How My Daughter Learned to Fly a Plane Thanks to Delta, Chick-fil-a, Coca-Cola

How My Daughter Learned to Fly a Plane Thanks to Delta, Chick-fil-a, Coca-Cola

by | Aug 14, 2014

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of #Chick-fil-a, #Delta, and #Coca-Cola (all Atlanta-based companies) my daughter got to learn to fly a plane practically for free! The Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP) program was created to give minority kids an introduction to the aviation industry and a chance to learn how to fly planes.

How it All Began

Last year she went to OBAP Aviation Career Experience (ACE) academy to learn about aviation careers and did quite well. This summer I encouraged my daughter to apply for the OBAP Solo Flight Academy where she could learn how to fly a plane.

She went through the application and interview process and was chosen as an alternate. Because someone couldn’t make it she was able to take the spot. It was meant to be. We got the paperwork in including a medical exam because she’d have to be fit to fly.

A Little Sacrifice for a lot of Reward

Now the sacrifice would come because it is a two week camp, it’s an hour away, and I had to pay $150. But the sacrifice was worth it to me because she’s my child.
We made arrangements for her to stay with my sister who lived closer to the academy. She would have to drive everyday to classes and I’d have to cough up the money. But she’s worth every penny and that money was a drop in the bucket compared to what it could have cost.

A Unicorn in the Making

Now that the course is complete she is among the rare league of African-American women who know how to fly a plane. She may become a pilot someday and get the Unicorn designation. Why unicorn? Because like the mythical creature, very few people have ever seen an African-American pilot.

flightlineLexi

 

The Next Steps

If my daughter decides to become a pilot she will have to go through a series of steps. The first goal is to get her private pilot’s license. Next is to either attend a flight school and get more flying time or go to university and get a degree, then join a flight training program. Finally, she will apply to become a pilot for any number of companies that need pilots. It may be a private or commercial company.

She loves flying so I’m going to help her in anyway I can make that dream come true. There are many people in our circle who is connected to the airline industry that will help her as well. She’s made even more connections recently after attending the annual OBAP conference. She met pilots from Delta, Fedex, Chick-fil-a, UPS, ExpressJet, and a few others.

A Future So Bright She’ll Have to Wear (Aviator) Shades

To have a bright future she has to prepare and do the work. She’s already begun the journey so she’s off to a good start, but she has to keep moving forward no matter what.

As with all careers it’s important to connect with people who are in the position she wants to be in. There are membership organizations she can join including women aviator associations, minority aviation associations, and private pilot organizations. Each offers something different but all offers support, scholarships, and a sense of community.

She plans to go on to college to get a degree then go on to be a commercial pilot. I know that whatever she decides to do will be a success. This kid is simply too amazing for words.

Thanks for letting me share with you and brag about my daughter. 🙂

RichSingleMomma.com Top 9 Posts of 2012: The Year of Getting Finances in Order

RichSingleMomma.com Top 9 Posts of 2012: The Year of Getting Finances in Order

by | Dec 30, 2012

RSM Single Mom Money Review2012

This year on RichSingleMomma I tried to focus more on the financial side of single motherhood. It can be ugly sometimes but it doesn’t have to be a permanent state. With planning, budgeting, and a little ingenuity we can turn things around.

Here are the top 9 post on the website. Most relate to money but there are a few other top posts in there too. Click the titles to read the posts.

1. 7 Free Budget Worksheet for Single Moms

This is pretty self explanatory. I highlighted 7 free budget worksheets for single moms to use. Getting your money under control is top priority if you want to see more in the future.

2. 13 Things I Hate About Being a Single Mom

This post has been a the top for a while. Let’s face it, sometimes we hate being single moms but it’s not because of the kids but because of the bad wrap we get in the media, the crazy remarks of family, friends, and stranger too. Check out what makes me the craziest about being a single mom. Don’t judge me 😉

3. Single Mom Advice: How to Make Cash Quickly

A single mom wrote me needing advice about how to get some quick cash. In this post I shared a few ways she could get some quick cash. You might find a few ideas to help you in a crunch.

