BY AMERICAN FLYERS
Pilot’s Digest: Tell us a little about yourself.
Megan Triscari: I am 28 years old and I am currently a Flight Attendant for Delta Airlines. I grew up here in South Florida and am a proud FSU grad: Go Noles! I love all things nature, dogs and pizza when I’m not working towards my next rating.
PD: How did you get into flying?
MT: My mom is also a Flight Attendant for Delta and my dad is retired FAA, so aviation has always been a huge part of my life. After working as a Flight Attendant for a few years, I decided being on the other side of the cockpit door was what was best for me.
PD: How did you choose your flight school?
MT: There are so many flight school options here in South Florida, it was a bit of an intimidating process picking the right school for me. I took tours of multiple schools at multiple airports and asked the students I ran into how they liked the school. I also went online and read as many reviews as I could find.
PD: What made you choose American Flyers?
MT: When I walked into American Flyers, the first thing I noticed was how many employees were actually smiling and interacting with each other and their students. The diversity of this staff was also impressive and something I was looking for in a flight school. As I toured the facility, I was impressed by not only the number of classrooms, SIMs, and teaching aids, but also the actual fleet of aircrafts and maintenance that we are lucky enough to have in house. Overall, American Flyers had an incredibly professional and organized operation that made me feel like it would be the best place to successfully pursue my dreams.
PD: How much outside studying did you have to put in during your time with AF?
MT: I definitely put in a decent amount of studying on my own time while working with Flyers. I want to get things done efficiently and quickly. I also always want to feel prepared so as not to waste my instructors time or my own, so setting aside that time on the weekends and evenings to me is key to being successful.
PD: What is your most memorable moment at American Flyers?
MT: My most memorable moment since I have started my training would have to be the first time I solo’d. Having my instructor believe in me as much as she gave me the courage to believe in myself. That first solo being in the plane all alone for the first time, doing those laps in the pattern and landing safely, has to be one of the biggest confidence building moments for any pilot. We were both genuinely so excited when I landed and from then on I knew I was in love with flying.
PD: What advice would you give someone interested in starting pilot training?
MT: My biggest piece of advice would be: if you are even considering pilot training, go out and do a discovery flight! I have met so many people who were “thinking about it” or “going to eventually.” Just get yourself in a plane and get your journey started, life is too short to put something as amazing as flying on the back burner for later. I would also advise if you do decide to make the commitment to begin training, do the best you can to dedicate your time to it. I know life happens, but investing at least a few days a week to train and being consistent is the best way to be successful and not throw your money away.
PD: What’s next for you?
MT: At the end of August, I plan on doing the CFI academy here at American Flyers and at the end of 30 days, walk away as a certified flight instructor. Ideally I will get a job, build my flight time sharing aviation with people who are excited and eager to learn how to fly, and one day end up back at Delta flying for the best airline in the country.
PD: If you could fly anywhere, go to any flying destination, where would it be?
MT: Growing up in South Florida I’ve always thought it would be amazing to fly a seaplane! So really any destination for me landing on the ocean would be ideal!