Women at the cockpit

Bilha Gohole Amadi, 28,

First Officer B767, Kenya Airways

Roots

Growing up, I always thought I would be an architect and even took architecture at JKUAT. But in my third year, during my attachment, I saw an advert from Kenya Airways in the newspaper. They were looking for cadet pilots for training. When I saw the Ad, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to be a pilot, and so I applied. I was selected for the Abinito training project. We trained for 22 months in Ethiopia. Back in Kenya, I converted my licence to have a Kenyan one, a process that basically involves an exam. Since then I have never looked back.

This is my day

Geraldine Waruguru Gitau

I cannot wait to get my triple seven rating and be able to pilot a Triple Seven Boeing and also hope to learn to pilot an Embraer 190, which is a small but sophisticated aeroplane. I believe in being the master of all trades both small and big.

Geraldine Waruguru Gitau, 24,

First Officer B737, Kenya Airways

Roots

My dad is a ship captain and growing up I always wanted to be that. But my dad was not amused because he believed that the conditions were not conducive for a woman, so he suggested that I try piloting. He then took me to Moi International Airport and introduced me to a friend of his who worked for the Airforce. His friend then took me to the cockpit of a plane and that was the day I fell in love and knew without a doubt that I wanted to be a pilot.

This is my day

Last Saturday, I was flying to Kinshasa, so I had to get up early, prepare for the day as I looked through my flight manuals. I am lucky that I live near South B and so if I leave the house at 6am, I will be the airport a half hour later. At the airport, we go through security procedures before the Captain and I are picked by the staff van and taken to the Operations Control Centre, where we are briefed by the Flight Dispatchers before every flight. The flight takes two and half to three hours depending on the wind. Once we land, we have to refuel the aircraft and prepare for an hour. We fly back to Nairobi for another three hours.

On the lighter side

It is a very exciting and exhilarating job. There is nothing like it and for me it is a dream come true. As long as I am flying, I am a very happy girl. I could not have asked for anything more, God has truly blessed me.

Challenges

I am still very young but as I grow older, the challenge of settling down and raising a family will eventually arise because of the flying out and being away from family. But right now I am just enjoying myself and trying to excel as much as I can.

Get it firsthand

Do something you love because once you love what you are doing, then the challenges will not be so discouraging. In fact they will make you more determined

I see the future

I am going to be a captain and then complete my training and be able to fly the Boeing 777. At the moment, I am training to fly the Boeing 767. I would also love to fly a Dream Liner and a Boeing 787, which is the biggest plane currently.

Mary Mukulu Kai, 34,

First Officer B767, Kenya Airways

Roots

I originally wanted to be an Architect but when a close friend of mine got married to a pilot, I got a glimpse into his life and it was like his life was a light bulb for me. I went to the USA and studied flying for four years at the St Louis University but returned back to Kenya, did conversion of my American licence to a Kenyan one and later got hired by Kenya Airways.

This is my day

Right now I am not flying because I am expectant, but my last flight was to Guangzhou in China. I usually get up at around five because I have to be at the airport by 6.30am, an hour before departure. After briefing which takes about an hour, the aeroplane takes off at 7.30am. The flight usually takes five hours to reach Dubai where we rest for a day and then proceed to China. It is usually an eight-hour journey depending on the wind. Once in Guangzhou in China, we usually rest for two days before making a return journey with a stop in Dubai for a day.

On the lighter side

Being a pilot is a very challenging job but worth it. I love my job because it is never monotonous. We travel to different destinations and meet different people. It is a very exciting job that is never boring. Also, the view from above never ceases to fascinate; every time it blows me away with its beauty, it does not matter how many times I fly.

Challenges

Flying is a very demanding profession. I am always on my toes. We are constantly doing checks and every six months we have to sit for refresher assessments so you always have to keep on reading. The reading never stops.

Get it first hand

There is this myth that if a woman joins a profession like mine, that she will not find a husband and will find it hard to raise a family. But it is only a myth, not reality. Once you learn how to balance your life, then anything is possible. You can be a good wife to your husband and a good mother to your children.

To all young women who want to become pilots, I would say go for it. It will be challenging just like any good thing that is worth having in this world. But it will be worth your effort.

I see the future

I look forward to flying a Boeing 777 and the dream liner when it arrives around 2010. I would also love to be a Captain in the near future. Now I am still a first officer.