THE Arabian Section of the Ninety-Nines 

"I don't really remember a time when I didn't want to fly. I was fortunate enough to try my hands at the controls for the first time when I was about 7 and a family friend took me up after I'd been begging and pleading with them for a long time. I loved every second of it and from that time on, there really wasn't anything else (NASA didn't want to give me a space shuttle to play with).

As a teenager, I was a member of my local Air Training Corps squadron in the UK, which allowed me to get some occasional flying along with lots of other great RAF experiences. Through the RAF I was also awarded a flying scholarship at 18, which paid for 30 hours towards my PPL.

Life intervened and it took me a long time to get around to flying professionally. I worked in various jobs and I'm really glad that I brought a diverse background of management, planning and experience to the cockpit when I finally joined the airlines. It's never too late! I worked for a couple of large US regionals flying Embraer 145, 175 and CRJ 700's. I met my wonderful husband/(49 1/2) during a month of flying together and moved out to the UAE when he was offered a job with Emirates. That also led me to the Arabian Section of the 99's, who are the most incredible and inspiring group of ladies I've ever known.

I now have my dream job flying the 747-400 (cargo and occasionally passengers), 747-8F and the 747-LCF (Dreamlifter) for Atlas Air. A great deal of credit for that goes to the ladies in this section who unfailingly supported my crazy goals with determination, humour and love."