Jackie Liu | Flight Instructor
Jackie is a Denver, CO-based flight instructor and check airman for McAir Aviation, a flight school located at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan airport in Broomfield, CO. Her job is to train pilots to meet and exceed the FAA’s safety standard—which is arguably one of the most important roles in the aviation industry at-large. With goals of flying jets for an airline one day, she’s an a lover of travel, adventure, good food, and her home state of California, and believes that life is about the journey, not the destination—and that half the fun is in getting there.
The Basics:
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Current city: Denver, CO
Alma mater: University of CA, Santa Cruz
Degree: B.S., Earth Science
Very first job: Surf shop at the mall, haha
Hustle: Flight Instructor
The Interests:
Babe you admire and why?
Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan is a retired astronaut and geologist who was the first U.S. woman to conduct a spacewalk. She is a UC Santa Cruz alumni, and I remember reading her bio in the Earth Science Building atrium when I was a freshman in college. If I ever need some inspiration or a kick in the pants, I just think, “Did Dr. Sullivan doubt herself when she was being launched into space!? No! Now get to work.”
If you could fly anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I’d probably say Alaska and fly over some glaciers and huge mountains… or I’ve seen people land on river banks. That would be awesome! If I were to book an airline ticket anywhere in the world, I’d definitely want to go to Japan and eat all the sushi or ramen I could get my hands on.
What album have you been blasting through your speakers recently?
I used to work at a public radio station in Los Angeles called KCRW, so I’m a huge radio fan; I listen to Colorado’s Indie 102.3 during my commute to work. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard also has a great album out now called Butterfly 3000.
The best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
My mom always told me to own my own emotions and not let the words or actions of others affect me. I am responsible for my own happiness—not anyone else.
What’re your favorite things about living in Denver?
Snow days! I love watching the snow start to fall and then pile up on top of my car. I make super spicy ginger tea all day and cook some fatty dinner. Then the next morning when the sun is out, everything is bright white and glorious! I’m from Southern California so I experienced very little variation of weather most of my life; shoveling snow off the sidewalk is still a novelty for me.
The Hustle:
Tell us about your hustle.
I’m a certified flight instructor and check airman for McAir Aviation in Broomfield, CO; it’s my job to train pilots to meet and exceed the FAA’s safety standards. I have a variety of students who range from private pilot to those who are seeking advanced ratings like Instrument or Commercial Multi-Engine. My goal is to give them the tools to be able to evaluate all the risks associated with flying an airplane. As a check airman, I evaluate students on their knowledge and flying abilities before they are sent to an FAA examiner. Flight instructors are probably one of the most important jobs in the aviation industry, as they prepare the forthcoming generation of aviators. The industry is centered around safety, safety, safety—and I make sure that I pass on that culture and hold it to its highest standard.
Walk us through your first time flying solo. What’s your favorite memory from the experience?
I got to solo with a few of my friends, which was a great time! We all lined up in a single file and flew around the airport pattern. My friend Grant queued up the tower and tried to warn all aircraft, “tower, there are some animals on the runway.” Tower then asked “…what kind of animals?” And he said, “it seems to be a coyote and a… baby coyote.” It just cracks me up to this day.
What’s been your biggest career learning experience? How does it affect the way you teach?
My biggest learning experience is patience, and in allowing my students the opportunity to make mistakes and learn. Sometimes I catch myself getting frustrated with them, but I remember that when I was learning how to fly, I was messing up left and right!
How have your past professional and academic experiences and lessons prepared you for the work you do today? How have they not prepared you?
When I was in high school I was not academically inclined at all. I didn’t care for good grades. Maybe I was lazy, maybe I was bored, but definitely disinterested. I never felt smart, nor did I ever challenge myself. In college, I felt like I was missing a part of my education: math and science. I took an Intro to Geology class as a gen ed requirement, and loved it. Fast forward a few years, I looked at aviation in the same lens. Just do it! You can achieve anything you put your mind to.
How has being a woman impacted your professional experiences? What can we collectively do to support and empower women in your industry today?
When I started flight training in Colorado, I immediately joined the local Women in Aviation Chapter. The group has seriously been an amazing community of aerospace engineers and pilots ranging from student pilots to retired airline pilots. I have met so many capable and smart lady pilots, I have barely noticed that we are a small minority in the industry. In aviation and other industries alike, we need to remember that other women aren’t the competition. We are a community. It’s important to mentor those who are just starting out. If anyone has anything to say about your abilities because you’re a woman, just remember what my Mom said about letting other people affect you: “They are probably just projecting their insecurities onto you.”
What’s one thing you’re proud to have accomplished in your career thus far?
Taking my mom and dad flying has definitely been the most proud moment for me. They were my biggest supporters through flight training, so I wanted to make them proud.
What’s the weirdest/funniest thing that you’ve seen while flying?
So, there are these people who jump out of perfectly good airplanes called “skydivers.” And they do it FOR FUN! I see them at Longmont airport all the time. We call them “meat missiles.”
When you’re not in the clouds, how do you typically spend your free time on the ground?
I’m a surfer at heart, but moved away from the beach to focus on flying. Here in the mountains, I go skateboarding and snowboarding as much as I can. Nothing beats ocean water, though! At home, I cook with my boyfriend all the time—sometimes we manage to use every dish, bowl and spoon in the entire kitchen.
Do you have any routines that keep you balanced throughout the day?
The best time to fly in the summer is the early morning before it gets turbulent and too hot. I’m not a morning person, but I’m usually up at 5AM. I have a cold brew coffee steeping the night before, and usually have my “snack” lunch packed as well. I have students back-to-back, so I don’t always have time to sit and eat a meal. A banana and a GoMacro bar are my favorites, and usually hold me over!
Career and/or life advice for other babes?
Life is about the journey, not the destination—and half the fun is getting there! I’m still time building and am hoping to fly jets for an airline one day, but I’m having a great time flying small general aviation airplanes and enjoying my time buzzing around Denver!
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