Captain Karen Kahn is a professional commercial pilot with Continental Airlines, professional speaker and author of the book "Flight Guide for Success."
Pictures and Videos on Diva Maverick Mavens courtesy of Captain Karen Kahn and Christie Communications.
Did you come from a family of pilots?
Captain Karen M. Kahn
No, no one in my family flies and my parents were dead set against my flying.
Tell me what makes a person go against their families wishes to pursue their dream?
Captain Karen M. Kahn
After my first lesson, I was passionate about flying and wanted to do for a living what I'd found I loved to do anyway. I realized that doing for a living what you'd like to do for fun was my goal in life...and flying fulfilled that goal.
Did your family teach you about goals?
Captain Karen M. Kahn
Not really. I think mine were always at odds to theirs. They wanted me to be a nurse -- and years later I discovered how squeamish I really am! I think flying was considered to be too "bus driver" like and not intellectual enough for their tastes. I, however, found it fascinating and I became excited about learning all I could about my new world of flight. I only wish I'd found my passion while in college so I could have attended an aviation college or, at very least, received some college credit for all the av courses I took.
Where did you get the drive to pursue your dreams without the support of family? Friends, self...
Captain Karen M. Kahn
I think I was determined to do for a living what I loved to do anyway and kept my focus by immersing myself in aviation. I did take various menial jobs to pay for my lessons, but that thought of flying was always on my mind. I quickly figured out that I wanted to be out at the airport and finally got a job working as a dispatcher, bookkeeper, administrative assistant in order to take advantage of employee flying discount rates.
If you had any words of advice for women who don't have a healthy since of self-esteem or a support network, what would that advice be?
Captain Karen M. Kahn
Find a passion and go for it. Don't let others tell you that you can't achieve your goal...only YOU decide what you can achieve. There ARE folks out there to help you. You just need to find them by participating in your passion -- to whatever extent possible. For example, I never had a mentor, per se. I had a passion and kept in contact with anyone who I thought could help me. I was probably a bit pushy, but how else will folks know what my goal is and that I'm working hard to achieve it? My book talks a lot about how you can find someone to help you and how to convince them that you're serious about your passion.
Tell me about flying and I don't mean commercially. What does it means to you personally?
Captain Karen M. Kahn
It means freedom, to go where you want, when you want. It means instant gratification and immediate feedback to bolster your sense of accomplishment. I love the fact that you're constantly learning and that we are eager to discuss our mistakes so we can learn from them and from others. I always joke with passengers who exclaim "look it's a woman Captain! that when they find me an airplane that knows the sex of the person who's flying it, I'll quit." For now, it's very much equal opportunity, assuming you're qualified -- and that's the key, being well-qualified at what you do.
I see you fly helicopters, gliders and seaplanes. Tell me about how it feels to fly in these?
Captain Karen M. Kahn
Helicopters are great fun, but very unforgiving. You have to pay close attention to what you're doing. But I love their maneuverability -- I'm a snoop at heart and love to fly in places that airplanes can't go. Gliders are very peaceful, although no as quiet as you might suspect. The wind noise can be substantial. Seaplanes are great fun, but I've not flown one for many years. However, a vacation to some water land in the summer, like Alaska, would be great fun. I quickly realized that if you wanted to fly for a living, you had to acquire the skills in that part of aviation that employs the most pilots, rather than just the most fun part that probably uses pilots only part-time. That's not to say there aren't jobs in those areas, but the preponderance of jobs are in the transportation business which is mainly reserved for airplanes, the bigger the plane the farther they go.
What advice would you give to women who would like to learn to fly non-commercially?
Captain Karen M. Kahn
It's a wonderful idea to learn to fly. Most of us, myself included, started out doing it for a hobby and found we loved it so much that our dream was to make a living doing it. There are lots of ways to learn, which I discuss in my book, but it begins with taking that first step and going out to your local airport. Flying isn't a particularly difficult endeavor. It takes concentration and adherence to many rules and regulations. However, most women make better pilots since they are good at following instructions and can talk about their mistakes and learn from them. The advice in my book is meant to women and men. All of it work for the person who just wants to fly for fun, as a hobby. That's probably a great way to start out as there's no pressure, just the pleasure of learning a new skill.
What is the biggest misconception about being a professional pilot? And what personality trait is most important to develop for success?
Captain Karen M. Kahn
I think the huge salaries and the great glamor of the job. The salaries have declined dramatically over the past 10 years as we tend to pay for the mistakes of management. The glamor is rather limited at the end of many 16 hour days when you're expected to do your best even though you're dead tired and everything is going wrong. The most important personality trait needed for success is a positive outlook (once employed you're being paid to fly instead of vice versa) as well as the "I want to learn" attitude. Pilots will help you achieve anything you desire if you show them you're ready, willing and eager to learn. Be positive, friendly, open and pro-active. Don't be afraid to say "I don't know, but I'll find out and let you know the answer."
