In this wide-ranging conversation, Capt. Lynn Rippelmeyer—first woman to fly the Boeing 747—joins host Shaesta Waiz to dismantle the myth that equity and excellence are mutually exclusive. Rippelmeyer traces her unlikely climb from TWA flight attendant to 747 captain during an era when women “weren’t just under-represented—they were reminded they didn’t belong.” 

She credits key male allies, highlights the power of mentorship, and explains why tapping an inner spiritual compass is critical when the industry questions your right to be there. Beyond the flight deck, Rippelmeyer discusses raising two sons while flying, founding the nonprofit ROSE—Roatán Support Effort, and writing two memoirs (Life Takes Wings, Life Takes Flight) whose proceeds fund medical and educational aid in Honduras. Her core message: a fully engaged, diverse workforce is the only route to operational excellence—and every new pilot has a part to play.

Major Themes & Concepts

✅ Equity is foundational to excellence—not its opposite

✅ Mentorship from male allies can open historic doors

✅ You can raise a family while flying professionally

✅ The myth of “safety risk” from women in command roles

✅ Inner confidence stems from spirituality and self-trust

✅ Institutional bias once blocked female captains—until proven wrong

✅ Representation matters: visibility breeds access

✅ Legacy is built not just in flight, but in giving back

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 | Cold-open — “You can’t have excellence without equity”

01:24 | Host intro and Lynn’s historic flight credentials

03:04 | Dreaming the 747 while training in a Piper Cub

05:27 | Chief Pilot Carl Hershberg and mentorship that changed everything

07:21 | The 747’s “sacred” feel; pilot-aircraft relationship

10:15 | Tackling the false binary of DEI vs. safety

13:16 | Debunking myths: mental fitness, menstruation, and command

19:52 | Flying through doubt, powered by spiritual grounding

23:49 | Finding support: 99s, WAI, ISA+21, and choosing community

26:33 | Post-career: launching ROSE and humanitarian flying

28:50 | Life Takes Wings & Life Takes Flight — memoirs with mission

Additional Resources

Nonprofit: ROSE – Roatán Support Effort

Follow Capt. Lynn Rippelmeyer

Website: lynnrippelmeyer.com

LinkedIn: Lynn Rippelmeyer - Speaker, Author - Wings Unlimited, LLC

Books: Life Takes Wings

Follow Shaesta Waiz

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