Ups and Downs of Flying

It's not just about the 

takeoffs and landings! 

Kathy McCullough

Kathy and I became friends 18 years ago, when we were both flying the Boeing 747 at Northwest Airlines. Until I read her book, I had forgotten that Kathy learned to fly when she was only sixteen.  But the stories she shared of the Northwest days brought back many memories. 

It was a fun read about what it took for her to get to the captain’s seat of the 747, but she had her share of problems along the way. Kathy was hired by the Northwest Airlines in 1981, and at the time Northwest had a strong military presence and was extremely unwelcoming to women pilots. She put up with a lot in those days, and her sense of humor helped her soar through a wonderful career. 

Lily, Karlene and Kathy at WAI 2017

Today Kathy is active in ISA+21 (International Society of Women Airline Pilots) supporting female pilots, she never misses a Women in Aviation conference, she travels, is writing a travel book and a novel, and you will rarely if ever find her without a camera in her hands. She's an incredible photographer. 

You can see some of her photos on 

her photography website:

kathymccullough.photodeck.com 

She was a cute baby too!

Kathy's book,

Ups and Downs

is on Amazon, 

in paperback and on Kindle.

And the Kindle version is 
FREE 

from today, Tuesday, September 19 

through Saturday, September 23rd. 

The paperback version has black and white photos, 

but the Kindle is in color. 

This is a deal you cannot miss! 

Enjoy the Journey!
XOX Karlene

First Flight Inspiration

Opens the Door to a Love of Aviation

Every year pilots in the Seattle area
dedicate their time and energy 
by gifting young ladies free flights
to inspire and open the doors of Aviation. 

This Year's event is 
at Boeing Field
The Seattle Museum of Flight

ON

Saturday September 23rd and
Sunday September 24th
From 9 am to 5 pm. 

We Need Pilots to Fly! 

The museum is providing 
FREE gas to help out with the expense,
 and lunch too! 

Please email me at Karlene.Petitt@gmail.com
If you can help. 

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene 

Flying From One Life

To a Pilot's Life!

Friday's Fabulous Flyer! 

Lisa Hannon

Nothing in Life Happens by coincidence. Yesterday I was tagged in a FB post written by a fabulous woman who is shifting her life from working in the sky, to flying. But what captured me first was this photo! "Cleared" has a special meaning for me today. As do the events of September 5th. But that is a story for another day.  Then I got to the end of her post and realized how much we all impact each other in this world. Lisa certainly has impacted me today. 

Enjoy Lisa's message to all.... 

Lisa Hannon: 

"There will never be enough words to express my feelings on my departure … it's bittersweet.

I flew my very last trip 

as a flight attendant 

on September 5th.

There was absolutely no way to get a big, fat hug from everyone. So, I’ll depart with all of my unbelievably fond memories of my ASA family. 18 years of flying the friendly skies!! I can pour the hell out of a diet coke but, that was not my job… that was just my gig on stage. It’s all what happened behind the stage that counts the most to me. That’s were my heart is and all of my dear friends and work family I have grown to love over the years. 

There are too many fantastic times and places to list so, I won’t even try. I will also miss the passengers too (yes I said that). There were so many people from all walks of life who have touched my heart and soul. My only regret was not keeping a journal…. however, some memories were just too good to write down. And, the not so good memories, well… I could write a book on it all, but I won’t… those were the times I grew and they only shaped me into the person I am now.

This is absolutely one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life. To leave a career I loved. But, I found a GREATER LOVE, and I’ve been working extremely hard these last 3+ years to reach it. I have had the courage to follow my heart, and, the intuition, guidance and strength to reach my goals and dream job of becoming an airline pilot!!

I’m not there yet, but I am super close. It’s time for me to go and focus solely on my flying and building flight time as a pilot. I’ve completed all of my flight training and I will now take a position as a flight instructor, 

and...

I CANNOT WAIT !!!!!!

I will miss all of my flying crew/work family/life-long friends…. It’s definitely not goodbye but, until we meet again!

I am the Captain of my Life …

“When you fly toward a dream embraced by passion in your soul, the clouds part, the sun shines and the rainbow guides you to your deepest desires.”

~~Karlene Petitt

So, off I go …. 

into the wild blue yonder" Lisa Hannon

Lisa, thank you for sharing your story and how you are the Captain of Your Life! I hope we will fly together one day. When we have a chance, I will share the significance of seeing your photo holding that sign, as well as the impact of September 5th. But sharing the quote from my book was the most heartwarming gift you could have provided. Thank you! Many hugs coming your way. 

Fly Safe 

Blue Skies and Happy Landings! 

You, too, Can be the Captain of Your Life! 

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene 

Pilot Jobs Wanted

Look What Came to My Attention!

FUTURE PILOT JOBS?

Are you struggling to start 

your Pilot career? 

Apply to an A320 hour building program 

NOW and make your dreams come true! 

• Join a well-known European airline
• Collect 500 hours on A320
• Get a First Officer contract (earn from 40000 EUR per year)

APPLY HERE

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene 

Lessons Learned

“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, 

we learn that life is short and 

there is no time for hate.”

—Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl

Plane and Pilot

Friday's Fabulous Flyers! 

Bharat Lakshmanan

Agraduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in Daytona Beach FL, 2017, with a degree in B.S. in Aeronautics, Bharat Lakshmanan, is destined to become a Airline Pilot! His passion flies, as does the amount of effort this young man has taken to become part of history. We often wonder what fuels aviation passion, or more importantly where it begins. Today we can see both. 

Bharat:

"I have been interested in aviation since I was a little kid. I went to a lot of airshows, and flew to India every Summer to visit family. At first, I was not certain on what exactly I wanted to do in the aviation field. In 2004, I made a road trip to Washington D.C. to meet some family."