How do you handle stress management?
Captain Karen M. Kahn
Lots of deep breaths, reminding myself about the "big picture" and what my goals are. I often tell my co-pilot, after a long delay, " I can't go home until tomorrow (or whenever I'm through flying)" so this delay is just part of the game. Time is money, the more time, the more money -- beside they actually PAY me to do this job! It's one of the few in the world which you can't buy your way into. On the practical side, I drink lots of water, try to get plenty of sleep and exercise. Eat sensibly (I have to wear the same pair of uniform pants 8-10 days per month) and recognize that the older we get, the more slowly we need to move -- no more going at it like you're killing snakes. Good music on my iPod is another great help for stress, as is a good hot bath at night in my hotel room. Taking time for myself is important. Also, I remember that I'm not required to "act like one of the boys." I'm required to use good judgment, think before I act and remember who pays my salary.
Define balance?
Captain Karen M. Kahn
Nothing in excess, making sure all things and consequences are considered so I won't be saying later, "gee, I wish I hadn't done that." Good balance requires good planning and judgment. As I like to say, "learn from the mistakes of others...you'll never live long enough to make them all yourself!"
What might a beginning flight student be expected to learn and what might they be surprised at having to learn?
Captain Karen M. Kahn
How to plan ahead and remember you've got your life and your passenger's lives in your hands. As I like to say "how will it (your action) sound at the (NTSB) hearing." If the answer is not good, then don't do it!
What kinds of people would not be suited for this type of work?
Captain Karen M. Kahn
I think they might be surprised that judgment is a learned skill, particularly in flying. It's comprised of knowledge, and experience, and gained by studying the mistakes of others, asking their advice, posing what-if scenarios and knowing you can never be completely right...or wrong. Types of people NOT suited to flying are the impetuous ones who are flagrant rule breakers. The reckless and the careless will do very poorly in our business. We say there are no old, bold pilots. We survive in a very structured environment, even if you're just flying for fun. You endanger everyone else if you can't follow the rules.
Tell me about speaking?
Captain Karen M. Kahn
I enjoy speaking about my passion and how anyone can live their passion if they follow some common sense guidelines. My book has lots in it about marketing yourself (for whatever may be your passion) as well interviewing and networking. I like talking to groups about what I've learned over 31+ years of working in a world filled with men. How to excel at what you do, how to deal with setbacks and adversity, how to be proactive and plan ahead for your own success. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity -- a great guideline I very much endorse. I have a talk I enjoy called "Workplace Secrets to Success" that helps to empower women who work in worlds filled with men. Learning about how they think and how you can deal with the gender differences is a fun and fascinating adventure. I'm also very big on clear communications -- whatever your field. It amazes me as to how much mis-communication exists in our world, especially my workplace, where it's so crucial to our success.
What parting words of wisdom do you have for women who want to pursue a career as a pilot or any other male-dominated field?
Captain Karen M. Kahn
Learn your trade well, learn to laugh at yourself and keep showing your colleagues that you're ready, willing and eager to learn.
Captain Karen M. Kahn
CaptainKarenKahn.com, 933 Cheltenham Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 805-687-9493 fax 805-687-6226 e-mail captainkarenkahn@cox.net website www.AviationCareerCounseling.com.
Angelia Miller is the founder of Diva Maverick Mavens www.divamaverickmavens.com a new bread of feisty, non-conformist adventure loving adrenaline-high entrepreneur. The tag line is: Empowering Women by Interviewing Empowered Women...Inspiring "You" to Take ACTION! Casting exceptional dynamic talent for fresh content is the mission of Diva Maverick Mavens. The interview is in original transcript form with minimal editing to preserve the integrity of the content.
Angelia Miller is the founder of Diva Maverick Mavens www.divamaverickmavens.com a new bread of feisty, non-conformist adventure loving adrenaline-high entrepreneur. The tag line is: Empowering Women by Interviewing Empowered Women...Inspiring "You" to Take ACTION! Casting exceptional dynamic talent for fresh content is the mission of Diva Maverick Mavens. The interview is in original transcript form with minimal editing to preserve the integrity of the content.
Angelia Miller is the founder of Diva Maverick Mavens www.divamaverickmavens.com a new bread of feisty, non-conformist adventure loving adrenaline-high entrepreneur. The tag line is: Empowering Women by Interviewing Empowered Women...Inspiring "You" to Take ACTION! Casting exceptional dynamic talent for fresh content is the mission of Diva Maverick Mavens. The interview is in original transcript form with minimal editing to preserve the integrity of the content.
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