.

What inspired you to join the Air Force, and what has motivated you to stay in the service?
I love our country. America was founded on a timeless and revolutionary concept of freedom and liberty; our country represents ideals and principles for which I would gladly make the ultimate sacrifice. I serve so that others may live and be free.

If you could choose any career, other than the Air Force, what would it be?
That’s an excellent question, and one I’ve seriously contemplated. However, I’ve reached the conclusion that right now there is no other career for me. I can’t imagine finding another profession epitomizing the altruistic premise and genuine camaraderie which defines our military. The level of personal integrity, sacrificial service, and unending excellence make it clear why America has the best military the world has ever known.

Give us one saying that best describes you.
“Love, laugh, live … and be a rockstar.”

Nancy Wendel
49
US Airways Pilot

PW: Where did you go to high school?
Devils Lake, North Dakota.

Were your parents in the military?
Yes, my father was in the Army. He was color blind, so he couldn’t go into the Air Force.

What was your very first job?
Working for my parents doing farm work, such as driving the tractor and the trucks, and swathing the wheat.

How long have you been flying?
28 years, 19 of which have been with US Airways.

What was the first airplane you flew?
C-172

When you first started flying, what were the reactions from your friends?
They thought it sounded like fun.

Who was your mentor?
I have had many mentors throughout my career. My initial instructor was a crop duster named Bill Wakefield. He instilled in me my basic skills, which I use everyday. Bob Emery gave me a deep understanding of the maintenance part of flying and he was one of the best pilots I’ve ever flown with. For the past 20 years, my friend Mary McMillan has been my mentor. She has such a calm, steady confidence about her, which is the personality you need to be a great pilot, which she is. She is a 767 Captain with United Airlines and is the Chairman for the Central Air Safety Commission with ALPA.

Tell us about your scariest moment as a pilot?
Probably when I was flying corporate and I was ferrying a jet to South Africa in the winter. We were on approach to Iceland, and the weather turned bad. As we were skimming the white caps to land in Reykjavik, I was very nervous because we were out of options. It was a good lesson; I always have options now after that experience.

How has 9/11 affected you as a pilot?
It has made me more cautious and aware. Our training went from being cooperative to uncooperative. Many of the pilots are carrying guns now, and we have Federal Air Marshalls on many flights.

What was the most challenging aspect of becoming a pilot?
Initially, it was being taken seriously. I was lucky enough to have flown with some great guys, like Mike Farra, who helped me through the challenges and gave me a lot of encouragement.

What is your favorite destination when flying?
Canada, especially Vancouver in the summer … for the 30-hour layovers.

When you vacation, do you prefer to stay home or fly elsewhere?
We always go somewhere and we fly if we can.

What are some of your thoughts when flying in a storm?
With the radars, we detect storms and can usually fly clear of the bad weather. If the weather is at our destination, we just wait or go to an alternate area.

What inspired you to become a pilot?
Watching the crop dusters spray the fields. After one lesson, I knew that I wanted to be a pilot. It wasn’t until moving to Arizona and working at Corporate Jets that I discovered I could do it for a living.

If you could choose any career, other than a pilot, what would it be?
A doctor. They save lives; I just keep them safe.

Give us one saying that best describes you.
“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” Lou Holtz

Michelle Arcamuzi
29
Mesa Air Group Pilot

PW: Where did you go to high school?
MA: Elizabeth, Colorado (Denver area).

Were your parents in the military?
No.

What was your very first job?
My very first job was working at a Napa Auto Parts store when I was 8 years old.

How long have you been flying?
I have been flying for nine years.

What was the first airplane you flew?
The first airplane I flew was a Beech V35 Bonanza.

When you first started flying, what were the reactions from your friends?
My friends have always been very supportive. It did take time for them to get used to the “aviation lingo” and my ever-changing schedule.

Who was your mentor?
My mentor was and still is my father. He has been involved in aviation for more than 30 years.

