March, 2001
to present
I started my own business for Contract Pilot Services.
My Concept: Provide many of the services that I did as a demo
pilot to customers who did not buy a new aircraft or who never had the
benefits of learning the techniques that factory pilots teach during delivery
and customer support assignments.
I'm having a BLAST!!
July,
1999 to March, 2001
I left Learjet to help to start a flight department for a first time aircraft
owner. I was involved in all phases of the operation except maintenance.
We developed a “First Class” charter service when
the owner decided to shift from primarily 91 flying to 135, and we were
preparing to add a new Challenger 604 to the Learjet 60 operation in April
2001.
I was typed in the Challenger 6 weeks prior to being "invited to
leave" by the owner's new wife. This turned out to be a wonderful
career changing move for me!
April 1990
to July 1999
Performed Demonstration Pilot duties for all models of Learjets.
First
woman typed in the Learjet 60 and the Learjet 45.
Personal expertise was in operational training during deliveries, and teaching Avionics and FMS systems.
Attended Accident Investigation School at Embry Riddle in Prescott, AZ. Functioned as the Training Coordinator and Operational Specialist for Learjet’s Accident Investigation Team. My extensive experience in the older Learjets proved valuable for operations analysis of CVR tapes.
Worked as liaison between Learjet and FlightSafety International for the development of the Lear 31a and Learjet 60 programs.
Supported Production Flight Test on occasion and learned many of the certification and systems tests. This proves to be very valuable during an aircraft systems evaluation flight, or post maintenance flight.
Bombardier Aerospace
bought Learjet Inc. in June 1990. I am including 3 different versions
of business cards showing the transition of logos.
July
1989 to April 1990
Performed contract pilot services for a variety of companies. My
first customer was based in Geneva, Switzerland. I spent 2
months making several North Atlantic crossings in a Lear 36.
In February 1990, AIRCOA’s new owners decided they wanted to use the jet that had been just sitting in a hangar. I was contracted to bring it back into service and fly for Regal-Aircoa as a contract Captain.
August
1986 to July 1989
Co-Captain on a Learjet 55 for the company that started the Clarion line
of hotels. The company sold 51% of the stock to Regal Corporation in the
spring of 1989. The flight department was officially closed
the end of July.
I started work during NBAA in Dallas as a typed First Officer for the demonstration flight department for Gates Learjet. At the time, I thought this was my “dream job”. Current production aircraft in 1983 was the Lear 25, 35 and 55.
The company was in financial trouble and reorganized the flight department prior to be purchased by Integrated Resources. All of the First Officers were “laid off”.
** I reverted to my maiden name after a divorce in 1983**
April 1982 to October 1983
Hired to promote the “Contact! Learn-to-Fly” Sweepstakes,
but ended up promoting business aviation, and aviation careers in addition
to the learn to fly program. I flew a variety of high performance
single engine aircraft all over the US giving familiarization rides and
interviews to the news media.
March 1978
to December 1981
I left a RN position in Coronary Intensive Care to start as the Chief
Flight Nurse in Learjet Air Ambulance transports. I flew C-172,
BE-58 on company errands until I had enough time to fly charter in the
20 series Lears as SIC. Obtained my LR-Jet type rating in
24-100 thru the company flight training school. Bass Aviation fell
on hard times and closed in the early 80’s.