WAI Connect Blog

Scholarships for A&Ps -- ACT NOW!

2012-01-31T12:08:00.003-05:00

Denise Waters, president of Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance, reports:

AWAM still has multiple scholarships for which the applications were extended and will be closing Feb 4th. Only female applicants for these particular scholarships.

For any women who have an A&P certificate, or will have before taking the courses:

- 3 UPS Maintenance Scholarships [Familiarization Courses on A300, 757, 767]

- 2 UPS Avionics Scholarships. [Fundamentals]

NOTE: UPS Scholarships INCLUDE training plus transportation and lodging (1-2 wks).

For any female students wanting to study at PIA, (Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics):

- 4 PIA Student scholarships.

Also note for next year, AWAM’s complete line of scholarships, including both women and men, comes out every year by September so look on the website for the much longer list of offerings then.

For more information, see AWAM's site at http://awam.org/

Need Member Input for WAI Show Daily

2012-01-28T22:50:00.000-05:00

On Saturday during the Conference, we will have a speaker from the Girl Scouts on encouraging girls to be leaders. I am a former Girl Scout and it seems as if many times when I know how to do something unusual and people marvel, "How did you know that?" I say I learned it in Girl Scouts.

So I thought it would be fun to compile some of these things for an article in Saturday's Show Daily. If you are a WAI member, and you were a Girl Scout, please tell me what particular thing you learned in Girl Scouts that you have taken with you into your adult life.

Please include your full name and your WAI member number, and send your responses to me at PatriciaLu@aol.com. Need responses by February 3.

Thanks!

Striking a Balance Panel at WAI Conference Looking for Panel Members

2012-01-13T15:46:00.000-05:00

How do military Moms with children manage their careers? How are YOU doing it? Share your story and help other women with this BIG question.

The Women in Aviation International Conference will take place March 8-10, 2012 in Dallas, Texas. The “Striking a Balance Panel” sponsored by the Women Military Aviators (www.womenmilitaryaviators.org) will take place on Saturday, March 10, 2012, from 2 to 2:50 PM and is designed to educate women aviators by having active, reserve and guard military women tell the audience just how they manage it.

Three panel members are still needed, especially from the Marine, Army and Coast Guard, but all branches will be considered. If you are interested in becoming a panel member, contact moderator Barb Garwood (former Air Force pilot and American Airlines Captain) at machnumberone@yahoo.com.

Still Time to Apply for New WAI Scholarships!

2012-01-12T16:42:00.000-05:00

This just in! The Boeing Company will award one last minute 737-NG Type Rating Certificate Scholarship. If you have already applied for two other WAI scholarships, you are not eligible to apply for this one. Candidates must possess Commercial, Multi-Engine and Instrument ratings with a minimum of 1,500 hours fixed wing total time, instrument currency and possess a First Class Medical with no waivers.

To apply, complete the official WAI Scholarships 2012 application. Submit a 500 word essay outlining your aviation career plans including how the award of this scholarship will help you obtain your aviation career goals. Applicants must provide one letter of recommendation from a flight instructor whom you have received dual instruction.

The recipient must complete the ATP written exam prior to training. The course duration is approximately 3 weeks and will be scheduled on a space available basis. All standard training materials will be provided. The scholarship does not include transportation, housing, meals or personal expenses. Boeing will provide suggestions for cost effective housing upon request. Scholarship Deadline: January 20, 2012.

(Scholarship value $35,000)

The Joseph Finelli Memorial Aviation Scholarship (2)

The Joseph Finelli Memorial Aviation Scholarship is awarded in memory of the president of Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA) by his wife, Nancy. Two $2000 scholarships for academic study for either an undergraduate or graduate degree in some aspect of aviation will be awarded. Scholarship Deadline: January 20, 2012.

(Scholarship value $1000 each; $2000 total)

Women in Aviation, International is made up of dreamers–every one of us. Our scholarship awards are a major part of what our organization is all about. In the past 22 years WAI has disbursed millions of dollars to its members to help them get ahead and advance into the aviation and aerospace careers they have always dreamed about. Our scholarships help teachers fulfill their dreams, too, by providing them with the resources they need to bring aviation into their classrooms or to enhance their skills.

Don't delay! Get your scholarship information together and send it in before the deadline! For more information go to: www.wai.org/education/scholarships.cfm.

Three Type Rating Scholarships valued at over $45,000 being awarded at Free China Job Fair

2012-01-12T16:35:00.000-05:00

Pan Am International Flight Academy announced that it is awarding three pilot type rating scholarships to pilots attending February’s All China Pilot Job Fair.

Qualified pilots who have registered to attend either the Miami China Job Fair on February 23-24 held at Pan Am’s headquarters on the Miami International Airport, or the Las Vegas China Job Fair on February 26 are automatically entered into the drawing from which a name will be randomly selected and awarded each of the three days of the fair. Each scholarship is valued at over $15,000.

The scholarship type ratings being awarded include:

January 23rd – Miami- Boeing 737 Type Rating Scholarship

January 24th – Miami – Airbus 320 Type Rating Scholarship

January 26th –Las Vegas – Boeing 737 Type Rating Scholarship

The free All China Job Fair, sponsored by Pan Am International Flight Academy and WASINC International, China’s largest pilot leasing company, is expected to be heavily attended with pilots seeking to apply for jobs with ten of China’s top Airlines participating in the event. Visiting Chinese aviation officials and pilots currently employed in China will also be on hand. Conditional job offers are expected to be extended on the spot.

