Jacqueline Lux was working in an office, studying for the LSAT and applying to law schools when LIFT came across her radar. Now training to be a pilot, Jacqueline talks about being a female in a male-dominated industry—both the pros and the cons.

Q: Where are you from?

A:  I’m from Shelbyville, IN, but I live in Indianapolis now.

Q: Why LIFT Academy for your flight training?

A: The LIFT flight instructors really care about your training and try to get you up in the air as much as possible. It’s affordable. It’s accelerated. It’s a no-brainer in my opinion.

Q: What’s been your favorite moment of learning how to fly?

A: My favorite moment was my first smooth landing. I gained a lot of confidence in my flying and began feeling like a real pilot.

Q: What’s it like training for a career that is male dominated (only 7% females in the cockpit)?

A: Sometimes I feel like I’m standing out and don’t fit in. What’s really interesting is when people use the term “female pilot,” because I just see myself as a pilot. And everywhere I walk in the hangar I get a big whiff of someone’s cologne!

Q: What opportunities do being in the gender minority as a pilot give you?

A: Because there is such a small percentage of women in the cockpit, it makes me more noticeable which will hopefully lead to more opportunities throughout my flying career.

Q: Who is your female role model?

A: Michelle Obama.

Q: Do you have a favorite “girl power” saying?

A: “She needed a hero, so that’s what she became.”

Q: What would you tell a grade school or high school girl who is considering learning to become a pilot?

A: Do it. It’s super fun and flying over your hometown is a cool feeling.