05/18/2022
Fullerton 99s Jenny Kanakis was featured on the Lady Aviators page.
WEEKLY SPOTLIGHT ⭐️
“Hey lady aviators! I’m Jenny Kanakis. I’m a 29 year-old Air Force pilot, airline pilot, CFI, vintage warbird pilot and aircraft owner in SoCal.
I got my start in the Aviation Explorers and working at FBOs. After getting my PPL, I taught grounds as an AGI and bought shares in an AA1 and later a C172, added on my IRA, CSEL and multi, tailwheel, high performance, & complex endorsements. My first type rating was the DC3 right before I got my CFI. I applied for every scholarship I could find & was on payroll as a tutor at Cypress College where I did the Comm Pilot AS program.
I was fortunate to fly in the San Diego airshow with the 99‘s, a French air race hosted by AOPA, some aerial ash-scattering, and got a BS in Aviation Management from SIU. I worked for a couple flight schools including Aviator Flight Training at KCCB flying tailwheels & warbirds.
Feeling unfulfilled in my desire to serve and help others through aviation, I started the work to become a military aviator with the help of my friend and airplane co-owner, Chris. Fast forward a few years, I am now a tactical airlift pilot on the C130J Super Hercules flying for the Channel Islands ANG. I love it!
I started flying for Skywest Airlines this year and now divide my flying time between the ERJ 175, the C130J, my C172, a BT-13, various DC3s, instruct out of KCCB and am restoring a 1948 Navion I own with my husband. I graduate Delta State University this week as a Master of Commercial Aviation. Finally!
I have been truly blessed with extraordinary friends, mentors, life-changing experiences and best of all have the love of an incredible man and pilot. My husband is an Air Force Reserve pilot on the KC-135 and deserves a lot of credit for putting up with all of my adventures.
My advice to growing pilots is to apply for as many scholarships as you can, surround yourself with people who are where you want to be, thank those who help you & pay it forward. My aim in sharing my story is to be a source of information for you, so please reach out if you have any questions.
Blue skies!”