Mr. Gregory Darrow, Pan Am’s Senior Director of Sales states: “We’re excited to offer these type rating scholarships to participating pilots at the fair. An already electrifying event (the job fair) just got more exciting! If you’re a pilot ready to take it to the next level and have an interest in the burgeoning aviation opportunities in China, then this event and these scholarships are just the ticket.”

To register for the free All China Pilot Job Fair and scholarship, or for additional information, applicants are asked to visit: www.panamacademy.com/china-job-fair.

Calling all WAI Twitterers

2012-01-05T17:21:00.000-05:00

Want to Tweet about the upcoming WAI Conference in Dallas? The official Twitter designation for the Conference is #WAI12. (That's WAI followed by the number 12.) Go ahead -- Tweet your intentions to attend!

Nominate A Woman in Technology for an Award

2012-01-03T11:03:00.001-05:00

Avionics Magazine’s Women in Technology Awards program provides an excellent opportunity to recognize an individual’s or company’s role in promoting women in technology fields. The awards highlight many of the technological innovations driven by women in the field of aviation electronics today. Do you know someone who would be a perfect recipient of these awards?

Check out the award descriptions and nominate yourself, a colleague, or your company to be recognized for their achievements. Award recipients will be honored at an event in Washington, D.C., on June 4, 2012. Deadline for submissions is March 2, 2012.

Headlines from AWAM

2012-01-02T16:39:00.000-05:00

AWAM is the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance, and here are some news flashes from them:

AWAM Scholarship deadline extended to January 15, 2012!
AWAM Recurrent Training March 8, 2012, Dallas, TX.
AWAM Celebrates 15th year anniversary, March 9, 2012, Dallas, TX.

For information on any of these topics, just visit AWAM at http://www.awam.org/.

Volunteer Writers Needed

2011-12-28T19:25:00.000-05:00

Are you ready for some CONFERENCE?

We're starting to put together the first issue of The Daily -- that's WAI's own daily newsletter that we distribute at the Conference. There's three issues, the first of which is given to you upon arrival in Dallas when you register.

That's where you come in. We need some help to produce the first issue.

Here's what we need:

Personal essays: The theme of this year's Conference is "Reaching Tomorrow Today" so we want members to write no more than 400 words on this topic. Your essay can explore any aspect of that theme such as: What are you doing today to prepare for your future? What advice would you give a young woman now to make her path smoother in her career? What tools would help you prepare for your own future? When you see your future, what is it? Do not answer all of these questions -- just pick one, or explore a different aspect of the theme and write about that.

We also need a high-resolution photo of you to accompany your article. A photo of you in an aviation setting is preferred, but not required.

You do not have to be a published writer or any thing close -- just be a WAI member with an enthusiastic attitude.

In addition, I have a number of writing assignments about specific topics for the Conference. If you are interested in one of these, contact me at PatriciaLu@aol.com. If you have a specific idea about an article you think would be useful for the Conference, just run it by me.

PERSONAL ESSAYS AND YOUR PHOTO ARE DUE MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012.

We love that our Daily is member-written, so we're looking forward to reading your articles.

Pat Luebke, Editor of WAI Daily

Fair sex give wings to dreams

2011-12-24T04:00:00.000-05:00

Rabia Futehally is perhaps the only hobby flyer in India who used to pilot an aircraft wearing a sari. She was 25-year-old , mother to a nine-month old, when she first climbed into the high cockpit of a Piper PA-18 aircraft in the early sixties.

Futehally was one of the hundred-odd women-women from different generations and countries-who attended a conference on women in civil aviation organised by Indian Women Pilots Association (IWPA) on Friday.

Though there are no definite statistics on gender ratio of pilots in India, according to estimates, women constitute about 10% of employed pilots. It is a higher percentage than other countries . Even though women have a small presence in aviation, their contribution stands out, especially when they are employed as instructors.

"Women see every student's capability and teach accordingly ," says Capt Lisa Clark, who has been an instructor with aircraft manufacturer Boeing for five years. Boeing has quite a few women instructors who train airline pilots on aircraft simulators. But when it comes to training on the actual aircraft, Capt Clark is the only woman in the batch of 17 instructors, in charge of training airline pilots on the Boeing 777 and 787 aircrafts. Read more about women pilots in India by clicking here.

Meet a WAI Member: Maria Ziadie-Haddad

2011-12-21T07:59:00.001-05:00

Maria Ziadie-Haddad became the first female captain on Air Jamaica in 1986. She is currently working with Atlas Air Inc in New York.

"I love flying," Ziadie-Haddad said. "I love it! It's in my blood. It's in my nature. My husband is also an airline pilot," she said. "We love it. It started when I was very young and my mom took me for my first flight..." Brian, too, did 21 years with Air Jamaica, 10 years as captain at the Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing and has been with JetBlue as a captain for the past seven years.

He admitted that while he was attracted to Ziadie-Haddad as a pilot, it was really her mind that had him hooked.

