Flight Training - October 2019 - 23

FIVE QUESTIONS

SUSAN BELL

SHE LOVES HER PINK 'PLANE BABY'
Susan Bell works at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, where she spends a lot of time with the public
talking about Earth science. She has put her piloting background
to work flying a mission studying snowpack in California to
improve water management. Her general aviation background
is as varied as her career: Bell is a certificated flight instructor,
has a commercial glider certificate, and competes in aerobatic
competitions in her blue-and-pink Extra 300. She won the U.S.
National Sportsman Aerobatic Championship in 2018.
How did you get started in aviation? Growing up I wanted to
be an astronaut and even went to Space Camp in junior high,
but had no exposure to aviation. I ended up pursuing a career
in the film and television industry, which in turn led to my
current communications work for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. I was already in my 30s when I visited NASA Dryden
Flight Research Center, and there it dawned on me that most
astronauts were also pilots. I completed my private pilot
training in four short months with the Alameda Aero Club at
Metropolitan Oakland International Airport.
Favorite aircraft? My Extra 300. After my initial year flying International Aerobatic Club regional contests, I knew I
needed to get my own plane to progress. I went looking for a
single-seat Pitts, but this beautiful pink, blue, and white 1990
mid-wing Extra found me. It was a lot of plane to learn how to
fly, but I love my "plane baby." A high-performance, aerobatic
aircraft like an Extra 300 becomes an extension of the pilot
and there's nothing quite like rolling and spinning around the
skies strapped into one.

and, after the known [compulsory] flight, I was in second place
out of 19 pilots in the Sportsman category. I needed to fly as perfect a free program as I could to come out on top, and it became
a mental game to stay focused and not let my nerves affect my
flying. Believing in yourself, that you're prepared because you put
in the work, is important-whether at a contest or on a checkride.
Favorite aviation-related activity? As you may have guessed, I
love flying aerobatics! But I also enjoy doing outreach to other
pilots interested in the sport, as well as encouraging girls and
women to pursue aviation as a hobby or career. It is so empowering when you achieve your goal of becoming a pilot, then
continue on to accomplish other ratings and certificates, and
learn to fly different types of aircraft.
Advice for student pilots? Don't let your fears hold you back. I
was just as scared as you may be now when I practiced solo
power-on stalls or landed in a stiff crosswind when learning to
fly. The first time I pulled the stick back and stomped on full
rudder to initiate a spin got my heart racing, too. Find an experienced instructor and a capable airplane and go conquer those
fears. Never stop learning.

Early challenges? I'd say my most challenging flight so far was
my second flight at the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships
in 2018 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It was my first trip to nationals,

CHAD SLATTERY

TWITTER @SUSANBELLAIR,
INSTAGRAM @SUSANBELLAIR,
YOUTUBE SUSAN BELL AIR

AOPA.ORG/FT 23

http://www.AOPA.ORG/FT

Flight Training - October 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - October 2019