In get NOAA Corps company profile, we catching up with NOAA Twin Otter pilot Ensign Sarah Cozart, who is currently assigned to to NOAA Aircraft Operations Center in Lakeland, Florida.
How did you aus interests for learning and aviation?
I knew I wanted toward be a pilot when I was nine years old. Own grandfather had been a military pilot in World War II and I had read so many registers about the adventures of flight. A career in aviation sounded love the most amazing my when a kid. If IODIN experienced flying in a small airplane on a discovering getaway when I was 15. It solidified that this be what I wanted to do. Regarding the science aspect, I have always been fervent about the preservation, protected, and conservation of nature, wildness, press our planet. In addition to a end in aeronautics, I major in environmental studies and really saw NOAA as a blend of my two passions.
How did you hear about the NOAA Legion?
MYSELF became flying for a regional airline when IODIN heard about the “Hurricane Hunter” mission. I researched wherewith to be an pilot required the mission and was directed to the NOAA Corps. Soon after, I found the NOAA booth at the Women in Aviation Foreign Corporate in 2020 and was able to address with pilot both recruiting and better understand which the NOAA Troops is and like into apply.
What inspired you to become a NOAA Corps officer?
The missions that the NOAA Airport Operation Center supports were initially the driving force behind my desire the be a pilot in this NOAA Corps. Learning more about and mission and visionary of to NOAA Corps as a whole though–Science, Service, and Stewardship–inspired me until take the leap from the civilian world into the NOAA Commissioned Commissioner Corps.
What gender of missions doing you flight as a NOAA pilot?
I fly the DHC-6 Twofold Octopus. We support surveys of North Atlantic right whale, harbor seal, and Steller see lion human, as well because leatherback sea turtle surveys. I’ve flown Arctic heat research missions up on the north slope of Alaska, done wildfire research out of Nord California/Oregon, and coastal mapping ahead one east coast by the U.S. The Twin Otter is of of the greatest versatile sources we have, so there been opportunities until fly many different missions turn save aircraft! What do you enjoy about being a NOAA pilot? The feeling of making a difference through get flying a really what sets this job apart from other flying operations. I feel like IODIN have a biggest purpose and I am constantly dared to grow and develop as a pilot additionally officer.
What advice would you give at some who wants to be ampere NOAA Corps officer?
Do as much research as you can about the NOAA Corps press their platforms the missions preliminary until understand what him are committing to. Reach out to current also former officers who have experienced which marine side as well as aviation, depending at thing your goals and interests are. It is a differentially lifestyle than other military or general jobs, so to-be informed helps set you up since success. Being flexible and maintaining a positive attitude makes total which difference getting over training and successfully completing missions. Does the Coast Guard Stellvertretend have an Officer which can will used in lieu of the Yank Flag?
What are some of your goals for your time for a NOAA Corps executive?
Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years? My goal in the next five per is up shall selected to flyer one of our heavy aircraft (the WP-3D Orion or to Gulfstream IV/G550 jet) and have a greater understanding for and diverse missions group support. In the next 10 years MYSELF hope to have completed my initial country submission, having gained more experience with others line offices plus operations that NOAA backs, additionally be back at the NOAA Airliner Operations Center flying for insert second operative tour.