Ziadie-Haddad's interest in flying started at age five when she took her first familiarization flight.

This passion was further piqued when she started working with Air Jamaica as a flight attendant in 1974. In March 1975, she took an introductory flight at Wings Jamaica Ltd and commenced flying lessons, earning her private pilot certificate that December.

In 1977, she earned her Jamaican commercial certificate, the third woman to do so in Jamaica. Then in 1978 she worked part time at Rutair and Wings Jamaica Ltd as an instructor before joining Air Jamaica as a second officer in 1979.

Come 2012, the proud female pilot will be flying the new Boeing 747-8 freighters. Ziadie-Haddad is a member of the International Society of Women Airline Pilots, the Ninety-Nines, Women in Aviation International, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Ziadie-Haddad

WWII Pilot Gives $2 Million to Flight Nursing Program

2011-12-13T09:47:00.000-05:00

Ebersbach (far right) with fellow WASPs

A pioneering female aviator who served her country during World War II has made a gift to Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing — a gift that combine her love of flight and her dedication to nursing.

Alumna Dorothy E. Ebersbach, who passed away Nov. 14, has pledged $2 million to establish the Dorothy Ebersbach Academic Center for Flight Nursing. The center will expand on the flight nursing program’s mission of training graduate-level nursing students to provide critical, on-site care during emergencies and transport to medical facilities.

“This generous gift will reinforce the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing’s status as a leader in flight nurse education and research,” says Mary E. Kerr, dean of the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. “Dorothy Ebersbach was a true innovator, which makes her support for this cutting-edge program so appropriate.”

Ebersbach, a Pomeroy, Ohio, native who was born Dec. 9, 1914, led an extraordinary life. In 1943, after earning her pilot’s license she applied to the Women Airforce Service Pilots. She was one of just more than 1,000 women selected to report for duty. These young women were the first trained to fly American military aircraft. They ran non-combat missions — ferrying new planes long distances from factories to military bases and testing newly overhauled aircraft, among other duties. Thirty-eight WASP fliers lost their lives while serving during the war.

The WASP was disbanded in 1944, but members were considered civilians rather than military personnel; they were not granted veteran status until the 1970s. In 2009, however, Ebersbach and her peers received the Congressional Gold Medal for their brave service.

When an opportunity arose to give to the flight nursing program, Ebersbach was thrilled about the opportunity to support a program that was such a good personal fit for her, said Gayla Russell, a longtime friend to Ebersbach and a co-trustee of her estate.

“The flight nursing program at Case Western Reserve embodies Dorothy’s spirit and that of her generation,” Russell said.

The flight nursing center at the school of nursing is a master’s level program requiring advanced practice clinical courses, a concentration in flight nursing and participation in an internship through the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, during which students accompany flight teams on critical transport missions. The program, the world’s first of its kind, was founded in 2002.

“Instead of just transporting patients to the hospital for treatment, acute care nurse practitioners take the hospital to the patients for immediate intervention,” said Christopher Manacci, clinical director of the program. “They work at 15,000 to 30,000 feet above the traditional clinical environment and have to think in non-traditonal ways, which is something that Dorothy Ebersbach did throughout her life.”

Visit flightnurse.case.edu to learn more.

ERAU Starts Women's Mentor Program

2011-12-09T16:32:00.001-05:00

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is calling on more than 11,000 women graduates to give back. The Women’s Ambassador Program (WAP), operated by the Student Alumni Association, is working with the university’s Prescott and Daytona Beach campuses to create a team of “big sisters” for female students at Embry-Riddle. They will also represent the university at events, air shows and conferences throughout the country. Read more about the program by clicking here.

Getting Girls On Board: WAI Chapter Outreach

2011-11-30T13:31:00.000-05:00

NEW BEDFORD — Members of Girl Scout Junior Troop 65323 and Brownie Troop 80011 spent a recent Saturday morning at the New Bedford Municipal Airport with members of Atlantic Aviators, the Southeastern Massachusetts chapter of Women in Aviation, International. Led by chapter President Tammie Irwin, the girls toured the hangar at Colonial Air, sat in several different types of airplanes, and spoke with women pilots, such as Cape Air's Elin-Mari Heggland.

The event helped fulfill a step in the Girl Scout leadership journey called "It's Your Story — Tell It!" which explores the roles women play in the community. It also met one of Girl Scouts' core objectives — educating girls about careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

"We're very good at telling girls 'You can be whatever you want to be,' but we need to show them how to go about getting there. They need to see what types of careers are available and what education and training they will need to pursue them," said Kris Cambra, lead volunteer for the Junior Girl Scout troop.

Atlantic Aviators Denise Garcia, Bob Keith, Lisa Rodriguez, Natarsha Savaria, and Kaori Osa were on hand to answer questions about navigation, flight plans, and preparing for take-off. Each aviator described how she got involved in flying and what type of job she holds in the aviation industry. Dot Cunningham, owner/operator of Colonial Air and Atlantic Aviator treasurer, provided space for the meeting and talked about the support services her company provides.

"All of the women are positive role models for Girl Scouts," said Tracey Marques-Oliveira, lead volunteer for the Brownie troop. "They left them with this parting message: follow your passion, and success will follow."

