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Ellie’s fascination with aviation began at a young age, surrounded by the industry through her family’s involvement. However, it wasn’t until her first year of college, that a small seed of interest bloomed into a passion and a clear path for her future career. “I found myself at a point in my life where I felt a surge of independence and self-confidence,” Ellie recalled. “I started contemplating aviation and what it would be like in the flight deck, flying the plane. I wanted to go for it! Luckily, my dad owned an airplane at the time. Undoubtedly, he supported me and my newfound ambition, and he immediately got me into his plane. It has been a special experience, and it brought our relationship closer together.” Elizabeth (Ellie) Gall was destined for a career in the sky. Her grandfather and father flew for US Airways, while her mother worked as a flight attendant for American Airlines. “Since my parents lived in different states, I grew up flying once a month to visit my dad, and I would always see two older men step out of the flight deck,” she recalls. “Even though my dad encouraged me to fly, I assumed being a pilot was a man’s career.”
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Ellie’s journey toward becoming a pilot progressed with the support of her mentor, a retired American Airlines Captain, who introduced her to Piedmont’s Cadet Program. The Cadet Program provides guidance and financial assistance to new pilots working to secure their flight hours, allowing them the flexibility to build hours how they want and where they want, no partner school affiliation required. “The Cadet Program offered so much opportunity for me while I built my
