“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard your flight. As you step onto my aircraft, take a quick glance into the cockpit. Yep, that’s me sitting in the captains’ seat, and that’s my first officer laughing about how he accidentally locked himself out of his hotel room. Naked. Again.
We’re both a little ripe from flying for the last five days, but we’re still smiling because we have spent years and thousands of hours training and living an uncommon lifestyle to be up here for you.
For the next few hours, you have to turn your life over to us. It’s hard to trust others, and there are moments when you don’t have a choice about being in control. During those moments, you’ll just have to tighten your seatbelt and trust that others will get you through the storm.
Our route today will take you through a segment of my life up in the air, and you will see things you could never imagine. Since I have been locked in the cockpit with men for several thousands of hours over the years, I have been given a perspective few get to experience. To help you see a different perspective, too, I am giving you a checklist to use as we move along our route. It will take you from gate to gate, and when we’re done, we will have both learned a little more about what it takes to fly.
Now…just sit back and relax. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”
Erika Armstrong has worked every aspect of aviation in her twenty-five years in the industry, including an international corporate airline captain. She is an award-winning staff writer for Colorado Serenity Magazine and is a professional pilot columnist for Disciples of Flight, NYC Aviation, Contrails, Flying, LinkedIn, and Business Insider and is the owner of Leading Edge Aviation Consulting.
Industry Reviews
“In the rarified atmosphere of flying, Armstrong’s memoir of life as a female pilot gives us a fascinating glimpse into a world where men still rule. But it’s her write-from-the-gut style of story-telling and the unexpected turbulence she meets, not just in her career but in her personal life, is what will captivate you. Riveting, informative, and break-your-heart funny.”
~ Lee Woodruff – NY Times bestselling author of In an Instant; Perfectly Imperfect – A Life in Progress; Those We Love Most; contributing reporter for CBS This Morning
“Captain Armstrong brings to her work originality and humor which is rare in aviation literature. Her success flying the ‘heavy iron’ for the airlines is a must read for any woman considering a career in aviation or facing the challenges of balancing work and home.”
~ Darcy Vernier, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, ATP, CFI, CFII, BA
“Captain Armstrong’s powerful message of keeping sight of ourselves and our own hopes and dreams is a winner."
~ Dorothy C. Westby, Captain, Boeing 727, retired, Artist, BFA, MFA
Refreshingly smart and funny. Capt. Armstrong isn't afraid to show her humanity and her humiliating moments, and demonstrates deep courage and conviction. Figuring out how to 'have it all' is an ongoing question in most women's lives."
~ Kristen Moeller, MS, Author of Waiting for Jack
Reading her work reminds you, just in case you forget, that life is about fun, even though we have to live through some despair. Through tragedy we sometimes find meaning.”
~ David Lazaroff, Author of Live It Up!
