In conversation with @jetgirlstephanie!

In conversation with Stephanie Goetz! an accomplished pilot and business woman!

What inspired you to fly/work in aviation? What is your ‘Why’?

Aviation was never on my radar! (pardon the pun) I was a U.S. news broadcaster and reporter at NBC, CBS, and NBC news affiliates for 10 years then started an executive communication coaching firm called Goetz Communications. It wasn't until an 80-year-old flight instructor reached out to me in my mid-30's to do a news story on becoming a pilot that I got formally introduced to aviation. My world changed in an instant when he took me flying. When I pulled the yoke back for the first time for take-off I thought, "Where has this been all my life? This is incredible!" I was immediately hooked. Shortly after, I serendipitously met another pilot who had his own airplane and a deep passion for aviation. Fast forward several years later, and he's now my husband. He's been my flight instructor through almost every rating I've achieved. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world to have my husband as my best friend, co-pilot, and teach me so much about aviation. My "Why" is that there is nothing like it in the world. The feeling you get with flying is like nothing else, the achievement you get after every successful flight, the incredible places it takes you, the ability to see the world from a different view, the community of aviators, and getting to show people the world are just a few of the reasons why I love aviation so much.

How did you get going in the industry? (first job, training, etc.)

I was fortunate to fly a Piper Cherokee and Piper Twin Comanche airplanes we owned to build my ratings and hours before jumping into my career. My first official job was flying a Citation CJ3 for Nevada's largest charter company out of Las Vegas, NV. That was a blast! I flew about 65-75 hrs. a month working 10 days on and 5 days off. It was a lot of work, but I gained immense experience flying in all kinds of weather conditions and in every type of airspace and airport.

How I got the job was by reaching out to the company several times (they weren't taking job applications at the time - only referrals from people), essentially "virtually" knocking on their door until I got the job interview. It took a few months, but finally they reached out and I got the job. I'm so grateful for that experience and I walked away with more than just flying experience. I met one of my best friends who was my captain during that time. It was my first flying job and she was a fellow female aviator. It was such a treat.

What obstacles or assistance did you have?

I was very fortunate to get trained by my husband. I could talk ground school and ask him questions at any time of the day: over breakfast, a text, dinner, when we were driving in the car, etc. I had expert knowledge around me at mostly any time. I didn't take that for granted and certainly made sure to ask all the questions I could. This also created a space where I could ask the walking encyclopedia anything at any time. In the beginning, I didn't develop the skill of finding the answers on my own as well. That didn't come until I cut the cord from easily being able to access that knowledge and decided to start finding it on my own. That was when I started taking more ownership over my training and knowledge learning. Like most any other pilot, there were plenty of training days where I thought, "Can I do this? Am I really cut out for this? I don't seem to be able to nail this maneuver or fully grasp this concept." But I had good, encouraging support around me to help me keep going.

I adjusted my mindset to believe that no one's great at something when they first start out at it. They learn, get better, adjust, get even better, and eventually master it. I was OK with failing, knowing that that's part of learning and mastering a skill. Ultimately, the road to each rating looked relatively the same and that understanding helped me get past any points when I felt I wasn't good at it or getting it, because with enough hard work and input, I would always come out on the other side successful.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given.

There's so much good advice I've been given or heard! Some good ones are that you don't have to see the whole staircase, you just have to take the first step. This is so true in aviation. If you're just starting out and want to fly jets someday, that's going to seem daunting and maybe impossible. But it's not. If you take the first step in getting your pilot's license, then your instrument rating, etc. next thing you know you'll be flying jets. Another piece of advice: Your attitude - and mindset - will determine your altitude in life. If becoming a pilot was easy and a smooth road all the time, everyone would do it. It can be a challenging path but also the most rewarding and fulfilling one. If you approach obstacles with a negative attitude and believe you can't get through it, then you likely won't. If you realize that obstacles are a part of life and training, then you will approach the obstacle as more of a paper barrier that can be overcome with the right attitude, hard work, and sticking with it. If a former broadcast journalist (me!) with no experience in STEM can become a good professional pilot, so can you.

What do your work days involve?

