She Learned to Fly at 49. Now She Wants the Next Generation of Girls to Look Up

September 19, 2026 is International Girls in Aviation Day, marking the 12 th year that the special day encourages females of all ages to dare to fly high. It's a great time to consider other female pilots and how they can encourage the next generation to become pilots, as well as offer tips and advice on how to make it happen. The more girls are introduced to the field and given the means to make it happen, we will be helping girls to chase their dreams and earn their wings. "I didn't become a pilot until I was 49, so I'm here to say that it doesn't matter what age you are. Aviation is for females of all ages," said Michelle Smith, co-founder of Untethered Aviation. "You are never too young to start exploring the path and working your way toward the field of flying, and you are never too old to think you can't get your pilot license. It's all possible!" After spending years working in professional education and being a former head of school, Smith followed her dream of becoming a pilot. She then took it a step further and co-founded an aviation school, helping people of all ages to earn their pilot license. The flight school gives people the opportunity to explore aviation and make it a part of their lives, whether for professional or personal reasons. Girls who look up to the sky and have an interest in becoming a pilot may want to explore the field as a career path, or simply as a personal hobby. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers is around $226,000, while it is around $122,000 annually for commercial pilots. Girls interested in becoming a commercial or airline pilot as a career field will want to consider earning a bachelor's degree in any field and obtaining flight training, as well as commercial experience if that's the route that interests them. International Girls Aviation Day focuses on introducing girls ages 8 to 18 to the careers in aviation. Females of all ages who are interested in exploring the field of aviation, whether to become a pilot as a career field or as a hobby, may want to keep these tips in mind: Take a test flight. The first thing to do for those interested in flying is to take what is called a discovery flight. This will give the person a first-hand experience of what it is like to be a pilot. Test flights are typically offered at all aviation schools, making it easy to take this first step. Tour schools. Find flight schools in your area and take a tour of them. See if there is interest and what type of programs are offered. Take the time to ask any questions so you leave with all the answers you need to make decisions about going forward. Find local groups. Many areas of the country offer groups that focus on flying, and some are especially for those under the age of 18. Spending time with other young people who are interested in flying is a good way to get more information and share the love of the field. Look for flight simulators. Find the flight simulators in your area and give them a try. These offer another opportunity to see what it's like to fly. There are also programs that can be used at home that will further provide simulation experience. Consider academics. Depending on the type of pilot you want to be, you can choose academic classes that will enhance the experience. Talk to your academic advisor about the best classes to take to give you a leg up in the field, including physics and math. Get flight hours. There is no age limit on logging your hours. Look for opportunities to do that, so as the milestone years approach, you will already be a seasoned pilot and ready for the next step. You must be 16 to solo the plane and 17 to earn the actual license but no age limit on logging hours. "Flying is freedo...