For 20-plus years, Heather Pitsenbarger has been raising children. The Bridgeport resident and mother of four decided it is time to spread her own wings and fly.  Earlier this month, she completed her first cross country solo flights and Tuesday, she tested with an NFA examiner, passed an oral exam and practice check ride, officially becoming a licensed private pilot.

 

 

Pitsenbarger began her flight training at Fairmont State University’s aviation program in Bridgeport about two years ago and completed it at Paragon Flight Training in Fort Myers, Fla.

 

“I did 70 hours with the Fairmont State program. It is great. There are wonderful instructors and great students,” she said, adding that two knee surgeries and conflicts with her children’s schedules were among reasons she decided to head south to wrap up her training.

 

“It was just taking a little longer than I wanted to get my private pilot’s license,” she said. “I just thought it would be best to get away for a week or two and focus on it.”

 

As she and her husband Shanon have rental property at North Captiva Island, Pitsenbarger said she is familiar with the area and felt comfortable completing her flight training in southwest Florida.

 

Requirements of a cross country flight, she explains, is flying solo to an airport 60 miles away and making the return trip. That Nov. 5 flight was successful and shortly thereafter, she completed her first nighttime cross country flight, flying from Page Field to Sarasota, Fla., following the coastline and watching landmarks.

 

There’s something about being in the air that is unlike anything else in the world, Pitsenbarger said.

 

“Flying by myself is a pretty amazing experience. Everything up in the air is so peaceful, calm and quiet,” she said.

 

Pitsenbarger worked at the FBI CJIS Division for several years and was a stay-at-home mom for a handful of years, too. She said it’s always been in the back of her mind that she would someday love to learn to fly. There was no particular reason or person who inspired her, but she found out later that she is not the first woman in her family to aspire to take to the skies.

 

“I found out that my grandmother – my dad’s mom – had worked on her flight training back in the ‘50s,” she said.

 

She admits that the goal was at one time a little overwhelming, but once she dove in, it became second nature.

 

“It’s like of like learning to drive a car. You grow up watching your parents drive, so you observe and learn,” she said. “You go into a plane and kind of do the same thing: Observe, see people, who show and teach you.”

 

Now that becoming a licensed pilot is become reality, it is a little surreal, Pitsenbarger admits. She’s very excited, as are her children and husband.

 

“Shanon has been 100 percent supportive. He’s just the best,” she said.

 

Their two youngest children, Bryson and Tayla – both students at Heritage Christian School – even have their own aspirations to learn to fly. Perhaps one day she will teach them. 

 

“My plan is to keep going down this path and eventually become a flight instructor,” Pitsenbarger said. “I want to give back to FSU by working there and helping to get more kids involved in the program. It’s a great industry with plenty of room for growth and opportunity and there aren’t a lot of women.”

 

Kali and Jack – who this May will graduate from Fairmont State University and Notre Dame High School, respectively – are also proud of their mom’s accomplishments.

 

Everyone in the family will benefit, Pitsenbarger said.

 

“Things are so much closer now. We can fly to Cedar Point or to the Baltimore area where we have family and get there so much faster,” she said.

 

Pitsenbarger returns to West Virginia to work on her instrument rating at the FSU Aviation. She's excited for the next step of her venture. Sometimes, if you're patient and persistent, dreams really can come true, Pitsenbarger said.

 

"Do not ever give up on your dreams," she said. "Sometimes the road you are on in life may have more twists, turns and maybe even some switchbacks than you would like, but it doesn't mean you will not get there. I have shown my children to not quit and that hard work does pay off."