I currently fly the Citation Latitude (amazing airplane!) for the world's largest private jet company. I work 7 days on and 7 days off. I love this schedule because you go on the road for a week, then get a whole week to do what you'd like. My work days when I'm on the road are busy. I'll fly 3-5 legs a day - anywhere from 3-10 hours of flying a day. Some of the flights are with passengers, some are empty legs (ferrying to another location). There are many decisions that have to be made by both me, the First Officer, and the Captain to make sure the flight is safe and on time. We have to work together to get the flight ready and make sure everything is set up for a successful flight. As a pilot, you have to be able to adjust, work well with someone you've just met, have good decision making, and be calm under pressure.

What do you think could be done to help increase the percentage of female pilots in the industry?

There are a lot of factors that play into the low number of women in the industry. From my vantage point, there are a few things the industry can do (several of which they're already doing). First, there has to be more showing females that a hobby or career in aviation is possible for them. I never thought of myself as a science and math person. So careers like aviation weren't even on my radar because I thought you had to have extensive knowledge in STEM to be a pilot. That's not really the case. You have to have a basic understanding of math and aerodynamics and how to apply them to flying paired with good decision making and stick and rudder skills. Showing girls and women that aviation is an incredibly fulfilling career that can show you the world I believe that could draw another group of women into the industry that would likely count themselves out otherwise.

I also believe the industry has to continue making strides at making the industry welcoming to all walks of life: women, minority groups, LGBTQ+ community, etc. I've seen more of this inclusion as I've gone in my career: more people are seeing their fellow pilot as just that - a competent pilot. And not bringing bias or discrimination into the flight deck. But it's still there in some areas. The more we can rid the flight deck of bias, bigotry, and exclusion the more women and all walks of life will feel welcome there. Lastly, doing what it takes to allow women a seamless transition and support for women who want to have a child and a flying career. It isn't an easy transition for women during pregnancy and after, and the more that companies can support these women the more they will feel they can have a career and a family and continue flying. And us ladies have to be champions for each other! It's not a competition. It's an incredible community.

Have any other women influenced you in your aviation journey?

Yes! I've been so fortunate to have an incredible tribe of women around me to help in my aviation journey - but it was because I was willing to be proactive and reach out to make the connection with them and put myself out there in situations where I would meet fellow aviators. No one's going to do that for you. You have to build your community. Some of the people who've played pivotal roles in my aviation success: Jan Anderson (American Airlines Captain B777), Tammie Jo Shults (one of the first female Naval aviators and famed Southwest Captain), Heather Penney (former USAF fighter pilot), and many more.

Just as importantly, there have been countless men who have helped me get to where I am. I would not be the aviator I am today without great men who believed in me, fought for me, stood up for me, encouraged me, and trained me. We can't disregard the men in the industry who are there for us and fighting for us as well. We need to recognize and celebrate them too.

What changes would you like to see in the industry?

Many of the changes I'd like to see are slowing but surely happening - which is great. I would like to see flying made more accessible and welcoming for everyone, especially underrepresented groups. This is being done by great organizations like OBAP, NGPA, Women in Aviation, Latino Pilots Association, Professional Asian Pilots Association and more. There have been considerable efforts by large airlines and other aviation companies to make a change in this area, and I hope the work continues in big ways to move the industry forward.

What are your hopes for the future?

I hope that the industry will continue to progress forward and take bold action required to bring more people - and different types of people - into the industry and support them in their work. There can be long days as a pilot, but there is incredible reward and fulfilment as well. My hope is that we make a concerted effort to make the flight deck an inclusive place and make the work day manageable for the pilots with the immense demand in air travel.

Any other comment about working in the industry / women in aviation or words of wisdom you would like to give.

You CAN do this!! Don't let a bump in the road or significant obstacle deter you from achieving your dream. Thousands of people before you have experienced the same challenges. You're not alone. It's your choice to face it with a solution-type attitude or an attitude of defeat. Also, you can't do this journey alone. I encourage you to find people around you who will give you advice, support you, encourage you, and be there for you. This is so critical in aviation. One of the best parts about the industry is the community of fellow aviators. They are generous, willing to take you up for a flight, give advice, and teach you. Take full advantage of that where you can.