In fact, it was only in 2007 that South Africa had its first female commander on long-range international flights when Jane Trembath took the helm of the Airbus A340, one of the behemoths of modern air travel. Only six years earlier she set another milestone when she captained the first all-women crew on a flight from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth and back.
Jane Trembath: I grew up in Cape Town and went to Wynberg Girls' High School. I got the idea of flying when I was 16 and went in a light aircraft for the first time on a family holiday to the Wild Coast. It was so exciting, I just knew I had to be a pilot. My parents were not conventional thinkers, so when I told them, they never told me that a woman couldn't do that.
Trembath: I would like to build my career as an inspirational speaker and share what I've learnt about finding my personal power - as a woman in a man's world.
Trembath: My days are varied because a long-range flight takes me away from home for a few days. I usually go to work in the evening.
During the day I will do my conservancy work and ride my bicycle for exercise.
Later I prepare for work. I pack my suitcase and read some of my flight documents at home, then dress in my uniform and go to the airport for an overnight long-range flight.
Trembath: The first challenge was actually getting employed in the 1980s, as no-one wanted to hire a woman pilot.
Secondly, I had to learn to deal with prejudice and even hostile behaviour. I found that I couldn't change the mind-set of others, but I could change myself from the inside. Now, I decide whether it is important, and then find the best way to respond. You always have the answers within!
Trembath: My most awesome moment was being the captain of the first Boeing all-female crew in South Africa in 2001. I felt we made a statement that women had truly arrived in aviation - something important to me. Even many years afterwards I still have women telling me how they felt empowered by it.
Trembath: I am the chairperson of Korsman Conservancy, a non-profit organisation that cares for the Korsman Bird Sanctuary in Benoni. I have learnt a great deal about managing the environment as well as identifying plant and animal species. I also apply the leadership skills I've learnt as a pilot in dealing with the council and the community.
Trembath: Thuli Madonsela and Archbishop Tutu - for their courage and integrity in speaking their truth.
Trembath: You must take a positive action every day towards turning that dream into reality.
Trembath: My addictions are the cryptic crossword and drinking lots of tea.
Find out more about Jane Trembath and her career on her website, www.trembath.co.za.
