Summary

  • Janet Patton, a trailblazing pilot, made history at Spirit Airlines, paving the way for future female aviators.
  • Patton’s aviation journey began in Michigan, driven by a childhood fascination with flight and a scholarship.
  • Through Patton Aviation, Janet continues to inspire and train future pilots by emphasizing safety and enjoyment.

Janet Patton boasts over 35 years of experience in aviation. Her aviation journey took off in Michigan’s small airports. It led to her making history as Spirit Airlines’ first female pilot in 1996 and its first female captain in 1998, inspiring countless aviators.

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She furthered her career at American Airlines as a Boeing 737 Captain and now serves as a Boeing 777 First Officer, flying international routes. Beyond her flying career, Janet shares her passion through Patton Aviation, her flying school under SkyBlue Aviation LLC, emphasizing safety, foundational skills, and enjoyment in flying. Her story of breaking into aviation, fueled by an early fascination following a plane crash and a scholarship-fueled flight training, showcases her trailblazing path and dedication to nurturing future generations of pilots.

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Photo: Patton Aviation

Janet’s aviation journey began in the skies of Michigan, where she earned her wings at small airports throughout Southeast Michigan. When Janet was 11 years old, Air Florida 90 crashed into the Potomac River, and she realized she wanted to pursue a career as an airline pilot.

First ride in an airplane

At 14, Janet went for her first airplane ride in a four-seat Cessna 172 and fell in love. She joined the Civil Air Patrol to learn more about aviation. In 1986, Janet won the Mary von Mach Flight Scholarship given by the Michigan Chapter 99s to attend a Civil Air Patrol Flight Encampment. That summer, Janet soloed an airplane for the first time at MBS, Tri-City Airport in Saginaw, Michigan. Afterward, she continued flying lessons at small airports near her parent’s house in Southeast Lower Michigan.

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Photo: Patton Aviation

Five years later, in 1987, she earned her Private Pilot Certificate, then her Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot Certificate, Flight Instructor Certificates, and the ultimate Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. Always trying to increase her knowledge level and experience in aviation, Janet kept pursuing the next level of growth. Her career path is all-civilian. Having been too short and wearing glasses, she could not be a military pilot. But her motivation and her goals remained strong.

Her first commercial job was as a flight instructor. She did some charter flights in small jets, but her love of airliners drew her elsewhere. She became a cargo pilot flying DC-6s. After that, she was hired to fly the mighty L188 Lockheed Electra, first as a Flight Engineer and then upgraded to First Officer. She has flown across the US, into Canada, Mexico, and throughout the UK, flying anything from automotive freight to newspaper and flowers to transformers and the robotic arm of a space shuttle.

With Spirit Airlines, Janet became their first woman pilot in 1996. In 1998, she became Spirit Airlines’ first woman Captain and had her first all-woman crew. When she was hired to fly for American Airlines, Spirit Airlines had 10% women in their pilot ranks.

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Photo: Patton Aviation

At the end of 1998, American Airlines hired Janet, and she became a Flight Engineer on the Boeing 727. At American, she has had the opportunity to fly Boeings 737, 757, 767, 777, and 787. She also has flown the Airbus 319 and 321. Janet is currently a First Officer on the Boeing 777 based at DFW and is looking forward to upgrading to widebody Captain in the near future.

Besides being mom to her daughters Lauren and Danielle and her flying, Janet’s most significant gratification is providing support, direction, and leadership to the next generation of aviators. Through Patton Aviation, she can fulfill this worthy pursuit.

Patton Aviation

Patton Aviation is a dba under SkyBlue Aviation LLC. Pattion Aviation believes that flying isn’t just about getting in an aircraft, taking off, and eventually learning how to land; it’s about preserving a legacy while paying forward to those with a passion for the freedom of flight.

At Patton Aviation, they strive to teach and share flying to promote safety, foundational flying skills, and fun. With years of experience in general aviation and the airline industry, they carry those concepts to the learning environment and offer flying in a unique, one-on-one, and individually tailored way. Whether their aviators want to fly for fun or fly for a living, their student’s needs are met with their business practices supporting their learners.

Janet Patton’s Legacy

With a 35-year aviation career, Janet Patton notably became Spirit Airlines’ first female pilot in 1996 and its first female captain in 1998 before joining American Airlines, where she serves as a Boeing 777 First Officer. Her passion for aviation sparked at age 11. It was fueled by her winning the Mary von Mach Flight Scholarship in 1986, leading to a decorated career that has included flying various aircraft across the US, Canada, Mexico, and the UK.

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Beyond her professional piloting achievements, Janet shares her aviation passion through her flying school, Patton Aviation, part of SkyBlue Aviation LLC. The school focuses on safety, skills, and the joy of flying. Her story is about breaking barriers in the aviation industry and inspiring and nurturing the next generation of pilots, demonstrating her commitment to the growth and development of the aviation field.

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