In this episode, I open up about 4 personal flight training stories that shaped me as a pilot – and mistakes I hope you avoid:

1. My exhilarating (and hilarious) first solo at just 15 years old – the nerves, bumpy landing, perfect second try, and the mix-up that had my head instructor thinking I stole the plane!
2. The costly lesson of NOT researching regulations when switching from Canada to US flight training – how ignoring FAA vs Transport Canada differences set me back during instrument ground school.
3. How an unhealthy teenage relationship drained my energy and hurt my progress... until I learned the power of supportive, healthy relationships that accelerated my training.
4. The heart-pounding real engine failure during multi-engine climb – and how drilling emergency procedures saved the day with an automatic second nature response.

Whether you're a student pilot working on your PPL, instrument rating, multi-engine, or just dreaming of becoming a pilot, these stories deliver joy, tough lessons, and practical advice on preparation, mindset, relationships, and mastering emergencies.

Key takeaways for aspiring pilots:

• Always research regs before international training moves
• Protect your focus – toxic relationships can sabotage studies
• Practice emergency procedures until they're muscle memory

Free Resources: Check my Patreon for helpful flight training tools I used (linked below)!

If you're in flight school, considering pilot training in Canada or the US (Florida weather wins!), or love aviation stories – this episode is for you.

Chapters:
00:00 The Joy of First Solo Flight
03:03 Navigating International Flight Regulations
05:53 The Impact of Relationships on Training
09:11 Mastering Emergency Procedures

Subscribe for more pilot stories, flight training tips, aerospace insights, and aviation career advice. Like if these lessons hit home, comment your biggest training mistake below, and share with a fellow student pilot!

Learn more:
If you want to learn more about aviation or aerospace, reach out to Pilot Mercedes:
Follow on Instagram/TikTok: @skywardmercedes
Email: mercedes@skywardpodcast.com

If you’re looking for a new place to host your podcast, I use Buzzsprout. You get a $20.00 bonus if you use my link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2447859

Patreon Community is up and running! If you’re looking for a group of other amazing aviation and aerospace enthusiasts like you, here’s your spot!
https://patreon.com/Skywardpodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

🎙️ Hosted by Pilot Mercedes

With years of experience as a pilot, Pilot Mercedes brings you Skyward Podcast. Your go-to show for mastering flight training, building confidence, and exploring all the different layers of the aviation and aerospace industries. Learn the strategies that actually work from someone who’s been in the cockpit. Subscribe for bi-weekly aviation and aerospace stories and advice that help you soar to new heights!

#FlightTraining #StudentPilot #FirstSolo #PilotLife #AviationPodcast #EmergencyProcedures #PPL #InstrumentRating #PilotStories #BecomeAPilot

Tap this to send Mercedes a message!

In this inspiring episode of Skyward, host Pilot Mercedes sits down with aviation legend Lola Reid Allin — one of Canada's earliest female commercial pilots, flight instructor, Twin Otter captain, award-winning author, photographer, and adventurer who's explored over 65 countries.

Lola shares her remarkable journey starting in 1979, when women in the cockpit were rare and often unwelcome. From battling family discouragement and societal expectations, to becoming the first female chief flight instructor at multiple schools, flying bush ops in the North, and facing intense challenges like electrical failures, spins, and outright discrimination — her story is one of resilience, joy, and quiet revolution.

We dive into:

• Growing up fascinated by clouds and planes in a time when girls were steered toward "traditional" roles
• Trailblazing milestones as a woman in a male-dominated industry
• Hair-raising in-flight emergencies and how she kept calm under pressure
• Her new memoir Highway to the Sky: An Aviator's Journey and why she wrote it after a shocking 2014 note to a female captain

Whether you're a pilot, aspiring aviator, or simply love stories of determination against the odds, this conversation celebrates the pioneers who opened the skies for future generations.

Note for parents & younger readers: While Highway to the Sky is a powerful and worthwhile read, it does explore some mature themes including adult situations, violence, and depictions of abuse. Reader discretion is advised, especially for young audiences.

