Feb 2010 Janet Gritter (North Carolina)
Janet Gritter flies out of Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) Greensboro, NC.
By the age of 10 I knew I wanted to fly after my first airline trip in a 747 while on family vacation. Â Seven years later, in 1979, I began flying lessons at Reid Hillview Airport in San Jose, California. Â In 1980, during my senior year in high school I obtained my private pilot license. Â After high school came college and I was accepted into the Aeronautics program at San Jose State University where I graduated with a B.S. degree in Aeronautical Operations. Â My career since has been in the Aviation, Aerospace and Defense sector of manufacturing and government defense contracting.
In 1993 I realized my life-long dream of aircraft ownership when I purchased a 1946 Cessna 140 out of Fullerton, California.  Just a year earlier I spent a lot of right seat time in a Cessna 180 and it was then that I fell in love with ‘conventional’ gear aircraft.  In 2005 I moved from San Diego California to Greensboro, NC to work for Honda Aircraft Company.  I flew my little C140 out here from California.  Just over a year ago I purchased a wonderful 180HP Cessna 170B.  I have since sold my little 140 and I must say, that airplane was a good friend, and I do miss her.  My husband Rich and my step son RJ are both pilots as well.  My husband is a test pilot and aerospace engineer and my step son, who obtained his private license on his 16th birthday, appears to be following in his fathers’ footsteps.  We have three dogs and a cat and we are so blessed to live beautiful North Carolina.
Janet Gritter
Posted at 23:45h, 03 MarchHello Gayle,
Thank you for your kind words and your message. Congrats to you on passing the written! Such an accomplishment that is! The enthusiasm from new pilots like yourself, as well as the stories from the seasoned ladies on this website continue to inspire me. It’s such a privaledge to get to do what we do and you are well on your way! I look forward to reading about your progress on this website. Keep enjoying our ‘golden era’ birds! They are a treat!!
Janet
Gayle Crowder
Posted at 01:21h, 12 FebruaryYou are my hero! I just looked at a map of female tailwheel pilots in NC and you are the only one who is listed. I am passionate about 1940’s era aircraft to the extent that I just passed the FAA written exam this week (score…93) with absolutely no real world experience. A buddy of mine has a 1940’s tailwheel and I absolutely fell in love with that plane. He took me up in it several times and taught me so much while I sat in the right seat. Now I have to finish! Thank you for being an inspiration!