Meagan Varley

A small town girl raised in the suburbs of Pittsburg, Meagan Varley graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2002 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. She went to flight school in Pensacola, and in 2004 was “lucky enough” to be one of the final four pilots to select F-14 Tomcats. In 2005, she completed more than 30 combat sorties in the Persian Gulf. While most young girls were drooling over Tom Cruise in the move “Top Gun,” Meagan was drooling over the aircraft.

Bella: What will you discuss at the Expo?
Varley: I plan to discuss what inspired me to start flying and my road to where I am now, including what its like being a woman in the Naval Aviation community.

Bella: Who got you interested in flying?
Varley: I saw “Top Gun” when I was 10 and I was hooked!

Bella: Three pieces of advice for women trying to follow a dream.
Varley: First off-never give up, that is the most important. Second: Become educated on it, and what you need to do to get to your dream. Third: Have a support group or person, even if you just have one friend that tells you can do it, and will give you support on the days you are having a hard time it can make all the difference.

Bella: Who or what do you credit with your success?
Varley: My amazing friends and family and the awesome town that I grew up in, Dorseyville, Penn.

Bella: What are your future goals/plans?
Varley: I still have five years left in the Navy. After that, it will depend on my personal life. I will either stay in, or perhaps get out and have children. After starting a family, I am interested in continuing with my Navy career, possibly working for NASA, becoming a teacher, or working for the airlines.