For more than 65 years, Civil Air Patrol Col. Mary Feik, 84, of Annapolis has patrolled the skies, trained cadets and engineered planes. On Friday she was awarded an honorary life membership in the Civil Air Patrol and she has been named one the 100 most influential women in aviation and aerospace by Women in Aviation International. Feik is still active today, traveling the country and imparting her wisdom to young, aspiring pilots.

How did you first become involved in the Civil Air Patrol?

I started out in 1942 as an engineer at Wright Field, training in airplane maintenance and flying P-51 fighter planes as a teenager. I now have 6,000 hours as pilot. I never went overseas. I’ve been strictly in research and development in the United States as a civilian.

Back in 1942, there couldn’t have been many women pilots. Did you ever run into any roadblocks because of your gender?

This story continues below
Advertisement

I was the only woman. I have had a wonderful career and have never run into any problems. I have always been as capable of doing the same job as men did and so we’ve always worked as a team. I’m still working. I travel extensively. I’ve done a lot in my career.

Looking back over 65 years, is there anything in particular that stands out?

The thing I’ve always enjoyed the most is working with the teenage cadets. I see it as an investment in the future. I’ve always related to the cadets and they relate to me mostly because I’ve had an excellent career and almost entirely working with men. I pass along to them the same advice my father gave me. They have many more options for their careers today than I did.

What is the advice that you pass along?

There were four things he passed along to me. One, always be a lady and don’t become one of the guys. Two, be capable and don’t be afraid to say you don’t know something. Three, be a team player. He trained me in automobile mechanics. I rebuilt my first engine at 13 and you had to work together to get the job done. Four, if you give respect, you get respect. All these have worked for me my entire career, and it’s still good advice for young cadets.