For more information about the Atlantic Aviator's Women in Aviation Chapter, visit http://www.atlanticaviators.org/. Women in Aviation, International can be found at www.wai.org. To learn more about Girl Scouts, visit http://hergirlscouts.org.

Shop the WAI Store

2011-11-26T14:11:00.000-05:00

In the midst of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and the rest of the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, don't forget the great merchandise available at http://www.waistore.org//. Books, clothes, DVDs, and gifts for children are all available for purchase.

What better stocking stuffer than a copy of Ansel Brown's CD "When You Fly" which Ansel and his wife Lisa performed at the WAI AirVenture breakfast! It's just $6.00 and makes an ideal gift for a crewmate, office mate or company grab bag.

All your purchases benefit WAI too, so take a look at your list and visit http://www.waistore.org/. (By the way, Ansel and Lisa will be performing this song at the 2012 Conference in Dallas so buy a copy now and you just may be able to get the CD autographed in Dallas.)

Those Magnificent Women in Their Flying Machines

2011-11-14T14:49:00.001-05:00

Charming? Fetching? Adorable? Don’t believe your eyes.
As Elsie Mackay qualified near London for her pilot’s license in 1920, The Times’s caption of this picture made it sound as if aviation was just another caper in the breathless life of the naughty daughter of Lord Inchcape. Over her father’s objections, Mackay had married an actor and performed on the silent screen as Poppy Wyndham. Now, here she was, flirting with airplanes — almost literally.

Read more and see all the pictures from the New York Times archives of women in the early days of aviation here.

Bee Haydu featured in AOPA Flight Training

2011-11-11T21:45:00.000-05:00

The December 2011 edition of AOPA Flight Training magazine contains a profile of WASP Bee Haydu where she offers this advice for student pilots:

Stay with it. It's a challenge, but it's so worthwhile when you pick up that certificate. Don't let anyone talk you out of it.

As for her own "best aviation experience," Bee says it's "winning my wings." She goes on to say:

It was at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas. My mother and sister witnessed it.

Honoring our Veterans Worldwide

2011-11-11T13:46:00.000-05:00

Women in Aviation, International recognizes and salutes our veterans who have served with such courage and integrity on behalf of all citizens. We thank you for your service. Happy Veterans Day!

Women in Aviation Concorde Chapter Holds Successful Meeting at Brooklands Museum

2011-11-07T17:23:00.004-05:00

WAI members of the Concorde Chapter met at Brooklands Museum in Cobham, Surrey, England, on the 5th of November to share information, award scholarships, and to network.

"I learned to network from a founding board member of Women in Aviation, International back in 1997, at the first international conference that I attended," says Chapter President Jane Middleton. Her opening speech focused not just on how to network, but also, how to follow up, and how to have fun while making those new contacts, and of course, making new friends. (And friends are easy to stay in touch with, naturally!) Middleton explained that one contact, with a "headhunter," was a five year-long relationship before it matured, resulting in her last position at Rockwell-Collins U.K.

First speaker of the day was Sarah Lintern, field service representative for Bombardier throughout Europe. "How'd you get on working with just men in maintenance?" was the question she was often asked when she apprenticed at Virgin Airlines. "I've never known it any other way!" she says she always answered. "I loved working at Heathrow, from watching the finally Concorde flights (a sad day) to standing next to the first A380. She moved on from Virgin to work in corporate aviation, culminating with her position with Bombardier today.

WAI Concorde Chapter members and other WAI members

She was followed by WAI Founding Board member and Boeing engineer Trish Beckman, who gave a wonderful overview of a typical day in the life of a flight test and evaluation engineer at The Boeing Company, where she works on production flight tests and delivering new aircraft as an FAA certified Flight Navigator, flight dispatcher and systems operator to aircrews all over the world. Her next big trip is a world tour on the Boeing 787!

A buffet lunch was served after the Chapter's business meeting, and raffle prizes were handed out. The afternoon speaker was Debbie Tyzack, an artist and sufferer of a complex auto-immune disease, who explained how the nonprofit organization Aerobility, headed by Mike Miller Smith, uses aviation and piloting aircraft to inspire physically challenged and injured individuals to reach for their dreams (aviation or not). She benefited from Flying Scholarships for the Disabled organization. Earning her MPPL (a national pilot's license, which allows her to fly in Britain) empowered her so much that she's going for her instrument rating. Aerobility allows her to give back to others as she was inspired. Finally, scholarships to the International WAI Conference were awarded to Sophie Davies and Pauline Gallgher in the afternoon.

The group had the opportunity to tour the famous Brooklands automobile and aircraft museum in the afternoon before the meeting wrap up by Chapter President Jane Middleton, who announced that The Concorde Chapter's next regional meeting is to be held 10-11 May, in Malaga, Spain. For more information watch the chapter's web site, http://www.concordechapter.org.uk/.

hWASP Doris Bristol Tracy Honored

2011-11-04T14:57:00.000-04:00

Courtesy Photo/Joan Hanley

As reported in today's Aviation eBrief from AOPA:

La Veta, Colo., plans to honor pilot Doris Bristol Tracy with a memorial on Nov. 11. Tracy, who was a resident of La Veta, served as a Women Airforce Service Pilot from 1943 to 1945. "She [Tracy] was a role model. You have to do something with your life, have to have some passion, and hers was flying," said artist Joan Hanley, who created two sculptures for the memorial.

