In January 2020, Soto discovered the American Airlines Cadet Program
while searching for ways to pay for her flight training. During her application
process, she was involved in a car accident which left her unable to walk for
three months. Despite this, she recovered and in April 2020 she was accepted
into the cadet program and enrolled in Coast Flight Training in San Diego, where
she finished her program in December 2021.
“This made me so happy because I always wanted to be a pilot for AA,” she
states. “The AA cadet program changed my life. I’ve met amazing people who
helped me succeed. I got my private, commercial, multi-engine, and instructor
license in the program, and learned ground instruction as well.”
Soto’s parents at one time were skeptical of the career path she chose,
but are now proud of their daughter as she has worked hard to complete her
education and overcome the adversities faced along the way. Currently a flight
instructor at Northwest Flight Service in Spokane, WA, Soto plans to complete her
flight instructor hours and become a captain with American Airlines.
“I had to start from zero when I was in San Diego and overcome the
language barrier,” she shares. “Another goal of mine is also to inspire other girls
to achieve and follow their dreams.”
Fabiola Sanchez
First Officer,
Envoy Airlines, Embraer 145
Before starting her career in aviation, Fabiola Sanchez worked as an associate
producer at a news station. Sanchez, who is of Honduran heritage, switched
careers by becoming a flight attendant with American Airlines in 2014.
“At the time, I saw that American Airlines was hiring and thought it would
be really cool to be a flight attendant, and to travel and see the world,” she
shares. “It seemed like an exciting and fun career to have.”
When reflecting upon her experience as a flight attendant, Sanchez says,
“I really enjoyed my experience, but what made me more curious about
becoming a pilot was the interactions that I would have with the other pilots
during breaks.”
Her curiosity eventually prompted her to apply for the American Airlines
Cadet Academy in 2018.
“The program was newly created at the time, and it was advertised to
the employees on the website,” she says. Thanks to the program, she was able
to find a school, receive a loan, and get fast-paced training that allowed her to
accomplish her goals in nine months.
Sanchez had been encouraged to apply for the program by a fellow friend
and flight attendant and officially enrolled in September of 2018. She attended
the program in Pompano at American Flyers, which is north of Miami. During
the program, she received her certifications at a faster pace due to the
program’s length.
“What the American Airlines Academy does is help you go from
zero flight hours to becoming that flight instructor,” she says. “You
get all these certificates along the way; you get your private pilot
license, instrument rating, and commercial license, and
that’s what the program helps you with.”
Fabiola during simulator training. July 2021.
After receiving her licenses, Sanchez became a flight instructor through
the Envoy Cadet Program and became a first officer with Envoy Airlines
after completing her 1500 hours of flight time. Sanchez is also involved in a
few different programs such as the “Ninety-Nines, Inc,” founded by Amelia
Earhart.
“I like this organization a lot because it has that sense of community and
resource, and the idea is to promote aviation to women,” shares Sanchez who
is currently on maternity leave.
Sanchez is proud to be a pilot in the airline industry where only five percent
are women and even fewer are minorities. Today the aspiring captain believes
the academy program was crucial in getting her to where she is in her career.
“It would have taken me longer had I done it on my own,” she shares.“We had
a great support system in the program.”
Nathalie E. Pauwels
Naval Intelligence Officer,
Civilian Flight Instructor
Nathalie E. Pauwels’ education and work have given her dynamic life experiences
as she has a background in both the Navy and as a flight instructor. She graduated
from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in English and
a minor in French in 2014. Her college experience was unique in that she
participated in military-style activities while taking courses in English, Science, and
Mathematics. During her senior year in college, she decided to pursue the subject
of “Intelligence” as her service selection, which prepared her for her future position
with the Navy as an officer. Pauwels attended “Intelligence” training school after
college. She was commissioned as a Naval Intelligence Officer in May 2014, and
has deployed to Greece, Japan, and South America.
24 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle V ol. 28, No. 1 , 2022
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