LynnRippelmeyer

Yes, that is true. The facts are that Emilie got hired at Air Illinois 3 months before I did. When I got hired I was told I would not be scheduled to fly with her and that remained true for three months until on a stormy New Year's Eve no on could get to the airport but the two of us. We were told we could take the flight but to keep the doors closed and not make any announcements. The explanation was that a man had to be up there in case anything went wrong and we don't want to scare our passengers away. After a successful flight when no one complained or died we were able to fly together like any other crew. The owner of the airline did later send me a congratulatory letter when he found out I was the first female 747 pilot.

The amount of technology that has gone into the machine and the amount of training the pilot has had to go through makes your plane ride safer than your drive to the airport. I know you don't like the feeling of being out of control, I don't like being a passenger either. I know of no other profession that checks the health and ability of their employees as often and as thoroughly as pilots. You are in good hands.

Q1.I'm at a loss to understand why the percentage of women pilots has not increased in recent years. The opportunities are there, the job's fantastic. I wish more women would come join us.

Q2. Its landing gear allows it to make one of the softest, smoothest landings possible. Its size makes it stable. The "feel" that has been created for the controls makes it an extension of your own body. It's reliable and safe and you know she will take care of you if you take care of her. She looks like she's floating coming in on approach.

Q3. Take a guess....yes the 747.She was my first jet and will always be my favorite

My scariest moment was actually as a flight instructor. Flight instructors are expected to put a student in a dangerous situation and see if they react the way they were taught. I had to wait for a student to make the right choice and he froze and I almost didn't gain control before we hit the ground.

He ended up choosing another hobby....it's not for everyone.