You can read the full story HERE.

Claire Bear Flies to Oshkosh

2011-10-19T15:22:00.000-04:00

[NEWS RELEASE]

Powder Puff Pilot Releases New Aviation Book for Children

Introduces Fourth Title in the Claire Bear Series

Aurora, Colorado – It’s never too early to start ground school for the next generation of pilots, even if they’re preschoolers! Denver-based publisher Powder Puff Pilot makes learning about aviation fun with a series of full-color picture books starring Claire Bear, a pink‑clad aerobatic performer and mentor for aspiring young pilots. The release of their newest book, Claire Bear Flies to Oshkosh is just in time for parents and grandparents to share their love of aviation with the next generation of pilots at Christmas.

In her fourth aviation picture book, author Sue Hughes describes a visit a to EAA’s AirVenture, “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,” held every summer in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She implements her characteristic lyrical rhymes to follow Claire Bear as she flies to the event and performs in the world’s greatest airshow.

Anyone who has used the special flight procedures implemented during AirVenture will relate to Claire when she rocks her wings and lands on the green dot at Oshkosh’s Wittman Regional Airport. These are just a few of the unique arrival procedures that enable air traffic controllers to handle more daily air traffic during the 10 days of AirVenture than Atlanta’s Hartsfield, Chicago’s O’Hare, or New York City’s JFK airports

The Claire Bear series is the brainchild of Sue Hughes—a pilot since 1996 and a current flight instructor and aviation technical writer—whose goal is to introduce the thrills and exhilaration of aviation to a new generation. With her latest title, Hughes describes the enormity and excitement of AirVenture, “although it’s difficult to convey how big this event really is, and how special it is to aviation fans,” explained Hughes. “I’ve been to Oshkosh five times, and can’t wait to go again.”

Hughes credits illustrator Linda Terentiak for really bringing the Oshkosh experience to life. The two met at Oshkosh in 2010 and later, when Hughes needed an illustrator for her next book, Terentiak rose to the top of her wish list. “This project took longer than usual,” said Terentiak, “because the drawings were based on actual photos, and we took great pains to get them correct. It is so exciting to see it come together!”

EAA Communications Director Dick Knapinski vouches for the accuracy of the new release, saying, “The book was definitely written by someone who had flown the Oshkosh approach before.” He added, “Love the book and I hope it does great!”

The first in Hughes’ picture book series, Claire Bear Presents… The Pilot Alphabet, now in its fourth printing, was published in 2008. It teaches Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, and the rest of the words that pilots and air traffic controllers use to communicate clearly over the radio. In 2009, Hughes published her second picture book, Claire Bear’s First Solo, which accurately depicts a pilot’s first solo experience—an exhilarating flight that every aviator vividly remembers. Last year she released her third book, Claire Bear Explains… What Pilots Fly, which offers an overview of the wide variety of missions and aircraft that pilots fly. All three titles have been named by USA Book News as National Best Book finalists.

Welcome New Concorde Chapter - West Sussex, England

2011-10-18T19:58:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to New Official Chapter - Women in Aviation, Concorde Chapter #85
West Sussex, England

Jane Middleton, President
Kristiina Tervo, Vice President
Lisa Westwood, Treasurer
Melinda-Jane Benson, Membership Chair
Carrie Imlach, Outreach Chair

Congratulations to New Horseheads, New York Chapter

2011-10-18T19:51:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to New Official Chapter - Women in Aviation, Soaring Capital Eagles Chapter #84
Horseheads, New York

Stacey Brown, President
Jill Browning, Vice President
Alison Mandel, Secretary
Terrie Krieger, Treasurer

Congratulations to New Puerto Rico Chapter

2011-10-18T19:18:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to New Official Chapter
Puerto Rico Chapter #86
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Luz Carrero, President
Terri Madden, Vice President
Maria Franqui, Secretary
Janisse Fernandez, Treasurer
Caroline Ocasio, Membership Chair
Rafael Carrero, Outreach Chair

Women in The World of Flight

2011-10-08T09:37:00.000-04:00

Their interest in aviation started with a spark—and success came from hard work. Successful women in aviation professions discussed both the people who inspired and encouraged them and the determination that carried them through in the seminar “Inspirational Women in Aviation” at AOPA Aviation Summit Sept. 23.

Read more of Sarah Brown's excellent write-up by clicking here.

Congratulations WAI member Penny Hamilton!

2011-10-06T10:39:00.000-04:00

Penny R. Hamilton, PhD, will be inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame at a luncheon banquet at 11 a.m. Oct. 16 inside the Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver.

For longer than 20 years, Dr. Hamilton has been an advocate for more Colorado women to become certificated pilots through her “Teaching Women to Fly Project,” and as the creator of her “Penny the Pilot Program” to inspire school children to become interested in the mathematics and the science behind aviation, and through her “Colorado Airports History Preservation Project.”

Her “Teaching Women to Fly Project,” which exposed the barriers to women in aviation and offered ways around many of them, met with international acclaim.