4. Quick and Easy Ways to Make Extra Money

Another post about making quick money if you have more month at the end of your regularly earned money.

5. 15 Easy Ways to Sell Your Stuff for Cash

Sometimes we have to sell stuff to get cash in hand. This post lists 15 ways you can do that by selling your stuff. Sometimes we have to part with cherished items until we get back on our fee.

6. Ignore Deadbeat Daddies and Bid Farewell to Child Support Dependence

This is one of my favorite posts. I’ve seen it time and time again. Single moms gripe, complain, incarcerate, and malign their baby’s father for not paying child support. Sure it’s hard and it’s unfair, but to live in a state of constant fighting is not the way to get what you need. I am suggesting a better way to get your needs met.

7. Disney On Ice: Dare to Dream aka The Princess Party in Atlanta, GA!

This post is about me and my kids going to the Disney on Ice event. It was fun and a blast to see all the Disney Princesses. We got to see them all again at a recent trip to Disney World too.

8. How to Become Self-Sufficient and Financially Independent as a New Single Mom

This post is a backup post to the Ignore Deadbeat Daddies post. It’s for single moms who are new to the game because they got divorced, their husband passed away, or they were deserted by their boyfriend. The goal is to help them (and you) see that you can become self-sufficient and financially independent even though you are a single mom.

9. Single Mom Budgeting on a Limited Budget

Raising a kid on $12k a year seems impossible, but with a lot of creativity and using the resources around you it can work. This post is about how to budget your money when money is very tight. I did it and you can too!

Well those are the top articles on RichSingleMomma.com. Go read them if you haven’t already and leave a comment if you have already read them. Share them with other single moms you know and come back to see what’s in store for next year. I’m declaring 2013 The Year of Living Fearlessly and Fabulously. I hope you will make that the theme for your 2013 as well.

Is this a Good Time to Playing the Stock Market?

by | Nov 1, 2011

Everyone is talking about the ecomomy and how bad things are. Politicians and big business men are playing ping-pong with our emotions and wallets.

Everywhere I turn I hear about the 1% versus the 99%. Occupy Wall Street and various other offshoot “Occupy” groups are springing up all over the country.

With all this noise I wonder if it’s a good time to play the stock market. So many people are distracted because of the news coverag and naysayers. Is this a good time to be playing the stock market?

The reality is, business goes on and as usual. The stock market is still moving forward. People are still buying goods and services and companies are still making money.

Even in a recession we still need food, clothing, gas, shelter, and numerous other things. As  idealistic as it is to want to boycott, sit down, and/or be an activist life still goes on. We can complain about what happening or we can do something about it.

I think there are opportunities in the stock market, but it requires education and innovative thought. For me I have to get input from an experienced person that I can trust. There are many online brokerage services and products like Scottrade that offer quick and inexpensive options to jump into the market.

For me, I need a bit more hand holding and guidance. A while ago I spoke to an investment adviser that seemed on the up and up. He seemed genuinely interested in helping me set up accounts, transfer my retirement fund, and start making money to fund my dreams.

Thankfully I have a little nest egg to turn over which will make getting started much simpler and less stressful. I won’t have to figure out how to get the money to put into the market and beginning playing with the big boys.

Someday soon, I’ll be sitting pretty with a diverse portfolio of my favorite companies. In the meantime, I’m back to the grindstone to make a dollar out of 15 cents like everyone else. 🙂

Domestic Violence and Abuse Escapees Find Depression and Hope on the Road to Rebuilding Their Lives

by | Oct 3, 2011

Atlanta, GA–Every year thousands of women find the courage to escape domestic violence and abuse. They find the strength to leave because of the support of family and friends or an agency that lends a helping hand. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics 21% of women contact an outside agency for help. Out of that number 45% contact a private agency.

However, millions of women remain because they do not see a way out, mostly because they do not have the means to make the escape. It takes time, a plan, and money to move out and move on independently. Without money they are (more…)