Her Life, In Flight

Melanie Hill recounts her 30-year aviation career—from Air Cadets and the Air Force as a supply officer to leading logistics at Boeing Defence Australia—after a setback that ended her pilot ambitions. She offers practical advice for women seeking alternative paths in aviation and emphasizes the many rewarding non-pilot roles in the industry. Melanie also discusses her middle-grade novel, Jet Cooper, about a teen aerobatic racer, and explains how to buy it internationally. The episode highlights resilience, diverse career opportunities, and resources for women entering aviation.

Jessica interviews Dr. Rachel Ferraro, an AME and internal medicine physician, about aviation medicals specifically for women. They cover practical tips for flight physicals (EKG prep, urinalysis timing, chaperones, and what exams aren’t required), how to prepare documentation, and when to seek consultation. The episode explains recent FAA guidance on hormone replacement therapy, discusses PCOS and acceptable medications, addresses medications like Accutane, and previews a future episode on mental health and HIMS. Dr. Ferraro emphasizes not delaying routine care and offers resources for pilots seeking help.

Host Jessica has a candid conversation with mindset coach Jess Gaspari of Edge of the Leap Coaching about how women in aviation can move from doubt to clarity. They discuss tools like timeline therapy, building confidence, practical action plans, accountability, and reframing failure to pursue career and life changes. The episode also covers balancing family and flying, asking for help without guilt, advice for young aviators to "just start pedaling," and how to connect with the coach at edgeoftheleap.com for support on life-changing leaps. You can reach Jess Gaspari on WhatsApp or by phone/text at +1 (347) 774-3966 or at www.edgeoftheleap.com or @edgeoftheleap on socials. Her LinkedIn is www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagspari/

Jessica interviews Caressa of AeroPathways about mentoring flight and maintenance students, supporting international trainees, and navigating career pathways into in-demand roles like AMPs, avionics, dispatch, ATC, corporate and charter flying. They cover training requirements, costs and scholarships, early STEM outreach for women, and how AeroPathways provides tutors, mentors, career placement, and financing options to help aspiring aviation professionals succeed.

In this episode Jessica interviews registered dietitian Kylie Viens, founder of FlyFit Nutrition, about practical nutrition strategies for pilots and women in aviation. They discuss managing PCOS, metabolic changes during perimenopause and menopause, the rise of GLP‑1 medications, FAA medical concerns, and realistic fueling and meal‑prep tips for life on the road. Kylie offers mindset shifts, simple habits (like prioritizing protein and strength training), and resources to help pilots protect their health and their medical while balancing an unpredictable schedule.

Jessica interviews Kat, an airline pilot and mother about how she found and manages a long-term nanny while flying reserve. Kat shares her path into aviation, why a nanny worked best for her family, and how she hired through Care.com after a poor agency experience. The episode covers practical details: transparent job ads, a guaranteed monthly pay structure, overnight expectations, a sample contract adapted from Pilot Mom resources, use of a family vehicle, housework duties, backup care strategies, and tips for screening candidates (call references, don’t rely on photos). Listeners will get actionable advice on budgeting for reliable childcare, negotiating time off and pay, maintaining quality of life while building a flying career, and where to find helpful tools and templates.

Airline pilot, mother, and Podcast Host Jessica shares her 14-year experience hosting au pairs, explaining how the J-1 program works, agency choices, costs, driving and insurance issues, rematch rules, and practical household expectations for aviation families. She also interviews her current au pair, Michaela, for a firsthand perspective on why au pairs choose the U.S., how they handle pilot schedules, travel perks, and tips for building a strong host–au pair relationship.

Host Jessica and guest Elayne Humphrey share Elaine's journey from homeschooling mom to a chief pilot and aspiring DPE, offering honest insight into starting a flying career at any age and balancing family and aviation. Listeners will get practical advice for older and younger students, why small schools and varied experience matter, the risks of fast-track programs and debt, how to handle check ride setbacks, and ways to get mentorship and community support.

Jessica interviews Laura Laster about career paths in aviation beyond flying: aircraft dispatch, airline operations, airport roles, maintenance, network planning, and Laura’s YouTube courses and resources. They also discuss practical steps for becoming a dispatcher, tips for training and scholarships, air racing experiences, and how to balance family life with an aviation career. https://youtu.be/_8knGWsY28k http://www.airraceclassic.org/ https://www.theaviationvault.com/product-page/bottles-swaddles-auto-throttles-unisex-jersey-short-sleeve-tee https://youtu.be/_8knGWsY28k  

Jessica interviews Captain Stefanie about her aviation journey from a flight-family childhood and Purdue’s flight program through regional flying to a major airline, and how she balances a demanding pilot career with raising four children. The episode also covers maternity leave, childcare strategies, perseverance in aviation, and Stefanie’s new children’s book Passport to Sunshine, plus resources and community support for women in aviation.

In this episode pilot-host Jessica speaks with IBCLC Sheila King about breastfeeding while working in aviation. They cover practical strategies for pumping on the road, milk storage and transport, maintaining supply, preventing mastitis, and using wearable pumps and coolers. Sheila also discusses emotional challenges like postpartum mood disorders, miscarriage, unsupportive partners, and how partners and employers can better support pilot moms. Resources and steps to plan schedules, build a reliable village, and normalize breastfeeding in the aviation workplace are provided.

In this episode Jessica interviews Lori, who shares her journey from flight attendant to flight instructor to first officer at a regional airline. Lori discusses early influences from her pilot mother, earning a scholarship, navigating training setbacks, and moving through industry programs with humility and hard work. She also talks about volunteering during the pandemic, the importance of mentorship and support networks, and practical advice for women pursuing aviation careers, including where to look for scholarships and how to stay resilient through training.

Host Jessica interviews her two sons about life growing up in a household with two pilot parents. They discuss missing parents during trips, the perks of travel, how the family adjusts schedules, and what they’ve learned from aviation. The boys share honest reflections on independence, memorable trips, and advice for other kids with traveling parents.

Hello, I'm Jessica and I'm new to podcasting. Let me introduce myself and explain my mission with the Her Life, In Flight podcast and website. It's a place for women in aviation to find all the resources needed to balance life and a career while traveling.