By naming an aerial navigation intersection in the skies above Colorado after her, the FAA recognized Dr. Hamilton's contributions to aviation in Colorado.

She is an active member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Colorado Aviation Historical Society, Colorado Pilots Association, Friends of Granby Airport Inc. (founding member and 20-year board member), and the co-founder of the Grand County Aviation Association. Her other memberships include: the National Aeronautic Association, National Association of Flight Instructors, National 99s and Colorado 99s, Spirit of Flight Center & Museum, Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, and Women in Aviation, International (WAI).

The luncheon speaker will be Fraser resident, Rear Admiral Dennis Wisely, USN (Ret.), the former leader of the Blue Angels, who flew 350 missions in Vietnam and later commanded the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy. Admiral Wisely holds the Silver Star, two DFCs, 29 Air Medals, and the Purple Heart.

The luncheon/banquet is open to the public. Pre-register at: www.cahofusa.org. No tickets available at the door. The other awardees will be: Michael W. Bertz, Pk. Bonde, Norman F. Meyer, Bill Mitchell, D.O. Neary, and John C. Penney.

Got Time In December? Get Ready for Women in Civil Aviation Mumbai!

2011-10-05T11:11:00.001-04:00

If you've got time and a hankering for travel in mid-December put this convention on your calendar:

International Conference of Women in Civil Aviation
December 16-17
Hilton Hotel, Sahar Airport
Mumbai, India

WAI member Chanda Budhabhatti is one of the organizers, and you can expect to meet WAI member Sonal Gopuchkar (an airline pilot) and WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian there! For more information contact chandab99@hotmail.com.

WAI Concorde Chapter Meet-Up Moved to Brooklands

2011-10-05T09:06:00.000-04:00

"We wanted to do something that would be a little easier for people to get to," explains Melinda Benson, who is coordinating the Women in Aviation, International's Concorde Chapter Conference on November 5, 2011. "Brooklands Museum, in Cobham, just outside London, was a great location for us last year, so we've chosen to go back there," she says. The museum pays homage to the early days of automobile racing, and to aviation. It is the home of a British Airways Concorde aircraft and also a Concorde flight simulator.

The event has two confirmed speakers, Sarah Lintern, from Bommadier, and Debbie Tyzac, from Aerobility. More will follow. Six students have been offered full, paid scholarships to the event (event fee will be 40£ ). A three course lunch will be served, as well.

Discounted accommodations have been arranged through the Hilton Cobham hotel, and can be secured by calling the hotel directly at its UK number, 01932 864471, and mentioning the WAI event.

Putting the FUN in Fundraiser!

2011-10-03T11:21:00.000-04:00

Looking for a fun idea for a fundraiser for your chapter? Here's the anatomy of WAI's Oshkosh chapter's successful cupcake fundraiser held yesterday.

The members of the chapter report in:

The event was held at in the terminal building at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on Saturday, October 1 from 2 – 4:30 p.m.

Final tallies aren't in yet, but it's fair to say we raised nearly $500 for our Spirit of Flight Scholarship. Because of our success at meeting our fundraising goal, we've decided to hold this event again next year. Watch for details on the 2012 Frosting for Flight Fly-in/Fundraiser (at least, we think that's what we'll call it.) Several chapter members competed this year to help get the event off the ground. We were very happy with the number of teams that competed, in fact, we would have had 10 but one cancelled at the last minute.

Nine teams competed:

Aaron Heise and Nick Luther
Flavor: Boston Cream
Theme: Working Guy’s Lunch
Description: Lunch pail, baloney sandwich, apple, cupcakes

Linda Degner and Michelle Degner
Flavor: Just “Plane” Cupcakes
Theme: Fear of Flying
Description: Lego airplanes and detailed KOSH airport layout as backdrop. Contestant loves airplanes but is afraid to fly.

Jean Schaetz
Flavor: Chocolate Mint
Theme: Wisconsin Sports
Description: Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks (timely as it was a huge – and winning - sports weekend in Wisconsin)

Rose Dorcey (chapter president)
Flavor: Lemon Cranberry
Theme: Wisconsin Cranberries
Description: History of cranberries in Wisconsin and how cranberry crops inspired contestant’s love of aviation

Jetwhine – Rob Mark, Abigail Mark, Scott Spangler
Flavor: Blueberry with lemon meringue
Theme: Zodiac
Description: Edible zodiac; zodiac signs on cupcakes

Mary Jones (chapter member)
Flavor: Tequila Lime
Theme: Margaritaville
Description: Key West, Jimmy Buffet’s Changes in Latitude/Changes in Attitude

Linda Grady (chapter scholarship chair)
Flavor: Tiramisu
Theme: My Cupcakes are Fly
Description: Aviation memorabilia, sectionals, headsets, etc.

Margaret Viola (chapter member)
Flavor: Gluten-free Double Chocolate
Theme: Homespun Western/Gluten-free Cowgirl
Description: Cowboy handkerchiefs; contestant wore cowgirl apparel

Panel of three celebrity judges chose the winners. Our judges:
· Kathy Lennon, Winnebago County Airport Commission Chair
· Ken Ruehl, retired Mercury Marine exec
· Tamara Mugerauer, Owner of Tamara’s Cakes in Oshkosh

· Chapter member John Dorcey served as emcee.

