Former airline Captain Cathy Cook shares insight into her aviation career during a visit by Citrus Heights and Orangevale Girl Scouts to the California Aerospace Museum. Fellow volunteer is Eric Magnusson.

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - When Cathy Cook points out bullet holes in an A-10 fuselage at the California Aerospace Museum, she could be forgiven a shudder. As an aircraft commander during the Gulf Wars, she refueled these aircraft at 18,000 feet as they flew to enemy targets in Iraq.

During her 11-year Air Force career, Cook took the heat. Commanding the K C-135 air-refueling tanker, Cook dealt daily with Air Force, Navy and Marine and NATO pilots. Cook’s missions included war zone deployments and duties in Europe.

“I’ve proven my skills in a career of decision-making and troubleshooting,” said the 67 year old. “Flying captain for the Air Force required great tact and diplomacy. Especially for a woman. I’ve applied everything I’ve learned to everything I’ve ever done.”

Now retired from decades as a Delta Airlines pilot, Cook is a lead-by-example mentor for young visitors seeking STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education at the Aerospace Museum.

Cathy Cook demonstrates an A-10 fighter’s bullet power during a Girl Scout Day at the California Aerospace Museum.

“What I’m doing now is more important than anything I’ve done before,” Cook said. “I’m helping to shape the future of our country. Young people I talk to are the next generation of engineers, pilots, astronauts and technicians. It won’t be a big deal for women to fill these jobs. They’ll be naturally accepted.

That was not always the case. Tall, slender and long-legged, Cook stood out like a 1980s career Barbie when sauntering through airports in her Delta uniform.

“I got head-turns,” she recalled. “It was so unusual to see a woman pilot back then. A captain friend was uncomfortable walking next to me. He didn’t like the attention. When we said goodbye to people getting off our flights, women would nudge their husbands and say, ‘See, honey, we had a woman pilot.’ Moms would tell their daughters they could grow up to be like me.”

Even now, in vintage flight suit, Cook is a magnet for youngsters. Her gender, uniform, rank, even the memorable “Captain Cook” moniker, have made her a force of inspiration for much of her life. When her late husband (Colonel Frasier Fortner) ran Junior ROTC programs at Highlands High School, his pilot wife was an unpaid aide.  

“He’d have me talk to his classes about careers in the Air Force and how my military time led to a Delta Airlines career,” Cook said. “I told them when I first entered the Air Force, hardly any other women were flying. Even as a Lieutenant, I was invited to talk at schools and air shows. I always felt it was part of my job to expand people’s ideas and to show girls and women that the glass ceiling was broken. You never know how you might spark someone’s interest in a way that changes their life.”

A mother of two sons, Cook has captained her Carmichael neighborhood’s resident association for more than 10 years.  In 2019, she unsuccessfully ran for District 7 Assembly.  Following the election, Cook was sought by California Aerospace Museum directors.

Homemade parachutes demonstrate aerodynamic principles. Girl Scouts consult volunteer Cathy Cook while working for engineering merit badges.

“They told me they wanted to focus on STEM education,” Cook said. “That really was up my alley. We had no hands-on museums when I was growing up. There weren’t female role models in aviation, except perhaps for Amelia Erhardt and things didn’t end well for her. So the museum’s emphasis on science and technological learning was something I happily embraced.”

The volunteer job includes board meetings and youth mentorship at the North Highlands facility.

“I’m in my element,” Cook said.  “My career has been a privilege. I want to show young people, especially girls, that they could have opportunities like mine. If I can inspire them to work hard and persevere, they can take their dreams as far as they want. The sky’s no longer the limit; outer space is accessible. And it’s not just for pilots and astronauts; there are so many exciting opportunities. So many smart, adventurous people will be needed for the future of aviation.”

Learn more about the Aerospace Museum at aerospaceca.org.