"Of Course It's Hard" To Be A Pilot... But "It All Becomes Worth It!"

Perched on a balcony overseeing an assortment of aircraft static displays, a young girl asked Maj. Nicole Malachowski, "Is it hard to be a pilot?"

The major smiled at the question; it's one she'd answered many times. After all, she was the first female Thunderbirds and before that, an accomplished F-15E Strike Eagle pilot.

"Of course it's hard," the major answered. "You have to study, you have to work a lot, you have to stay in shape. You have to be dedicated to it. But when you're up there flying, it all becomes worth it. There is nothing like the combination of grace and power that comes from flying jets."

Major Malachowski was a guest speaker for the Women in Aviation and Space Family Day March 14 at the National Air and Space Museum Udvar Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. The event featured female air and space pioneers, including astronauts, a World War II Women Airforce Service Pilot and several aerospace science experts.

In addition to the guest speakers, there were several exhibit booths where visitors could learn hands-on about science and flying.

According to Malachowski, events like this are important as they introduce aerospace science careers to girls at a young and impressionable age. She was 5 when she decided she wanted to be a pilot, and had soloed her first airplane before she had her driver's license.

"We all volunteered to come out here because the education of our children is so important," Major Malachowski said. "It's an investment in the future of our country and just very energizing to come out and talk to people about what we do. It's an honor for me to be here to highlight some of the contributions women have made in our field."

The major answered several questions from the audience, mostly young girls who wanted to hear the 13-year Air Force veteran speak about her experiences.

"I love airplanes and pilots. We went to airshows all the time while my dad was stationed in England," said 15-year-old Elly Jones, the daughter of a retired technical sergeant. "Getting to talk with Nicole is just amazing because it shows that your dreams really can come true. She's an inspiration."

(Aero-News salutes Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs)

FMI: www.af.mil, www.wai.org