Finding Myself in Aviation | Mary Build’s Inspiring Story of Flying, Seaplanes, and Second Chances

Finding Myself in Aviation | Mary Build’s Inspiring Story of Flying, Seaplanes, and Second Chances

Author: Liz Booker - Pilot, Writer, Aviation Diversity Advocate September 27, 2025 Duration: 1:06:35
Send us Fan Mail At age 47, Mary Build took her very first flight lesson. What followed was a remarkable 30-year career in aviation—flying seaplanes, running her own seaplane base in Maine, flying to Alaska, competing in the Air Race Classic, and serving as a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). In this interview, Mary shares her powerful journey from overcoming personal challenges to becoming a respected leader in aviation. We talk about her memoir Finding Myself in Aviation, the courage it take...

Hosted by pilot and writer Liz Booker, Literary Aviatrix: The Power of Story-Women in Aviation explores the rich intersection of flight and narrative. Each episode features conversations with authors who have placed women aviators at the heart of their work, spanning fiction and nonfiction, from forgotten historical figures to contemporary pioneers. You’ll hear about the specific challenges and triumphs these stories uncover, moving beyond simple biography to understand the deeper cultural and personal forces at play. This podcast is driven by a dual mission: to celebrate these compelling books and to dissect the craft behind them. In dedicated Writers' Room segments, Liz and her guests delve into the practical aspects of storytelling, offering insights on research, writing, and the publishing process for anyone interested in adding their own voice to this genre. It’s more than an interview series; it’s a resource and a community, championing diversity in the skies and on the page. Tune in for a unique blend of literary analysis and aviation passion, all grounded in Liz Booker’s perspective as an advocate for broader representation in both fields.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Literary Aviatrix: The Power of Story - Women in Aviation
Podcast Episodes
Soar Into Joy with my first 'Leadership and Development' series guest, US Navy S-3B Viking pilot and Tech Industry veteran Loree 'Rowdy' Draude, first wave of women to deploy on a carrier, and one-woman show actress. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:23
Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the new Literary Aviatrix Leadership and Development author interview series. Loree "Rowdy" Draude was a combat pilot among the first women to deploy on an aircraft carrier. She also navigated…
Aviatrix Book Club 2024 Reading List Announcement [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:28
Send us Fan Mail Announcing the FOURTH Aviatrix Book Club annual reading list! With so many fabulous books it's hard to choose only twelve. I hope you're as excited as I am about the diversity of genre, types of flying,…
Aviatrix Book Club November 2024 - USAF Test Pilot and First Female NASA Space Shuttle Pilot & Commander, Col. Eileen Collins (ret.) talks about her journey from childhood to space, and her memoir, Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:07
Send us Fan Mail In this interview with Astronaut Pilot Eileen Collins, she talks about her path, from her childhood in Elmira, New York, through community college and ROTC, to Air Force Flight Training, Instructing, a c…
Aviatrix Book Club October 2023 Coast Guard H65 Dauphin Helicopter Flight Mechanic Ashlee Leppert talks about rescue response during Hurricane Harvey, earning the Air Medal, and being an honored guest at the State of the Union Address [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:47
Send us Fan Mail In this interview with Coast Guard Aviation Electronics Technician and H65 Dolphin Helicopter Flight Mechanic, Ashlee Leppert, we talk about her memoir The Hurricane Within, which recounts her experience…