A Lifetime in the Sky: American Eagle Captain Sue Clark | ep.7

Get ready for an inspiring episode featuring aviation legend Sue Clark—a retired American Eagle Airlines captain, one of the first female Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs), and the founder of RV to the Rescue, a nonprofit that saves animals through aviation.  

Sue shares her incredible journey, from breaking barriers as a female pilot when airlines weren’t hiring women, to her experiences flying Metroliners, Jetstreams, and the Saab 340, and her passion for giving back—both to the aviation community and animals in need.  

In this episode, we cover:  
✈️ How a $5 introductory flight sparked Sue’s aviation career  
🔥 The*challenges of being a female pilot in a male-dominated industry  
👩‍✈️ Becoming one of the first female Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs)  
🐶 How she started RV to the Rescue to transport rescue animals  
📚 Advice for aspiring pilots & how YOU can get involved in aviation or animal rescue  

Sue’s trailblazing story will leave you feeling inspired and ready to take action! If you love aviation, animals, or just a great success story, this is an episode you can’t miss.  

🚀 Watch, like, and subscribe for more powerful aviation stories!  
🎧 Listen now! And don’t forget to share with your fellow pilots and animal lovers!  

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Show Notes:

00:00 Welcome & Introduction  
- Meet Sue Clark—aviation pioneer and nonprofit founder  
- Her journey as a retired airline captain and DPE  

05:30 The Early Aviation Spark 🚀 
- The childhood memory that inspired her love for flying  
- How a $5 discovery flight changed everything  
- Learning to fly while juggling work & financial challenges  

15:45 Breaking Barriers as a Female Pilot ✈️  
- Airlines weren’t hiring women—how Sue paved her own path  
- Becoming a ground school instructor to fund her training  
- Her transition to airline flying in the ‘70s and ‘80s  

28:00 From Flight Instructor to Airline Captain 👩‍✈️  
- Becoming a chief pilot and multi-engine instructor 
- Joining Wings West (American Eagle) and logging 27,000+ hours  
- Flying turboprops and finally upgrading to captain in just 3 months!  

42:15 RV to the Rescue: Flying for a Cause 🐾
- The birth of RV to the Rescue—saving animals through aviation  
- How Sue and her team transport pets to loving homes  
- The Kids Can Fly program—introducing youth to aviation through rescue flights  

55:30 Advice for Aspiring Pilots & Final Thoughts  
- How to start your aviation journey with scholarships & networking  
- The power of mentorship and surrounding yourself with pilots  
- How YOU can volunteer—fly, drive, or support RV to the Rescue  

01:05:00 Rapid Fire Round 🔥
💭 Dream airplane? P-51 Mustang  
🎧 Landing song? Something from Top Gun  
📍 Favorite fly-in meal? Harris Ranch  
🎯 Best advice for pilots? "Never stop learning. Always chase your dreams."

[01:10:00] Closing Remarks & Next Episode Preview
- Next guest: A student pilot preparing for his checkride! 
- How to follow & support Sue’s mission at RV2TheRescue.com. https://www.rv2therescue.com 

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Thank you for tuning in, may there always be wind beneath your wings!

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