CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS - VOL. 4
Monica Mieles
CURRENT POSITION
First Officer at Spirit Airlines
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Airbus A300-60ST
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Chase something so meaningful that even the most catastrophic failure couldn’t keep you from trying again.” -Unknown
FUN FACT
I’m a pilot who is afraid of heights.
María Ligia Sánchez Vega
CURRENT POSITION
Licensed Flight Dispatcher
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
All Airbus, but in love with the A380
FAVORITE QUOTE
“The sky is not the limit; it’s just the beginning.” –Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
FUN FACT
I am a free soul who loves to travel alone.
Abigail Santos
CURRENT POSITION
Aviation Student
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Grumman A-6 Intruder
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Turbulence is the only way to get altitude.” -Kelly Corrigan, Lift
FUN FACT
I was adopted at 19 by my high school science teacher. I wouldn’t consider my adoption a traditional one, but it was a life-saving, extraordinary event that led me to my passion–aviation.
Maria Jose Montero Cordero
“CURRENT POSITION
Flight Instructor
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
747, Queen of the skies!
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Follow your passion, be prepared to work hard and sacrifice. Most importantly, do not let anyone limit your dreams.” -Carlos and Lucia, my parents
FUN FACT
I fell in love with CrossFit and fitness, and I am an L1 CrossFit Coach.
Karina Ramirez
Current Position
First Officer Airbus A320 FAM
Favorite Aircraft
Airbus A350
Favorite Quote
“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it.” -Elizabeth Gilbert
Fun Fact
I always scream when I hear a song I like, no matter where I am or who I’m with. People who don’t know me usually get scared at first, but then they just laugh. I’m passionate about music from all eras and genres, and it’s easy to find me singing wherever I am, even though I don’t sing well.
Zurisadai Quiñones
CURRENT POSITION
English Teacher and Advanced Ground Instructor
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Cessna 150
FAVORITE QUOTE
“The willingness to struggle, to adapt, to grow, is what allows you to succeed and to thrive.” -Irwin, my 12th grade teacher
FUN FACT
When I was 17, I took my first solo road trip from Florida to Connecticut in my 1998 stick-shift Honda Accord.
Daniela Raymundo Furphy
Current Position
Student pilot
Favorite Aircraft
G8 Airvan
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Never let the odds keep you from pursuing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.” – Rear Admiral Nancy Hann
FUN FACT
My favorite animal is the shark.
Ashley Rose Legrand
CURRENT POSITION
Flight Attendant
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Airbus A321
FAVORITE QUOTE
“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”- Robert Schuller
FUN FACT
I am a former professional bodybuilder.
Silvana Vasquez
CURRENT POSITION
KBFI Airport Data Analyst and aspiring pilot
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
F/A – 18 Hornets and Boeing 747
FAVORITE QUOTE
“The sky is home to the dreamers of the earth.” -Leonardo da Vinci.
FUN FACT
I got a tattoo of the first airplane I ever flew. Talk about love!
Hilda G. Cortes
CURRENT POSITION
Airway Transportation System Specialist/Operation Support Specialist
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Cessna 182 (Aircraft used during my first tandem skydiving jump)
FAVORITE QUOTE
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” -Eleanor Roosevelt
FUN FACT
During my first year at college, I had the opportunity to visit South Africa and install photovoltaic panels at rural schools.
Cynthia Salgado López
CURRENT POSITION
First Officer of Boeing 737 NG/MAX at Aeromexico
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
B737 MAX 9
FAVORITE QUOTE
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”-Eleanor Roosevelt
FUN FACT
I’ve had the unique opportunity to share the flight deck with my father, sister, and husband.
Adriana Ocampo Senior
CURRENT POSITION
Senior Manager, Portfolio Management at Global Technical Operations & Safety,
Boeing Global Services
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT:
F/A-18 Super Hornet
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Have the courage to embrace your faith and confidence; and refuse to allow challenges, doubters, or setbacks to have power in your life.” -Joan Robinson-Berry
FUN FACT
I am an advanced open water diver and like skydiving.
