Sharon L. Menear worked as a water-sports model before traveling the world as a flight attendant with Pan American World Airways. After earning her commercial pilot license, she left Pan Am and worked as a flight instructor, charter pilot, and commuter airline pilot until she acquired the qualifications for employment with a major airline. She was hired by US Airways in 1980 as the first woman pilot, bypassing the flight engineer position. She flew Boeing 727s and 737s, DC-9s, and BAC 1-11 jet airliners. She was promoted to captain after seven years as a copilot. Sharon also enjoyed flying ant...