Janet Patton of Denton, TX has been flying airplanes for 38 years. A Michigan native, she earned her wings at small airports throughout Southeast Michigan. Janet’s biggest aviation accomplishment was becoming Spirit Airlines first woman pilot in 1996 followed by the first woman Captain in 1998 when the company was headquartered in Michigan. She now works as American Airlines’ youngest woman Boeing 777 Captain. 

Janet started flying hot air balloons in 2004. A longtime student, she became a Commercial Lighter-Than-Air pilot in 2021. 

A member of the Ambassador Chapter 99s, Janet also serves on the International Board of Directors as a Director. She is interested in seeing more women Lighter-Than-Air pilots become 99s and has a goal to have 99 balloons around the world stand-up, tether or fly on November 2, 2028 (the 99th anniversary) and 100 balloons around the world stand-up, tether or fly on November 2, 2029 (the 99s 100th anniversary). In order to do this, we need more women LTA pilots to join us as members of the 99s. Information can be found at https://www.ninety-nines.org/join-99s.htm.