Rachel Lindvig’s aviation experiences started her freshman year at the University of North Dakota showing up not knowing fully what to expect.  Having grown up in rural Northwest Ohio as the daughter of a tractor mechanic and floral designer, she is a first generation pilot in her family.  She started college at 17 and poured her heart and soul into her first 3 months of college going from 0 to private pilot.  Rachel took advantage of all of the training that UND had to offer by earning her Commercial Multi and Single Engine Airplane, Instrument, CFI, CFII, MEI, Single-Engine Sea, and Tailwheel endorsements.

Always enjoying going to museums to see the older aircraft and wanting to know their story, but one more than others, the DC-3.  She set her sights on flying one some day.  After college Rachel went to fly for 2 regional airlines before earning her wings at American Airlines as an A320 First Officer.

While living in the Detroit area, she became involved with the local Women in Aviation Chapter and became connected with a few people in the Yankee Air Museum, now Michigan Flight Museum.  Rachel was graciously brought into the C-47 team by taking on the task of helping to create a new comprehensive systems training manual, which had not been updated in over 20 years.  She then tackled creating a C-47 flight training manual and updating photos and ground school PowerPoints.

Rachel’s latest endeavors have been to take on the role of Director of Safety for the Michigan Flight Museum.  She cannot wait to see how the future of the museum unfolds.  The modernization of many different facets of the flight program has been an honor to be a part of.

Rachel is also excited to be as board member of the DC-3 Society.  She also is a board member of the Michigan Aviation Education Foundation serving as Vice President.  Rachel is dedicated to ensuring to keep the knowledge of those before us doesn’t get lost but is carried forward for future generations.