Judges chose top three
1. Rose Dorcey – Lemon Cranberry – 82 points
2. Margaret Viola – Gluten-free double chocolate – 80 points
3. Linda Grady – Tiramisu – 79 points

Crowd Favorite Judging
For a $5 entry fee, each guest got a ballot to vote for the crowd favorite. Winners were:

1. Rose Dorcey – Lemon Cranberry
2. Mary Jones - Margaritaville

Donors:

Starbuck
McDonalds
Caramel Crisp & Cafe
Basler Turbo Conversions
Rhapsodies Frozen Custard

People/organizations to thank:

· Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH)
· Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame
· Pampered Chef fundraiser in conjunction with this event, with a portion of sales going to our chapter, thanks to chapter member Kelly Nelson

· Chapter member Candice Votava was our head server, and she recruited her parents, Paul and Amy Votava, to assist.

· Chapter Member Julie Hartlaub, and her husband, Keith, of Savage Aircraft Sales in Manitowoc.

· Lori Trenshaw, who we’re trying to recruit, flew in from Necedah, brought cupcakes, and volunteered to help. Awesome!

· Several chapter members donated supplies.

Other notes:
· Two new members joined our chapter.
· Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame had a display showcasing the 13 Wisconsin cities that celebrate 100 years of flight in 2011.
· Legendary air racer Bill Brennand was on hand to sell and sign copies of his book, Bill Brennand, Air Racing and Other Aerial Adventures.
· A small committee put this event together: Myself as chapter president, Linda Grady as chapter scholarship chair, Kelly Nelson, chapter member; and Betty Monnett, chapter treasurer.

Chabrian To Be Honored at Wright Brothers Memorial Gala

2011-10-03T09:13:00.000-04:00

Dr. Peggy Chabrian, President and founder of Women in Aviation, International, will be presented with the Amelia Earhart Award at the 84th Annual Wright Brothers Memorial Gala and Golf Tournament, which benefits the GMAA-Bachelor Aviation Scholarship Fund, Inc. The award will be given at the Gala, being held at the Doral Golf & Country Club in Miami, Florida, October 22nd.

For more information about the event go to www.gmaagala.com or call (305) 884-4300.

Are You Going to the BA-Meetup this November? WAI Will Be There!

2011-09-30T09:25:00.000-04:00

Dr. Peggy Chabrian will be hosting a panel on women involved in aviation careers during the first U.S.-based BA-Meetup this November 2-4 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Here are the panelists so far:

1. Marcia Buckingham - Marcia Buckingham is Treasurer and co-founder of the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance.As a licensed A&P, IA, Marcia is a 14 year veteran of the Space Shuttle Program, first as a mechanical and electrical technician and later as a lead quality control inspector. She was the first female Spacecraft Operator (SCO) at Kennedy Space Center. SCOs or "grounded astronauts" perform systems tests and checkout from the cockpit of the Orbiter between launches. She is also a certificated airline transport pilot and a flight instructor in fixed and rotor wing.

2. Dr. Susan Sharp - Associate Professor, Aeronautical Science Dept., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Susan is also qualified as a flight instructor.

3. Carolina Lenz Anderson - Lenz Anderson is Training Manager for the Flight Department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and was a flight test pilot for the Green Fleet program at ERAU. She owns a Pitts airplane and does competition aerobatics, as well as runs a junior soaring program along with her husband, through a local glider club. She holds a mechanical engineering degree from Los Andes University in Bogota, Columbia, and an MBA in aviation from ERAU. She is currently a PhD candidate at ERAU.

4. Patty Wagstaff - A six-time member of the US Aerobatic Team, Patty has won the gold, silver and bronze medals in Olympic-level international aerobatic competition and is the first woman to win the title of US National Aerobatic champion and one of the few people to win it three times. Wagstaff flies one of the most thrilling, low-level aerobatic demonstrations in the world. Flying before millions of people each year, her breathtaking performances give airshow spectators a front-row seat view of the precision and complexity of modern, unlimited hard-core aerobatics. Wagstaff currently flies for Cal Fire as an Air Attack pilot in the OV-10 Bronco. Cal Fire pilots fly both the OV-10 and the S2T Tanker out of 13 different bases helping keep California safe from fires and supporting firefighters on the ground.

FOCUS
The focus of the BA-meetup is on experience exchange, interaction and participation, rather than on listening to speakers' career or company achievements. The result is a proactive platform upon which successful networking can be built, the perfect place for face-to-face business discussions and comprehensive sector-specific services. WAI is joining Women in Corporate Aviation as one of more than a half-dozen groups participating in the two-day think-tank and mentoring experience. For more information about the event go to www.ba-meetup.com.

ABQ Balloon Festival Has Second-Generation Female Balloonmeister

2011-09-29T15:05:00.000-04:00

[news release]

Mass Ascension at the Balloon Festival

Albuquerque, NM—The Balloon Fiesta is pleased to announce that Neida Courtney Bueno will be the balloonmeister for the 40th annual event. Courtney Bueno is the first, second generation balloonmeister to participate in the Balloon Fiesta—her mother, Neida Courtney Naumburg, held the position in 1983 and 1984.

