Flying High

Lynn Aeronautics Student Shares Her Story

By Katherine Phelps, Staff Writer
The College of Aeronautics at Lynn University has welcomed a growing number of aspiring
female pilots, including junior Meaghan Dempsey, who simply loves aviation and the industry.
“I had just completed my private pilot license in Stuart, Florida,” said Dempsey. “I was looking
to stay in Florida for flight training, and I saw that Lynn had an aviation flight school and a
fashion program, so I thought I could continue to do both. So it was the perfect fit.”
Dempsey has a wealth of experience flying airplanes, primarily in New York and South Florida.
At Lynn, she flies at least three times a week, and what she enjoys most about the aviation
program is the number of expert instructors and the vicinity of the flight school to campus.
“The flight instructors are really great. It is a more personalized experience just with one
instructor throughout for rating or licensing,” said Dempsey. “You receive a lot of individualized
attention and you can ask a lot of questions,”
Always fascinated by airplanes, Dempsey took a discovery flight while in high school and was
hooked. Coincidentally, her grandfather is a commercial pilot and serves as a mentor for
Dempsey in addition to Jennifer Torres, an assistant professor in the College of Aeronautics.
“I consider flying both a hobby and a career,” said Dempsey. “I love flying for fun and I want to
pursue it as a career. My dream job is to fly for Delta because they travel internationally
everywhere. It is my dream airline to work for.”
Dempsey also enjoys the view, flying into sunsets, through clouds and learning about the various
instruments, systems and procedures involved in aviation.
She strives to complete her training and obtain her commercial pilot and certified flight instructor
licenses prior to graduation. Dempsey hopes to then enter the professional world of aviation by
becoming a flight instructor at Lynn