Spotlight: Meet Jen, a Skilled Pilot & Performance Flight Community Member
This Mother’s Day, we’re shining a spotlight on one of our inspiring pilots, Jen, an accomplished aviator and valued member of the Performance Flight community.
From early airshow memories that sparked a lifelong passion to the joy of sunrise flying and the thrill of navigating iconic city views, Jen shares what she loves most about aviation, the challenges she’s overcome, and what keeps her coming back to the cockpit.
What first sparked your interest in flying?
As a child, I would go to the airshow at the Hillsboro airport in Oregon and I fell in love with every airplane I saw. Military, aerobatic, historic… I wanted to fly in all of them.
What’s one challenge you faced while learning to fly, and how did you push through it?
I think the biggest challenge was after taking a 15 year hiatus from flying an old steam gauge airplane, with my paper charts, no autopilot, no gps, to retraining in an aircraft with a glass cockpit, autopilot and using an iPad for charts. The technological advances are incredible, but a bit of a challenge learning to use while also flying the airplane. I hit a plateau in my retraining progress at one point and was getting a bit discouraged.
During this plateau, I started training at Performance Flight. A change of instructor, because every instructor has different techniques or tips, along with embracing the automation (it’s much easier to hand fly once you understand how to use the system, rather than hand flying and trying to learn how to use the systems at the same time) was finally what I needed to get past that plateau.
What is your favorite flight route or destination to fly to?
My local favorite is the Hudson River and East River Exclusion. It is such an incredible view and it always amazes me that we’re allowed to fly so low and close to NYC.
One of my favorite airports while I was flight training in Arizona was Kingman airport. Flying in you can see the airplane boneyard with rows and rows of retired aircrafts sitting in the middle of the desert. It’s quite a sight to see!
Do you have a favorite aircraft to fly? Why that one?
Cirrus SR22 G7. It’s the Rolls Royce of small single engine airplanes. The amount of power it has is incredible and it’s such a comfortable airplane to fly.
Are you more of a sunrise flight or sunset flight person?
Sunrise. At one point I flew radio traffic reporters in Seattle for the early morning rush hour shift. I loved how quiet the flight would start, watching the sunrise, and then gradually the city and air traffic would awaken.
What’s one item you always bring with you in your flight bag?
Spare headset batteries! Noise cancelling is one of the best technology upgrades.
What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking about learning to fly?
Go on an introductory flight and see how you respond to the learning environment. Then, figure out your goals. Is this for a career or pleasure?
Either way, learning to fly is a big commitment. Not only during the training, but afterwards as well, to maintain your skills, currency, and education in an ever changing industry.
Have you ever taken your kids flying?
Not yet…maybe this summer. I’m definitely looking forward to taking them up. I think it will be amazing for my daughters to see their mom flying.
What do you use aviation for? Business, pleasure, or both?
Pleasure. It’s the best view in the world.
It’s the perfect time to fly
Whether you’re aspiring to fly or a seasoned pilot, Performance Flight is here to help you achieve your aviation goals. We offer something for every individual on their flight journey. From an initial Experience Flight through PPL, RA, COM, Cirrus Transition Training, or currency training, we have the team and fleet to support you.
