Dianna Stanger straddles the aviation fence. She learned to fly in a helicopter and is the current president of the International Women Helicopter Pilots (Whirly-Girls International). She also is an avid fixed-wing pilot. She and her teammates won the Air Race Classic women’s cross-country race in 2012 and 2014 and dedicated the winnings to an aviation scholarship for women. Stanger participates in such as events as Women of Aviation Worldwide Week (in 2014, she took more than 250 girls for flights in a helicopter). She operates Calhoun Air Center, a flight school in Victoria, Texas.
STARTED IN AVIATION… My husband and I lived on an island that was only accessible by boat, which meant my groceries would take a real beating when the waves were bad. My very first license was for a helicopter, which made the trip easily and could land easily on the small island.
HARDEST LESSONS…It took me forever to learn to hover! My feet would work the pedals against each other, which led to very sore muscles at the end of a training session. Training on a maneuver that is so basic would lead to very frustrating lessons, mentally exhausting when the proper
technique is just beyond your grasp.
FUN FLYING… My favorite activity is when my flight school has a $100 hamburger run. The students get to experience a flight that is a pure pleasure. They are amazed by free cars they can use at airports, how many great airport restaurants there are, and what fun flying is.
ADVICE FOR STUDENTS…Make sure your instructor is a good fit. You are going to be spending a lot of time with your instructor, and having one that meets you on all levels is a tremendous training advantage. The time to get your certificate needs to be consistent and your instructor needs to take the time to push you when you need it—and take time to complete some of your harder tasks.
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Dianna Stanger straddles the aviation fence. She learned to fly in a helicopter and is the current president of the International Women Helicopter Pilots (Whirly-Girls International). She also is an avid fixed-wing pilot. She and her teammates won the Air Race Classic women’s cross-country race in 2012 and 2014 and dedicated the winnings to an aviation scholarship for women. Stanger participates in such as events as Women of Aviation Worldwide Week (in 2014, she took more than 250 girls for flights in a helicopter). She operates Calhoun Air Center, a flight school in Victoria, Texas.
STARTED IN AVIATION… My husband and I lived on an island that was only accessible by boat, which meant my groceries would take a real beating when the waves were bad. My very first license was for a helicopter, which made the trip easily and could land easily on the small island.
HARDEST LESSONS…It took me forever to learn to hover! My feet would work the pedals against each other, which led to very sore muscles at the end of a training session. Training on a maneuver that is so basic would lead to very frustrating lessons, mentally exhausting when the proper
technique is just beyond your grasp.
FUN FLYING… My favorite activity is when my flight school has a $100 hamburger run. The students get to experience a flight that is a pure pleasure. They are amazed by free cars they can use at airports, how many great airport restaurants there are, and what fun flying is.
ADVICE FOR STUDENTS…Make sure your instructor is a good fit. You are going to be spending a lot of time with your instructor, and having one that meets you on all levels is a tremendous training advantage. The time to get your certificate needs to be consistent and your instructor needs to take the time to push you when you need it—and take time to complete some of your harder tasks.
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