Olga Custodio's guest appearances

Olga Custodio

Ready For Takeoff - Turn Your Aviation Passion Into A Career

Movers and Shakers Show

When Women Fly

Jessica Cox

Shannon Huffman Polson

Patty Wagstaff

Liz Booker

Cecilia Aragon

Don Sebastian

Robert DeLaurentis

Chris Palmer

Melissa Lowe

Deborah Hecker

Carl Valeri

George H.W. Bush

Julie Clark

Lee Lauderback

Brian Schiff

OwlTail

In this episode, we talk to Olga Custodio about  finding success in a male-dominated profession, balancing family and professional life when pursuing career goals, why accessibility is the key to mentorship, and much more.Retired Lieutenant Colonel Olga Custodio didn’t give up on her dream of serving her country when she was repeatedly blocked from enlisting in the military. Ten years after her first attempted she was finally accepted into the US Air Force, becoming the first Latina to complete graining in the U.S. Air Force as a military pilot. She also became the first Hispanic female pilot at American Airlines flying domestic and international routes retiring as a Captain after 20 years with American Airlines. She reflects on instructing and flying the supersonic T-38. While breaking barriers and overcoming challenges as a woman in a male-dominated profession throughout her career, Olga has gained valuable insights that she shares in this conversation and to her wider audiences. Olga is a consummate mentor. A mentor for mentors. She is a generous and supportive advocate for girls, inspiring and empowering students - especially those from underserved communities and middle-schoolers - to pursue careers in STEM generally and aviation / aerospace specifically.Topics Include:Being born into a military family in San Juan, Puerto RicoGrowing up abroadThe influence of Olga’s mother and grandmotherVoicing your dreams and ambitionsFlying and training supersonic jet in the militaryBecoming the first female T-38 flight instructor at Laughlin Air Force Base.Inspiring and empowering women and young girlsWomen in STEMOlga’s love for Hispanic arts and cultural heritageBallet Folklorico Borikèn, trans. The Puerto Rican Folk BalletThe “where there is a will, there is power” mantraAnd other topics…Olga Custodio is a former United States Air Force officer who became the first female Hispanic U.S. military pilot. Upon retiring from the military, she became the first female Hispanic commercial airline captain of American Airlines. Olga is a Trustee of the Order of Daedalians Foundation, a Board Member and Treasurer for the Women in Aviation Alamo City Chapter, and a Board Member for the Dee Howard Foundation. Custodio also serves as vice president of the Hispanic Association of Aviation and Aerospace Professionals (HAAAP). These organizations inspire young students in the San Antonio and surrounding areas to seek civilian and military aviation careers.Resources Mentioned:http://www.purflygirl.com/Want to connect? Visit us online and signup for the monthly WWF newsletter!Website – https://www.whenwomenfly.com/Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest – @whenwomenflyEmail – hello@whenwomenfly.com

In this episode, we talk to Olga Custodio about  finding success in a male-dominated profession, balancing family and professional life when pursuing career goals, why accessibility is the key to mentorship, and much more. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Olga Custodio didn’t give up on her dream of serving her country when she was repeatedly blocked from enlisting in the military. Ten years after her first attempted she was finally accepted into the US Air Force, becoming the first Latina to complete graining in the U.S. Air Force as a military pilot. She also became the first Hispanic female pilot at American Airlines flying domestic and international routes retiring as a Captain after 20 years with American Airlines. She reflects on instructing and flying the supersonic T-38.  While breaking barriers and overcoming challenges as a woman in a male-dominated profession throughout her career, Olga has gained valuable insights that she shares in this conversation and to her wider audiences. Olga is a consummate mentor. A mentor for mentors. She is a generous and supportive advocate for girls, inspiring and empowering students - especially those from underserved communities and middle-schoolers - to pursue careers in STEM generally and aviation / aerospace specifically. Topics Include:<ul><li>Being born into a military family in San Juan, Puerto Rico</li><li>Growing up abroad</li><li>The influence of Olga’s mother and grandmother</li><li>Voicing your dreams and ambitions</li><li>Flying and training supersonic jet in the military</li><li>Becoming the first female T-38 flight instructor at Laughlin Air Force Base.</li><li>Inspiring and empowering women and young girls</li><li>Women in STEM</li><li>Olga’s love for Hispanic arts and cultural heritage</li><li>Ballet Folklorico Borikèn, trans. The Puerto Rican Folk Ballet</li><li>The “where there is a will, there is power” mantra</li><li>And other topics…</li></ul> Olga Custodio is a former United States Air Force officer who became the first female Hispanic U.S. military pilot. Upon retiring from the military, she became the first female Hispanic commercial airline captain of American Airlines. Olga is a Trustee of the Order of Daedalians Foundation, a Board Member and Treasurer for the Women in Aviation Alamo City Chapter, and a Board Member for the Dee Howard Foundation. Custodio also serves as vice president of the Hispanic Association of Aviation and Aerospace Professionals (HAAAP). These organizations inspire young students in the San Antonio and surrounding areas to seek civilian and military aviation careers. Resources Mentioned: <a href="http://www.purflygirl.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.purflygirl.com/</a> Want to connect? Visit us online and signup for the monthly WWF newsletter! Website – <a href="http://whenwomenfly.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.whenwomenfly.com/</a> Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest – <a href="https://www.instagram.com/whenwomenfly/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@whenwomenfly</a> Email – <a href="mailto:hello@whenwomenfly.com">hello@whenwomenfly.com</a>