Amanda de Souza Santos
CURRENT POSITION
Administrator of Aircraft Warranty
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Phenom 300E
FAVORITE QUOTE
Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21
FUN FACT
I teach Bible classes to the youth on Sundays at the church.
Jordan Diaz
CURRENT POSITION
Aviation Student
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
F18
FAVORITE QUOTE
“In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night. And so you will love to watch all the stars…You–only you–will have stars that can laugh.” -Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
FUN FACT
I’ve been part of a flyover for the opening ceremony for the Utah summer games.
Lourdes Tatiana Gonzalez
CURRENT POSITION
Dispatch Supervisor
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
E175 and 787
FAVORITE QUOTE
“If it was easy, everyone would do it.” -Bob Parsons
FUN FACT
I lived in Mexico for one year when I was six and almost forgot how to speak English.
Misty Peña
CURRENT POSITION
Assistant Manager, FAA Flight Standards Service, Special Emphasis Investigations Team
FAVORITE QUOTE
“God is within her, she will not fail.” Psalm 46:5
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
P51 Mustang
FUN FACT
I love to dance “anywhere and everywhere,” even when no one else hears the music.
Ayana Sanchez
CURRENT POSITION
Student Pilot and Aviation Photographer
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Boeing 777-300 ER
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Let your dreams take flight, for in the sky, there are no limits. Embrace the challenges, defy the odds, and soar higher than you ever imagined.” -Lieutenant Olga E. Custodio
FUN FACT
I’ve been to London four times.
Sonia Quiñones
CURRENT POSITION
FAA Operations Supervisor
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Bombardier Global Express.
FAVORITE QUOTE
“If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” -Woody Allen (from a Yiddish Proverb)
FUN FACT
I can fly jet airplanes and control air traffic, but Excel spreadsheets are a complete mystery.
Angela Vallardes
CURRENT POSITION
Material Logistics Specialist
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Airbus 319 because it reminds me of my many trips back home
FAVORITE QUOTE
“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
FUN FACT
My first desire in aviation was to become an in-flight refueling specialist.
Martha Vera Araujo
CURRENT POSITION
Boeing 787 Commander, Aeroméxico
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Boeing 777
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Shine and let shine.” -Unknown
FUN FACT
I had the honor of making flights to China to bring medical and sanitary supplies during the Covid pandemic when flights were restricted.
Claudia Zapata-Cardone
CURRENT POSITION
Captain of the Airbus 320 & Line Check Pilot
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Airbus 320
FAVORITE QUOTE
“It is not true that people stop pursuing their dreams because they grow old; they grow old because they stop pursuing their dreams.” -Gabriel Garcia Marquez
FUN FACT
I am a classically trained pianist.
Aranza Figueroa
CURRENT POSITION
Aviation Student
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Boeing 787-9
FAVORITE QUOTE
“I decided to fly through life in search of adventure instead of sitting around waiting for it to come to me.” -Amelia Earhart
FUN FACT
I like sushi, the beach, the sun, and the feeling of flying a plane.
Zaury Trinidad
CURRENT POSITION
Coordinator – Line Operations in Flight Operations
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
L-1011 / F-14
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Everybody is necessarily the hero of his/ her own imagination.” -Franz Kafka
FUN FACT
My favorite thing to do is volunteer at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson military lounge during the holidays.
Patricia Castellon
CURRENT POSITION
Captain of Airbus 320, since 2018
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Airbus A350
FAVORITE QUOTE
“The doors are open; it is up to you to be prepared at the moment to take advantage of the opportunity you are looking for.” -Patricia Claudia Castellón Del Barco
FUN FACT
When my son was very little, his primary school friends didn’t believe that his mother was a pilot; they thought I was wearing a costume.
Tania Helena
CURRENT POSITION
Sr. International Program Analyst for Flight Operations
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
A321 271NX named “Allow Me To Introduce Myself” (N4048J)
MY FAVORITE QUOTE
“All things work together for good to them that love God.” –Romans 8:28
FUN FACT
I could dance, and watch planes taxiing, taking off, and landing for hours, and never get bored.
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