Abigail Ingle

My journey into aviation began in an unexpected way. After graduating high school, I spent years as a horse trainer and initially wanted to become a veterinarian. However, when I realized the reality of $200,000 in student debt, I reconsidered. My father, a retired Air Force pilot who also got his ratings as a civilian to teach people how to fly, asked me back in 2014 if I wanted to learn to fly. At first, I told him I wanted to be a vet, but after changing my mind, I asked him to teach me, and I'm not sure who was more excited - me, him, or my mom. My father and I are incredibly close, and my whole family is really tight-knit. He supported me all the way through learning to fly, from private pilot through instrument, commercial, and commercial multi, teaching me everything I know. I'm originally from China and was adopted when I was young. My family traveled all across the world before we came to North Carolina. I was blessed to have my college paid for through my dad's GI Bill, and he made a deal with me to pay for college if I made straight A's. I attended Liberty University online and completed my bachelor's degree in aviation with a professional pilot concentration in just two years flat, though it was incredibly stressful. My flight ratings counted toward my degree, so there were times I was taking 30-plus credit hours. I made the Dean's List every semester. Now, as a contract corporate pilot and first officer, I work as a freelancer, picking up contracts and flying to destinations across the United States and the islands. I've attained 3 type ratings in under a year, which is like getting a bachelor's degree in 3 weeks - an enormous amount of information compressed into intense study and simulator practice. My responsibilities go far beyond just flying - I handle communications, set up the jet, load baggage, manage the avionics and FMS, talk to ATC, restock the jet, play a flight attendant role, handle special passenger requests, book hotels, arrange rental cars, and manage a lot of administrative work. I work in the Part 91 world, often getting to know the jet owners personally and building what I call families all across the United States. What I'm most proud of is simply making it in this field and putting my foot in the door, building connections with top industry leaders, and holding my own as usually the youngest and only woman in the entire room. I'm proud of sticking to who I am and not trying to act like someone I'm not. Whether someone likes it or not, I'm just me, and I move with dignity and grace as my mom taught me.