Eagle Air Med Pilot Jessica Meiris Offers Advice During Women of Aviation Week
3.7.2025
Among just 5.5% of female helicopter pilots in the United States, Meiris encourages aspiring aviators.
During Women of Aviation Week, Eagle Air Med, part of Guardian Flight, is proud to recognize Jessica Meiris as a leader and integral team member for their Alamosa base. As a certified pilot, Meiris is part of just 5.5% of helicopter pilots* in the United States who are women, breaking barriers and serving as a role model.
“Aviation in general is a very small world, helicopters are even smaller, and women in helicopters, well, you get the idea,” states Meiris. “I made quick progress through flight training, the first few jobs, getting into longline piloting, and now helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), and all of it, every job and important opportunity, came from strong networking, creativity, persistence and self-advocacy.” For the aspiring female aviator, Meiris adds, “Live the golden rule - be nice to people. Get creative with opportunities and think outside the box. Network like your life depends on it.”
Women of Aviation Week takes place annually during the week of March 8 to honor the anniversary of the first woman to earn a pilot’s license, Raymonde de Laroche, in 1910. The week is a celebration of the contributions and achievements of women in the aviation and aerospace industries, aiming to inspire and educate young girls and women about careers in aviation and aerospace, recognize the historical contributions of women in aviation, and promote gender equality in the industry.
Meiris joined Eagle Air Med earlier this year, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a unique background as she flies H-125 medically equipped helicopters. On a non-traditional path to aviation, Meiris started flight training at 37 after a 16-year career as a mountain and rock-climbing guide. “I needed a new career that was less physically demanding, still mentally challenging, and kept me in the mountains,” shares Meiris. She prioritized early jobs in mountain environments, including work with a scenic tour operation and flight instruction. Flying helicopters in Alaska for longline utility operations, operating a specialized helicopter using a long cable to transport loads externally, continued to fill this need.
Seeking more stability than seasonal longline work in Alaska and greater diversity in flight experience, Meiris looked to a career in HEMS, and found the Alamosa base particularly attractive due to its challenging mountain environment surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks, drawing in outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world.
In comparing her time in HEMS to longline piloting, Meiris shares that longline work and HEMS require different skills at a high level, but carry the similarity of close interactions with teammates, crew and ground personnel in time-critical and challenging environments. “I'd highly recommend developing your emotional intelligence and communication skills,” offers Meiris to those considering a career as an EMS helicopter pilot. “Learning to work effectively with people is more important at times than your flying skills.”
Meiris encourages aspiring female aviators to stay focused on their goals and not to accept perceived limitations. “My whole life has been on a path not typically walked by women, from previous careers to trailblazing rock-climbing records to choosing not to have kids,” continues Meiris. “There will be barriers, there will be setbacks, there will be naysayers. Stay true to your goals, ruthlessly network, advocate for yourself, be vulnerable, and never take no for an answer.”
Eagle Air Med is proud to have Meiris as part of the team and a role model for future aviators. She exemplifies the qualities of a natural team leader and her contributions inspire her colleagues and elevate the standards of excellence within the Eagle Air Med family.
“Aviation in general is a very small world, helicopters are even smaller, and women in helicopters, well, you get the idea,” states Meiris. “I made quick progress through flight training, the first few jobs, getting into longline piloting, and now helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), and all of it, every job and important opportunity, came from strong networking, creativity, persistence and self-advocacy.” For the aspiring female aviator, Meiris adds, “Live the golden rule - be nice to people. Get creative with opportunities and think outside the box. Network like your life depends on it.”
Women of Aviation Week takes place annually during the week of March 8 to honor the anniversary of the first woman to earn a pilot’s license, Raymonde de Laroche, in 1910. The week is a celebration of the contributions and achievements of women in the aviation and aerospace industries, aiming to inspire and educate young girls and women about careers in aviation and aerospace, recognize the historical contributions of women in aviation, and promote gender equality in the industry.
Meiris joined Eagle Air Med earlier this year, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a unique background as she flies H-125 medically equipped helicopters. On a non-traditional path to aviation, Meiris started flight training at 37 after a 16-year career as a mountain and rock-climbing guide. “I needed a new career that was less physically demanding, still mentally challenging, and kept me in the mountains,” shares Meiris. She prioritized early jobs in mountain environments, including work with a scenic tour operation and flight instruction. Flying helicopters in Alaska for longline utility operations, operating a specialized helicopter using a long cable to transport loads externally, continued to fill this need.
Seeking more stability than seasonal longline work in Alaska and greater diversity in flight experience, Meiris looked to a career in HEMS, and found the Alamosa base particularly attractive due to its challenging mountain environment surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks, drawing in outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world.
In comparing her time in HEMS to longline piloting, Meiris shares that longline work and HEMS require different skills at a high level, but carry the similarity of close interactions with teammates, crew and ground personnel in time-critical and challenging environments. “I'd highly recommend developing your emotional intelligence and communication skills,” offers Meiris to those considering a career as an EMS helicopter pilot. “Learning to work effectively with people is more important at times than your flying skills.”
Meiris encourages aspiring female aviators to stay focused on their goals and not to accept perceived limitations. “My whole life has been on a path not typically walked by women, from previous careers to trailblazing rock-climbing records to choosing not to have kids,” continues Meiris. “There will be barriers, there will be setbacks, there will be naysayers. Stay true to your goals, ruthlessly network, advocate for yourself, be vulnerable, and never take no for an answer.”
Eagle Air Med is proud to have Meiris as part of the team and a role model for future aviators. She exemplifies the qualities of a natural team leader and her contributions inspire her colleagues and elevate the standards of excellence within the Eagle Air Med family.
