Flygirl

Ida begins flying with a hood pulled over the cockpit. She likes this better than the simulator: “[W]hen you’re under the hood in a real airplane, you can’t see the sky, but you can feel it. I feel safe” (153). Lily is flying with her, reading the map. If Ida passes this test, she can move onto training for long distance solo flights, and then graduation. In the plane, Ida and Lily talk about how they both want to work in ferrying detail after graduation. Even though Patsy wants to work in target towing, the two of them make a pact to stay together after graduation. After they land, everyone congratulates them for making it to the next phase of training.

On Christmas, Ida steps outside to be alone. Patsy comes out to ask what’s wrong, and Ida tells her she misses her family. Patsy says that it’s the worst during the holidays, but she, Lily, and Ida are a family now. Patsy and Ida go inside to open presents with Lily. In the barracks, a trainee comes in to tell Ida that a black woman is there to see her. Ida goes outside and sees her mother waiting for her.