📖 Highway to the Sky (available on Amazon worldwide + audiobook!)
🌐 lolareidallin.com

Remember to rate this podcast and follow for more behind-the-scenes aviation stories! ✈️

Chapters
00:00 Trailblazing in Aviation: Lola Reed Allen's Journey
02:59 Overcoming Barriers: The Challenges of Being a Female Pilot
05:51 Inspiration and Role Models: The Impact of Early Influences
09:12 Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry: Experiences and Insights
11:56 The Evolution of Female Representation in Aviation
14:59 Flight Instruction: Mentoring the Next Generation
18:03 Personal Growth Through Aviation: Lessons Learned
20:58 The Future of Women in Aviation: Progress and Challenges
56:04 The Power of Storytelling in Writing
01:00:06 Facing Challenges in Aviation
01:05:56 The Journey of Writing a Book
01:16:49 The Art of Audiobook Production
01:20:36 Exploring Aircraft Experience
01:29:04 Crisis Management in Aviation
01:43:44 Lessons Learned in Aviation and Life

Whether you’re an aspiring pilot, a recreational flyer, considering aviation as a career or hobby, or simply inspired by the skies, these gems will motivate you heading into 2026.
Thank you for an amazing launch year — here’s to flying higher in the next!

Learn more:
If you want to learn more about aviation or aerospace, reach out to Pilot Mercedes:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sound_skies/
Email: mercedes@skywardpodcast.com

If you’re looking for a new place to host your podcast, I use Buzzsprout. You get a $20.00 bonus if you use my link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2447859

Skyward Patreon Community is up and running! If you’re looking for a group of other amazing aviation and aerospace enthusiasts like you, here’s your spot!
https://patreon.com/Skywardpodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

🎙️ Hosted by Pilot Mercedes

With years of experience as a pilot, Pilot Mercedes brings you Skyward Podcast. Your go-to show for mastering flight training, building confidence, and exploring all the different layers of the aviation and a

Tap this to send Mercedes a message!

As 2025 comes to a close, join host Pilot Mercedes for a special year-end episode of Skyward — the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the aviation and aerospace world.
In this “Best of 2025” compilation, we revisit the most powerful, honest, and actionable advice shared by our incredible guests throughout the year. From seasoned airline captains and military pilots to flight attendants, hobby flyers, NASA-funded scientists, and those overcoming unique challenges like diabetes in aviation, this episode packs timeless wisdom for anyone passionate about flying.
You’ll hear standout insights on:

- Cultivating a growth mindset and handling feedback
- The importance of frequency, recency, and never letting ego outpace skill
- Staying adaptable, networking, and finding mentorship
- Why weather is the #1 factor every pilot must respect
- Advice specifically for women breaking into the industry
- Balancing family, mistakes, and humility in high-stakes careers
- Turning challenges into opportunities and never losing the joy of flight

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Skyward Podcast and 2025 Highlights
02:58 Guidance for Aspiring Aviation Professionals
05:56 Tips for New Pilots and Flight Attendants
09:06 Exploring Aviation as a Career or Hobby
12:01 Navigating Challenges in Aviation
14:47 Advice for Women in Aviation
18:08 Managing Health Challenges in Aviation
21:10 Learning from Mistakes in Aviation
24:09 Conclusion and Future Aspirations

Whether you’re an aspiring pilot, a recreational flyer, considering aviation as a career or hobby, or simply inspired by the skies, these gems will motivate you heading into 2026.
Thank you for an amazing launch year — here’s to flying higher in the next!

Learn more:
If you want to learn more about aviation or aerospace, reach out to Pilot Mercedes:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sound_skies/
Email: mercedes@skywardpodcast.com

If you’re looking for a new place to host your podcast, I use Buzzsprout. You get a $20.00 bonus if you use my link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2447859

Skyward Patreon Community is up and running! If you’re looking for a group of other amazing aviation and aerospace enthusiasts like you, here’s your spot!
https://patreon.com/Skywardpodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

🎙️ Hosted by Pilot Mercedes

With years of experience as a pilot, Pilot Mercedes brings you Skyward Podcast. Your go-to show for mastering flight training, building confidence, and exploring all the different layers of the aviation and aerospace industries. Learn the strategies that actually work from someone who’s been in the cockpit. Subscribe for bi-weekly aviation and aerospace stories and advice that help you soar to new heights!

Tap this to send Mercedes a message!