069 Life Lessons in the Stratosphere and Defying Expectations with U-2 Pilot Merryl Tengesdal

When Women Fly

Merryl Tengesdal is one of aviation's most fascinating women. With accomplished careers in both the Navy and the Air Force, Merryl’s perhaps most notable achievement is being the only African American woman to fly the United States Air Force's U-2 aircraft, a spy plane used for specialized high-altitude reconnaissance missions. Flying the U-2 requires grit, confidence, and extreme focus, all qualities that have earned Merryl the privilege of sharing the spy plane’s nickname, The Dragon Lady.
Besides her decades of experience in flight, what sets Merryl apart is her inquisitive, passionate nature and belief in her own capabilities. As a leader, mother, author, philanthropist, and more, Merryl inspires people from all walks of life to believe in themselves and chase their dreams.
In this episode, Merryl and Sylvia discuss how experiences serve as preparation for future situations, what it was like growing up in the Bronx as a girl in the ‘70s, the experience of flying solo at 70,000 ft altitude in the U-2, the importance of solitude and self-reflection, and lessons Merryl learned along the way about flight, parenthood, and self-worth.
Topics Include:
- How “Star Trek” and Captain Kirk inspired a young Merryl’s desire to explore the unknown
- Merryl’s experience as a pilot in the Navy and Air Force
- What it was like learning to fly in the military
- The history of the U-2 aircraft
- Intricacies and challenges of piloting the U-2 aircraft
- How Merryl is planning on getting to outer space
- Gaining perspective about life while flying
- Myths and stereotypes of being a working mother
- The intensity and process of writing her autobiography, Shatter the Sky
- Merryl’s experience on the competitive reality show, “Tough as Nails”
- And other topics…
Merryl Tengesdal is a military veteran and former Director of Inspections who served for The Air Force Inspector General from October 2015 through August 2017. Merryl served in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan as a US Air Force Colonel. She has over 23 years of both Air Force and Navy flying aviation experience. She retired from the military in 2017. Merryl is the first and only African American woman to fly the US Air Force U-2 Aircraft. Beyond her extensive experience as a pilot, Merryl is an author, motivational speaker, leadership consultant, NASM & AFAA Certified Personal Trainer, and reality show contestant.
Connect with Merryl:
Instagram: @dragonlady788
Website: https://merryltengesdal.com/
Resources Mentioned:
Legacy Flight Academy: https://www.legacyflightacademy.org/
Mission 22: https://mission22.com/
Sierra College: https://www.sierracollege.edu/about-us/sierra-college-foundation/
Tough as Nails Season 2: https://www.cbs.com/shows/tough-as-nails/
Shatter the Sky by Merryl Tengesdal: https://www.amazon.com/Shatter-Sky-stratosphere-self-worth-discipline/dp/1737907313
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