“If the men can do it, so can the women, maybe even better.” - MSU Denver aerobatic pilot and coach, Dagmar Kress.
At MSU Denver, women are breaking barriers in aviation, outpacing national trends in pilot training. With a growing presence in the cockpit and a strong support network through the university’s Women in Aviation chapter, women pilots are navigating the shifting landscape of flight training and the work still ahead.
This photo series and story was reported by Sara Martin for Chalkbeat Colorado — the full story can be enjoyed here at this link.
Natalie Gramer, a student at Metropolitan State University of Denver, scans the horizon for traffic while collecting hours to earn her commercial pilot rating. (Sara Martin / Chalkbeat)
Dagmar Kress, coach of the university’s aerobatic team, uses a radio to communicate with students who are practicing stunt maneuvers at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport during the team’s practice Aug. 5. (Sara Martin / Chalkbeat)
Jared Hulse, a founding member of the aerobatic team, chats with Dagmar Kress as student pilots taxi on the runway Aug. 5 after landing at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport. (Sara Martin / Chalkbeat)
Natalie Gramer, pilot and student at MSU Denver flies over Sedalia, Colorado while logging flight hours Aug. 3. Recording hours is one of the biggest expenses for those trying to earn flight certifications. (Sara Martin / Chalkbeat)
Shelly Hughes watches the gas gauge Aug. 5 on the aircraft wing as team members help prepare the plane for her turn to practice stunts at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport. (Sara Martin / Chalkbeat)
Holly Hunsaker began her career in aviation almost two years ago, originally starting with skydiving, but after being surrounded by pilots, she knew what next steps she wanted to take in life. (Sara Martin / Chalkbeat)
Dagmar Kress explains the intricacies of aerobatic flight in a briefing before practice begins for the aviation team at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport Aug. 3. (Sara Martin / Chalkbeat)
Natalie Gramer plans to earn her certification as a flight instructor to help teach others interested in flying to earn their license. (Sara Martin / Chalkbeat)
Natalie Gramer completes a pre-flight checklist, preparing the plane at Centennial Airport Aug. 3 before she flies. Gramer recently earned her commercial pilot rating in July which requires a minimum of 250 logged flight hours to obtain. The certification now allows her to be compensated for flight services. (Sara Martin / Chalkbeat)