Being a working mother in any profession is like having two full-time jobs. As a self-employed flight instructor, I’m fortunate to have found a way to enjoy motherhood while supporting my family doing what I truly love to do.
My husband, Dana, and I are the owners and operators of Holladay Aviation at Craig Airport in Jacksonville, Florida. Our two and a half year old daughter, Alexandra, has already made herself at home at the airport. Like me, she will grow up around airplanes and be exposed to all sorts of related educational and recreational activities. When we first opened our business here two years ago this fall, Alex was just seven months old and barely crawling. We had her pack-and-play set up in the corner of our tiny one-room office because we had not yet found a suitable babysitter or daycare center. We didn’t know a single person here when we arrived, and hit the ground running hard.
Dana and I traded turns working and parenting, while marketing the school aggressively during those first few months. We told our customers that “the baby comes with the flight school” and if they were not OK with that, they should probably go train someplace else. Most people who came through the door were very understanding and liked the fact that we are a real mom-and-pop business, something that’s rare these days. Having Alex in the office with us full-time did present its share of challenges, though, as any parent can readily appreciate.
Today, we are well established in a larger office and have found reliable group daycare for Alex three days a week. On the weekends, when we typically have a full schedule, we rely on a part-time sitter to come to the house to care for Alex while we both work. Our business has grown so much that our greatest challenge now is making time for family, recreation, and exercise. Dana still does most of the flying but I’ve enjoyed the opportunities I’ve had to teach, particularly this summer when I worked with two female student pilots from zero time through their private pilot check rides. I’m looking forward to the day when I can give Alex her first real flying lesson, but am savoring every precious moment along the way.
Pilot Qualifications: CFII, Multiengine, Tailwheel
Goals: To spend more time flying with my family just for fun.
Website: www.holladayaviation.com