Anita DeVillegas was inspired to become a pilot because of her experience working as a Public Health Bush-Nurse in Africa and in Colombia, South America. In these places, the only mode of transportation was by foot, horse or a small single engine airplane. The little Cherokee 140 that was used in the bush was so much help that she thought it would be a plus to become a pilot. She got her Belgian and Swiss license in 1974. In 1975 she went to California to get her Commercial and IFR ratings. And so, that was the start.

After years of working as Bush Nurse, along with some flying in Africa, she came to Houston, Texas for a sabbatical year in which she started an "ultra-light" business. When the market went down, she switched to the "classic" airplanes and small "war-birds" (T-6/T-34/T-28/Stearman/L-19/Cubs) to buy/sell/and refurbish. She got hooked on it and is still doing it....She moved to Florida from Houston in 1990. She traded her PA-30 Twin-Comanche for a Cessna-182. The PA-30 had been a good cross-country machine that took her all around America and South America.

Anita shares, “I miss the flight and the work for the initial reason I became a pilot. I was fortunate to fly for "Aviation without Borders" in Mali, for "Wings of Hope" in Guatemala/Honduras. I wish I could do more of this type of flying!” She has also flown a few missions for Angel Flight in the past.

She looks for as many opportunities as she can to fly her C-182, "Trusty Bird." Getting air in its tires is a good reason to go test fly!

Anita also works a couple of days a week at an animal clinic. She started a wild-bird rehabilitation center at her house for injured birds and baby orphan birds.

Anita looks forward to flying for SouthWings.