Tell us about your scariest moment as a pilot?
“Scary,” is not a term that pilots like to use! However, I have had some rather challenging moments in my career. One moment stands out above all others; My first solo flight was at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona, in 2000. I was flying a Cessena 150, which is a very small single engine training aircraft. My instructor signed my logbook and sent me out the runway by myself to accomplish three takeoff-and-landings. I ran all of the appropriate checklists and received my clearance for takeoff on runway 4L. I was thrilled as I was rolling down the runway alone; and then, right when I rotated, my door popped open. Needless to say, I had failed to secure it properly. The good news is that I only lost one chart (map), and I was able to secure the door safely at 500 feet above the field.

How has 9/11 affected you as a pilot?
In short, 9/11 has made me much more aware of my surroundings.

What was the most challenging aspect of becoming a pilot?
The most challenging aspect of becoming a pilot was balancing school, work and flying. Another challenging aspect was flying an airplane in Arizona in the middle of the summer with no air conditioning!

What is your favorite destination when flying?
My favorite destination is Aspen.

When you vacation, do you prefer to stay home or fly elsewhere?
I love being in new places. Whenever I have the chance to travel, I take it!

What are some of your thoughts when flying in a storm?
I circumnavigate them whenever possible by using my on-board weather radar. Storms have a tendency to have precipitation (rain), snow/ice, turbulence, and the possibility of lighting, all of which could be detrimental to the safety of my flight and the comfort of my passengers.

What inspired you to become a pilot?
Both my father and my uncle were airline pilots, and the job always seemed so glamorous and challenging. My father also used to take me to a lot of air shows when I was a little girl. I was always fascinated with airplanes, so the career choice was natural.

If you could choose any career, other than a pilot, what would it be?
I would love to be an ER doctor.

Give us one saying that best describes you.
“Sometimes you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way down.” Kobi Yamada

Betty Blake
87
One of 51 legendary aces, veterans, WASPs and crew chiefs who devoted over 4 years in World War II

The WASPs were trained at various US locations, starting in Philadelphia. There were over a 1,000 WASPs by the end of the war. While in Honolulu, Betty trained in a J3, earning free flight time by working at a local airport, and later flying tourists around the islands in open cockpit planes.

PW: Betty, where did you go to high school?
BB: Puahou High School in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Were your parents in the military?
No.

What was your very first job?
Flying locals and tourists between the Islands

How long have you been flying?
Only 73 years

What was the first airplane you flew?
A Luscombe. But I also ferried 36 different types of aircraft including the P-51. My favorite plane was the P-51, a number of which I ferried to Alaska for Russian pilots who flew them to Russia for the fight against the Germans.

When you first started flying, what was the reaction from your friends?
I don’t think they were too interested.

Who was your mentor?
Steven Lucasic, a Navy PBY Pilot. When Steven had time off, he taught me to fly. I was only 14 at the time.

Tell us about your scariest moment as a pilot:
I have had a few. One was just being in Hawaii during the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the other was a flight near Rochester, Minnesota. My engine caught fire and I almost bailed out with my parachute, but I continued the landing. The mechanics said that I was one lucky lady, because the engine was charred and the gas tank was right next to the engine.

What was the most challenging aspect of becoming a pilot?
Getting men to believe that I could fly. If only they had the faith in me that my mentor, Steven Lucasic, had in me.

What was your favorite destination to fly to?
New York. The East Coast was exciting, and my Aunt and Uncle lived there, so I could see them when I would fly there.

What were some of your thoughts when you flew in storms?
I loved flying in the turbulence. It would break up the monotony of the flight, always making it a little more exciting.

What inspired you to become a pilot?
I had read all the books about pilots, such as Lindberg and Earhart. I was a catcher on the boy’s baseball team and the pitcher, Brewster Morgan, was a pilot. He took me on my first airplane ride in a J3 Cub.

It wasn’t until the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, that I knew I had a more important calling. I married an ensign, Robert Tackaberry, who was stationed aboard the Battleship California, which was sunk at Pearl Harbor. We returned to the states, where I served in the Ferry Command operating everything from L5s to B-17s and B-24s.