053 Sacrificing for Success and Setting Priorities with Olga Custodio - First Female Hispanic U.S. Military Pilot

Custodio earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Puerto Rico and worked for various industries before landing a job in the accounting department of Prinair (Puerto Rico International Airlines). There she met Edwin Custodio, with whom she would eventually have two children. She later worked for the US Department of Defense (DoD) in Panama. With the support of her husband, she presented herself before Headquarters, Air Force Military Personnel Center (AFMPC) to apply for the United States Air Force Officer Training School. Upon admission, Custodio was accepted as a pilot candidate to become a United States Air Force pilot. She entered the Flight Screening Pilot Officer Training School in January 1980. After successful completion of Flight Screening she entered Officer Training School and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. She qualified for Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas and graduated the following year, thus becoming the first Latina to complete the U.S. Air Force military pilot training. Her first military assignment was that of instructor pilot at Laughlin AFB. She was the first female to become a Northrop T-38 Talon (T-38) UPT flight instructor at that base. The T-38 Talon is the Air Force’s two-seat, supersonic jet trainer. On one occasion a bird struck the engine of her plane in bad weather while she was in flight. She was able to overcome the emergency and safely land her plane. Because of this she was recognized by the Air Force, and awarded the HQ AETC Aviation Safety Award for superior airmanship. Custodio was later assigned to Randolph Air Force Base where she was also the first female T-38 Instructor Pilot. During her career she also served as Pilot Instructor Training; T-41 Flight Screening – Operations Officer and Check Pilot. Custodio retired from the Air Force with the rank of lieutenant colonel in October 2003, after serving in the military for 23 years and 10 months. Her last assignment as an Air Force Reserve officer was that of accountability and readiness the Directorate of Personnel, HQ USAF. In June 1988, while she was serving in the US Air Force Reserve, she was hired by American Airlines as a commercial pilot. Custodio became one of the first Latina commercial airline captains. During her years with American, she flew various types of aircraft. She piloted the Boeing 727, Fokker 100, Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 to various countries in Europe, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. She also flew to Mexico, Canada and to various cities in the United States. Custodio retired from American Airlines in February 2008, with over 11,000 flight hours. Custodio retired from the military after 24 years of service and lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband. There she founded “Dragonfly Productions LLC,” a production company that creates personal film documentaries. In 1992, she founded the Ballet Folklorico Borikèn, the Puerto Rican folk ballet. Custodio is a Trustee of the Order of Daedalians Foundation, a Board Member and Treasurer for the Women in Aviation Alamo City Chapter and Board Member for the Dee Howard Foundation. Custodio also serves as vice president of the Hispanic Association of Aviation and Aerospace Professionals (HAAAP). These organizations inspire young students in the San Antonio and surrounding areas to seek civilian and military aviation careers. They hosts students to tour various airplanes and control towers and also speak to students in all grades to present career opportunities in aviation and aerospace.

Custodio earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Puerto Rico and worked for various industries before landing a job in the accounting department of Prinair (Puerto Rico International Airlines). There she met Edwin Custodio, with whom she would eventually have two children. She later worked for the US Department of Defense (DoD) in Panama. With the support of her husband, she presented herself before Headquarters, Air Force Military Personnel Center (AFMPC) to apply for the United States Air Force Officer Training School. Upon admission, Custodio was accepted as a pilot candidate to become a United States Air Force pilot. She entered the Flight Screening Pilot Officer Training School in January 1980. After successful completion of Flight Screening she entered Officer Training School and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. She qualified for Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at Laughlin Air Force Base in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Texas</a> and graduated the following year, thus becoming the first Latina to complete the U.S. Air Force military pilot training. Her first military assignment was that of instructor pilot at Laughlin AFB. She was the first female to become a Northrop T-38 Talon (T-38) UPT flight instructor at that base. The T-38 Talon is the Air Force’s two-seat, supersonic jet trainer. On one occasion a bird struck the engine of her plane in bad weather while she was in flight. She was able to overcome the emergency and safely land her plane. Because of this she was recognized by the Air Force, and awarded the HQ AETC Aviation Safety Award for superior airmanship. Custodio was later assigned to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randolph_Air_Force_Base" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Randolph Air Force Base</a> where she was also the first female T-38 Instructor Pilot. During her career she also served as Pilot Instructor Training; T-41 Flight Screening – Operations Officer and Check Pilot. Custodio retired from the Air Force with the rank of lieutenant colonel in October 2003, after serving in the military for 23 years and 10 months. Her last assignment as an Air Force Reserve officer was that of accountability and readiness the Directorate of Personnel, HQ USAF. In June 1988, while she was serving in the US Air Force Reserve, she was hired by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Airlines" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American Airlines</a> as a commercial pilot. Custodio became one of the first <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latinas" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Latina</a> commercial airline captains. During her years with American, she flew various types of aircraft. She piloted the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_727" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Boeing 727</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fokker_100" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fokker 100</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_757" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Boeing 757</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_767" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Boeing 767</a> to various countries in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Europe</a>, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Caribbean</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_America" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Central America</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_America" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">South America</a>. She also flew to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mexico</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Canada</a> and to various cities in the United States. Custodio retired from American Airlines in February 2008, with over 11,000 flight hours. Custodio retired from the military after 24 years of service and lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband. There she founded “Dragonfly Productions LLC,” a production company that creates personal film documentaries. In 1992, she founded the Ballet Folklorico Borikèn, the Puerto Rican folk ballet. Custodio is a Trustee of the Order of Daedalians Foundation, a Board Member and Treasurer for the Women in Aviation Alamo City Chapter and Board Member for the Dee Howard Foundation. Custodio also serves as vice president of the Hispanic Association of Aviation and Aerospace Professionals (HAAAP). These organizations inspire young students in the San Antonio and surrounding areas to seek civilian and military aviation careers. They hosts students to tour various airplanes and control towers and also speak to students in all grades to present career opportunities in aviation and aerospace.

RFT 422: Air Force/Airline Pilot Olga Custodio

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS 5-6-20 Olga Custodio LT Col USAF 