Expert: D. Norkus - 1/21/2008

Question
I am 52 years young, a medical professional, looking to "change" or combine careers into the aviation world.  Would love to learn to fly.  Have a son just hired by a regional airline.  Initial interest is "search & rescue"...


June Quick

Answer
June,

As a female airline pilot, I primarily advise about airline career opportunities for women but I know of a few things that may be of interest to a woman in your situation. Since you are interested in becoming a pilot and helping out with search & rescue missions, I think the Civil Air Patrol (a civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force) would be a perfect match. However, it's not a paid position if you were literally looking for a new career. The CAP's emergency services include air and ground search and rescue, disaster relief, counter drug and homeland security. Its volunteer members fly more than 95 percent of the inland search and rescue missions for the Air Force Rescue and Coordination Center at Langley Air Force Base.

Here is a list of the things they do:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Air_Patrol#Emergency_Services

Or, as a "medical professional" perhaps your services could be of use to other organizations such as these where you may find a paid position (many positions are in developing countries):

http://www.flyingdocs.org/
http://www.amref.org
http://www.fdoamerica.org/
http://aircompassionamerica.org/
http://www.aircareall.org/
http://www.airserv.org/

Specifically, here are some medical organizations:
Aerospace Medical Association - http://www.asma.org/
Association of Air Medical Services  - http://www.aams.org/
National EMS Pilots Association - http://www.nemspa.org/

Or perhaps any number of air ambulance services (depending on your medical specialty) could be an opportunity too. Check your local phone book and inquire with operators what kind of jobs they have for which they are hiring.  

As an aspiring female pilot, I suggest joining the International Women Pilots Organization (aka the Ninety-Nines) http://www.ninety-nines.org
I think you will find them mentors and a great source of support and advice as you begin your training.

Hope this helps,
Dottie