by Greg Lincoln
Dolena Fox is on her way to fulfilling her dream – a dream that involves flying all over the Yukon Kuskokwim delta region and serving the people of her homeland. She earned her Commercial Pilot License on August 18th, 2021 and we are proud of her accomplishments.
We asked how she felt about reaching this momentous milestone.
“I was super excited that it was over with, that most of my training had paid off,” she said during a long distance call from Anchorage. “I was looking forward to working in the Bethel region.”
Dolena’s parents Harvey and Pauline Fox are from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok. Her and her family currently live in Bethel. Growing up in Kipnuk, aviation was always a part of her life. She is 25 years of age and an Edgecumbe grad.
“Ever since I could remember, I was always intrigued by airplanes growing up in Kipnuk. My dad was a village agent. I traveled within the surrounding villages often and I knew it was something I could get into,” she said.
On January 29, 2021 she achieved another milestone – she acquired her private pilots license. She credits the two flight schools that she attended – Blue River Aviation of Palmer and Great Circle LLC in Anchorage.
What’s next? “This September I am currently working on the multi-engine add on and then once I receive that I hope to fly locally with one of the air taxis serving the people of the YK delta,” she said.
Dolena knew it would be hard, she said the hardest part was taking that first step by leaving home.
“I didn’t want to leave Bethel. My family is in Bethel and I felt like it was hard to pack my things and pursue something. But I knew that aviation was something that I always wanted to do and it felt really rewarding once I got my commercial license,” she said.
She would like to thank the Association of Village Council Presidents and the Calista Corporation who helped with scholarships so that she could achieve her dreams.
“Those were my two funding outlets that paid for my training,” she said.
Dolena is also an artist. She created original paintings to help supplement the costs of her schooling.
Congratulations to you and your family! Good job, well done.