During my stay there, we went plane spotting at Gravelly Point Park at Ronald Regan Washington National Airport. As I lied down on the grass and watched all the airplanes fly right over me during takeoff or landing, I said to myself 

“This is what I am going to do when I grow up.”

This is when my interest in flying developed. At the age of 12, I went for an introductory flight lesson in a Cessna 152 at Ormond Beach Municipal Airport. After making that flight I just got hooked to flying. I am currently pursuing my Instrument Rating, and plan to attain the rest my certifications and required flight hours to get employed by the airlines.

"Just a couple days ago, on September 5, 2017, I had the honor to take part in the most unique opportunity I could have ever gotten in my entire life. I got to fly on the very last domestic Boeing 747 revenue flight for Delta Air Lines from LAX-DTW operating as flight DL1352." 

"This was my very first AND very last flight on a U.S. operated 747, and I could not have been any happier than flying aboard Ship 6309 (N669US) as she performed this historical journey. It was a very bittersweet moment knowing that this would be the last time I may ever step foot on a U.S. operated 747 again flying from Point A to Point B, and it’s very sad to see this gorgeous flying machine going extinct from passenger service."

"The Boeing 747 is far more than just an airplane. It is a true aviation icon that has really revolutionized the aviation industry and how passengers fly. Delta really went the extra mile to make sure this flight was special for everybody."

"From special gate announcements, to early boarding to allow passengers to view the upper deck and cockpit, to speaking to the cabin and flight crew about their personal experiences, as well as the ground crew giving their final salutes to the legendary Queen of the Skies as it departed LAX for the very last time." 

"I do not think I could have made any better decision than to be part of this historic flight operated by one of my top favorite U.S. airlines. Kudos to Delta for giving me such an amazing and memorable opportunity. Keep climbing!" Bharat Lakshmanan

The Plane on the Last

Domestic Flight 

Actually began in NRT...

With celebrations and

 heartfelt goodbyes along the way... 

She was Leid In Honolulu

The celebration continued and

 more heartfelt goodbyes were felt...

LAX was the Beginning

of her Last Domestic Flight

OFF To Detroit She Flew

With a Most Awesome Crew!

As a Legacy Comes to an End

The Future Stands Proud ...

Bharat, Thank you for sharing 

your Journey.

I will be looking forward to

 flying with you in the future. 

Smooth Skies and Happy Flying! 

History of the B747 

For all who want to read an incredible book about the man behind the B747, Joe Sutter, and the history of how integrity, and doing the right thing, was the foundation of the B747 here you go. I highly recommend this book!

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene 

ThomasJefferson

A remarkable man who started 

Learning Early in life and 

never stopped.

At 5, began 

Studying under his cousin's tutor.

At 9, studied 

Latin, Greek and French.

At 14, studied 

Classical literature and additional languages.

At 16, entered 

The College of William and Mary.

Also could write in Greek with one hand 

While writing the same in Latin with the other.

At 19, studied 

Law for 5 years starting under George Wythe.

At 23, started 

His own law practice.

At 25, was 

Elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses.

At 31, wrote the 

Widely circulated 

"Summary View of the Rights of British America" 

And Retired from his law practice.

At 32, was a 

Delegate to the Second Continental Congress.

At 33, wrote the 

Declaration of Independence.

At 33, took 

Three years to revise Virginia's legal code 

and wrote a Public Education 

Bill and a statute for Religious Freedom.

At 36, was Elected the second Governor of Virginia 

succeeding Patrick Henry.

At 40, served in 

Congress for two years.

At 41, was the 

American minister to France and

Negotiated commercial treaties with 

European nations 

Along with Ben Franklin and John Adams..

At 46, served as 

The first Secretary of State

Under George Washington.

At 53, served as 

Vice President and was elected

President of 

the American Philosophical Society.

At 55, drafted 

The Kentucky Resolutions and

Became the active 

head of Republican Party.

At 57, was 

Elected the third president of the

United States.

At 60, obtained 

The Louisiana Purchase doubling

The nation's Size.

At 61, was 

Elected to a second term as President.

At 65, retired To Monticello.

At 80, helped 

President Monroe shape the 

Monroe Doctrine.

At 81, almost 

Single-handedly created 

the University of Virginia 

and served as its first President.

At 83, died on 

The 50th anniversary 

of the Signing of the Declaration 

of Independence along 

With John Adams.

Thomas Jefferson 

Knew because he himself studied 

the previous failed attempts at government. 

He understoodActual history, 

the nature of God, 

His laws and the nature Of man. 

That happens to be way more 

than what most understand Today.

Jefferson really knew his stuff.

A voice from the past to lead us in the future:

John F. Kennedy held a dinner in the White House for a group of

the brightest minds In the nation at that time.

 

He made this statement: 

"This is perhaps The assembly of the most intelligence ever to gather at one time in The White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined Alone."

"When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in 

Europe,we shall become as corrupt as Europe."--

Thomas Jefferson

"The democracy will cease to exist 

when you take away from those 

Who are willing to work and give 

to those who would not."-- Thomas Jefferson

"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as itgoes. 

A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world."-- Thomas Jefferson

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government From wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them"-- Thomas Jefferson

"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government 

Results from too much government."--

Thomas Jefferson

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."--

Thomas Jefferson

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms Is,as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."-- Thomas Jefferson

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time With the blood of patriots and tyrants."--

Thomas Jefferson

"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he Disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical."--

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than Standing armies.

If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their Currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the Banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks

will deprive the people of all property - until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."

This was one of those email forwards... 

but I thought it interesting enough to pass on!

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene