Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariana Chavez.
Hi Ariana, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am an airline pilot for Southwest Airlines. 7% of pilots are women worldwide and I am one of the 4% at my company. Even less that I am also a Hispanic single mother. I have no family in aviation. When I was 19 years old in college I made a major shift from wanting to be a teacher to deciding I could still teach and learn how to fly airplanes as well. I took my first flight in a small Cessna 172 out of a San Diego airport and stretched my wings for the first time. I moved schools into a full time university flight program. I decided to become a mother during my instrument certification during my junior year of college. The idea that having a child may put my dream on hold never once crossed my mind. I passed my instrument certification at 9 months pregnant and was back at school 2 weeks after my son was born. He was the greatest gift and motivation to live my dreams. I did a dispatch minor and had to complete my dispatch certification while holding my newborn child. My examiner was a wonderful woman who took turns holding my son while I showed her the information I worked for years to burn into my brain. I passed my certification and moved forward. Certification by certification. Class by class. I graduated with a bachelors in aviation flight and a minor in aviation dispatch in 2020 with my son cheering me on from his grandma’s arms in the stands. I lived my dream of teaching as well. I taught students how to fly airplanes. I gave them their own wings as I built hours towards my ultimate goal of flying jets. I had many students most of which I keep track of professionally today. Most of my time teaching, I had my son as a happy passenger in the back seat. I interviewed for my first jet job at JSX in the summer of 2022, and started training shortly after. One and a half months later of emergency simulator procedures and technical knowledge of the Embraer 145, I was flying on the line as a First Officer out of Las Vegas. I moved from my family in Southern California for the first time and figured out a schedule for my son with my mom and sisters filling in gaps as best they could. I got used to the plane quickly and upgraded within 6 months to Captain. For this upgrade I moved to Dallas Texas. The world of flying became so much more vast as I learned routes from east coast to west coast including thunderstorms and airports I had never flown into before. It was exciting and fulfilling every single day. I was trained to make calls and think on my feet, every flight was different even if it was the same destinations. In August of 2023 I was called for an interview with Southwest Airlines. Within 12 hours of my interview I was picked for a moved up class date and by October of 2023 I was training in the Boeing 737. This aircraft was by far the most challenging I had ever learned and I was up for it! Two full months and then one month flying with a training captain on the line and I was in my dream job. I brought my son and my mom on my flight as soon as possible. I have now been a First Officer for Southwest Airlines for almost 3 years. I will be on the seniority list to move up to Captain in approximately 3 more years. I look forward to continuing my passions in volunteer work with Women in Aviation International and Southwest’s Adopt-a-Pilot program. My son is my biggest supporter and motivation. I may be in my dream career but at 31 years old I know for a fact I am just getting started. I can’t wait to see where life takes me from here.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As a woman in a male dominated career I had obstacles. Most of my professional mentors were men with different struggles than I. When I became a mother my struggles in school were my own and my own alone. I had to work in feeding schedules and nap times with my school and flying schedule. Maintaining my hours in the airplane meant bringing my son along or finding a babysitter. I worked as a bartender at night and had to rely heavily on my sister and mother. I’m so grateful to have had the village I had.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an airline pilot at Southwest Airlines. The official title is First Officer. I’m known for flying airplanes. I specialize in backing up my Captain and ensuring every flight is a safe and productive one even when setbacks occur or events change. I am one of the 4% of women pilots at my company. I am most proud of being an example to my son that any dream is possible with ambition and work ethic. Most people in my career stop here. I know I am just barely getting started and from here my goal is to inspire and help others know they can live their dreams as well.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
There is always a way to move forward. Discipline and hard work beat out natural talent in the long run. Aviation gets hard and it’s easy to doubt but pushing past that and seeing the sunset from 37,000ft is something very few people get to experience. It will always be worth it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @aviatrixariana
