One of my adventures…..

I was piloting my Cessna Skylane single-engine plane over New Mexico, headed southwest but swinging wide to avoid the military restricted area.  When I filed my flight plan the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) man told me the restricted area was “hot”, meaning they were firing missiles and I was to stay out of that airspace.

I could see El Paso ahead, and as I got closer I radioed El Paso Approach on the radio to get landing instructions.  This was the first time I had been in this area, the first time I had flown west, and the first time I had undertaken a long flight across country since I received my new pilot’s license.  I did have 100 hours in my log book and some instrument instruction, so I was well prepared and, according to my instructors and checkpilots, I was a good pilot.

There were not many women private pilots at that time.  I was a novelty. The controller answered my call and I requested permission to land at El Paso International Airport.  I told him I was unfamiliar with the area.

“Happy to help,” he answered.  “I’ll vector you in. Anything you need, just ask me.  So I can hear that sweet voice of yours,” he said in his Texas drawl.

What fun it is to be a woman pilot!