How and why did you get into
business aviation?
Initially through a discovery flight
given as a birthday gift by a family
member when I was 13. I thought
it was cool, but when they did the
same thing at my 17th birthday I was
hooked. In the very beginning I didn’t
know that I would pursue flying as a
career, but over the next few years as
I was working on my pilot ratings and
certificates, I just wanted to work in the
industry in whatever capacity. One of
those jobs was at an FBO in Denver. I
got up close and personal to business
aircraft and I absolutely fell in love with
them. I developed a passion and one
of my goals was to fly a Learjet.
Do you think the sector is doing
enough to encourage women into
the sector?
I’ve been in this industry for over
30 years. I took a 10-year break to
stay home and be a Mom and when
I returned I noticed a huge influx of
women, both as pilots and also other
roles. I hear more women in air traffic
control now than ever before. I think
the industry is doing a lot, not only to
speak to women, but to encourage
young people in general.
But I think more should be done
in high schools. I know there are a
select few schools that have aviation
programs, but they’re few and far
between and that’s unfortunate.
High school is an opportune time to
introduce youth to aviation.
What challenges personally,
including sexism, have you
ever faced and how did you
deal with them?
I don’t recall any discriminating events
early on. My flight instructors were
always very supportive.
My first challenge was at my first
jet job. I was the first female pilot at
this company and there was a man
who had a bad attitude towards me
because his wife didn’t want me there.
She didn’t want a female pilot flying
with her husband. That transferred to
how he treated me. That was an eye
opener. I was young, and I had no idea
that wives would be a roadblock for
me, but it didn’t stop me.
Not long after that I was doing
some contract work. There was an
Cindy Youngblood
Pilot at Delta Private Jets and former
president of the organization Women
in Corporate Aviation
opening for a pilot, but the chief pilot
said he couldn’t offer me the job
because his wife would divorce him.
I was stunned but not offended. I’m
grateful that he was able to be candid
with me.
These issues exist, I just don’t get
twisted into knots because of it. We all
have our career challenges, but overall
my experience has been positive. Over
the course of my career more men
have helped me to achieve my goals
than have ever got in my way.
What advice would you give to
women interested in a career in
business aviation?
If they have already started flying
and they’re working on their ratings
but don’t know if they want to go into
business aviation or the airlines, I
would say, just try business aviation.
You’ll have some unique experiences
and still have ample time to work for
airlines if you want to.
For anyone who hasn’t already
begun a career in aviation, but
has an interest I might suggest they
take a discovery flight, you just might
get hooked.
“I got up close and
personal to business
aircraft and I absolutely
fell in love with them.”
D I V E R S I T Y
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