If you could choose any career, other than a pilot, what would it be?
A writer. I am currently writing an autobiography about my life, and I am excited to say that the book is just about finished. Although I might have to write another one; there’s just not enough room to fit it all into one.

Give us one saying that best describes you.
“You must do the things you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt

"The CAA says that women are psychologically not fitted to be pilots, but I see pictures every now and then of women who are teaching men to fly. We know that in England, where the need is great, women are ferrying planes and freeing innumerable men for combat service.

It seems to me that in the civil air patrol and in our own ferry command, women, if they can pass the tests imposed upon our men, should have an equal opportunity for noncombat service.

I believe in this case, if the war goes on long enough and women are patient, opportunity will come knocking at their doors. However, there is just a chance that this is not a time when women should be patient. We are in a war and we need to fight it with all our ability and every weapon possible. Women pilots, in this particular case, are a weapon waiting to be used. As my correspondent says: “I think it is time you women spoke up for yourselves and undertook a campaign to see that our 3500 women fliers, everyone of whom is anxious to do something in the war, be given a chance to do it.” Hence, I am speaking up for the women fliers, because I am afraid we cannot afford to let the time slip by just now without using them."

September 1, 1942
“My Day” by Eleanor Roosevelt (syndicated column)

I Want to Become a Pilot

To operate an aircraft in the United States, you must be licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which since 9/11, is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). There are several levels of pilot's licenses; the most basic is the Private Pilot license. This license permits the holder to pilot an aircraft anywhere in the United States and to carry passengers. The necessary steps to earn this license are:

• Pass a basic medical examination.
• Receive the required amount of instruction from a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI).
• Pass a written examination (100 multiple-choice questions).
• Pass a "checkride" (aircraft equivalent of a driving test) given by an FAA-approved examiner.

How long will it take?
To receive a Private Pilot license, the FAA requires student pilots have a minimum of 40 hours of flight time, of which 20 must be dual (flying with an instructor). However, these are MINIMUMS. For every flight hour, expect an additional 2-3 hours of reading, flight planning, and ground review with your instructor. Plan for 6-8 months.

Where should I go for flight training?
The best way to learn what schools are available is to visit your local airports. Small and mid-size airports usually have more flight training activity than major-airline airports.

How do I choose a flight school?
Here are some factors to consider when selecting a flight school:

Location: You will be making many trips to the flight school, so it should be in a location convenient to you. Be sure to include travel time to and from the airport in your lesson-scheduling plans.

Insurance Coverage: It is very important to have adequate insurance coverage for any flight operations. Training aircraft can be valued anywhere from $15,000 to over $100,000, and even minor damage can be very expensive to repair. Ask the school for details about its insurance coverage, and whether you as a student/renter are included in the coverage. There should be coverage for damage to the aircraft itself (called "hull insurance"); damage to other property ("liability insurance," for damage to structures on the ground, for example); and medical coverage, should you or your instructor be injured.

Scheduling: Find out how many aircraft and instructors the school has. Ask to see the school's schedule book and see if there are aircraft and instructors that fit your schedule.

Instructors: Most flight schools will want to assign you the first available instructor. However, if you have specific requirements, don't hesitate to request a different instructor.

Rental Rates and Other Expenses: Compare the aircraft rental rates at different facilities. Find out if there are any deposit requirements, monthly dues, and if you will be billed later or required to pay at the time of your session.

What can I do before beginning flight training?

Ground school: most flight schools and community colleges offer inexpensive classes that teach you all of the "book work" you will need for your license. Many classes will finish by allowing you to take the actual FAA written examination. A passing score is good for up to two years.

Simulators and ground trainers: Flight simulators on personal computers can be used to practice radio navigation and flight planning. Ground trainers (the disembodied airplane cockpits seen at many flight schools) can help you work on procedures and using checklists.

Rides with other pilots: riding along in an airplane is not only a lot of fun, but will help you become familiar with the appearance of your airport and local area from the air, and help you develop pilot skills.

For more information, visit www.FAA.gov or call 866.TELL.FAA (866.835.5322).