The balloonmeister is a volunteer position and is in charge of executing the operational decisions of the Event Director. They coordinate flight activities, direct flight safety officials, keep in constant contact with the Event Director throughout the weeklong event, watch the weather and make the call about whether or not to let the balloons fly. They also direct all the launch directors and are also in charge of scoring.

Bueno is the fifth woman to ever to hold the position, Charlotte Kinney was the first and Neida Courtney Naumburg was the second. After attending the first Balloon Fiesta event in 1972, Naumburg and Courtney Bueno and their family were so captivated by the experience that they joined forces with friends, chipping in to purchase a balloon and started their own ballooning club.

Courtney Bueno became a balloon pilot in 1980, and has been a volunteer for the past 30 years. Courtney Bueno is also a real estate agent when she is not ballooning.

About the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® is an annual festival of hot air balloons that takes place every October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It is the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world. For details on events, schedule, entertainment and photographs visit our website www.balloonfiesta.com and follow us in on Twitter @BalloonFiesta and Facebook.

Katherine Stinson Milestone This Week

2011-09-26T18:55:00.000-04:00

Back in 1913, this week, Katherine Stinson became the first female pilot in the United States to officially fly airmail. If you've only heard her name, and don't know much about her (and her family), Google Katherine and read about what an incredible woman she was.

She apparently had strong opinions on fear; here are some memorable quotes from her on that topic:

Fear, as I understand it, is simply due to lack of confidence or lack of knowledge—which is the same thing. You are afraid of what you don’t understand, of things you cannot account for.

***

When I began to talk about flying, she already had confidence in me. My mother never warned me not to do this or that for fear of being hurt, Of course I got hurt, but I was never afraid.

***

I have found that women are not only just as much interested as men are in flying, but apparently have less fear than the men have. At least, more women than men asked to go up with me. And when I took them up, they seemed to enjoy it.

The Royal Aeronautical Society Hosts Conference Celebrating Women

2011-09-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

This year’s RAeS Women in Aviation and Aerospace conference, to be held Friday, October 14, celebrates 100 years of achievement by British women aviators and aerospace engineers. Speakers will include keynote speaker Professor Dame Ann Dowling and Gail Hewlett, granddaughter-in-law of Hilda Hewlett, Britain’s first certificated female pilot and the first woman to own and operate her own aircraft manufacturing business.

But they will not just be looking back at the successes of the past. The RAeS will also be looking forward to the challenges of the future. For more information about the meeting location and fees, navigate to the RAeS site by clicking here. Discounts for early booking will be available through September 30.

Are You Near The Netherlands? AWE Meets September 23rd!

2011-09-22T09:23:00.001-04:00

Are you located anywhere near Amsterdam, Holland, in the Netherlands? If you are, check out the annual Aviation and Women in Europe (AWE) Meeting, September 23-25, at the Hotel Amstelveen, in Amstelveen, near Amsterdam. You can find out more about the conference, including a list of confirmed speakers, at www.aweu.org. Plenty of WAI members are participating. If you are in the area, you should, too!

Tea and Airplane Talk in Johannesburg, South Africa

2011-09-21T16:08:00.000-04:00

Please book early - numbers are limited to 50.

There will be discussion sessions on professional development and lifestyle support

SAWIA Team member speakers will include:
Margie Viljoen; Wendy Santilhano; Fatima Jakoet

For further information / bookings please contact Anita on 0113945310 or alpasa@mweb.co.za

Why Did You Join WAI?

2011-09-20T16:14:00.000-04:00

Join the Concorde Chapter for its Annual Conference

2011-09-20T13:12:00.000-04:00

The Concorde Chapter is the first WAI chapter in England. Part of their activities is to hold an annual conference, and this year that conference will take place on the 5th November 2011 at the Brooklands Museum in Cobham, England, just outside London. The conference includes speakers, networking, and scholarship awards over the course of the day. A three-course luncheon is included in the conference fee.

For more information about the conference or to join this chapter, visit www.concordechapter.org.uk/.

Whirly-Girl Scholarship Applications are Due October 1, 2011

2011-09-19T16:04:00.000-04:00

The Whirly-Girls organization and its sponsors provide a number of impressive scholarships every year to members. Application details can be found online at http://www.whirlygirls.org/wg-scholarships. The scholarship application deadline is October 1, 2011. Please note that electronic applications are being accepted this year.

Whirly-Girls International is a non-profit, educational and charitable organization dedicated to advancing women in helicopter aviation and a sister organization to Women in Aviation, International. Any woman who has earned at least a Private certificate with a helicopter rating is welcome to become a member. Currently, there are over 1700 registered members representing 44 countries. If you have any questions about the Whirly-Girls scholarships, please contact wgvpscholarships@whirlygirls.org.

Women in Aerospace Awards To Be Celebrated

2011-09-19T13:57:00.000-04:00

Seven outstanding women will be awarded for their contributions to the aerospace industry and to the advancement of women in the field at a reception and dinner to be held on Tuesday, November 1, 2011, at the Ritz Carlton Pentagon City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.

The 2011 Women in Aerospace winners are:

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
Captain Amanda Zuber, SBIRS Field Program Manager, 45th Launch Support Squadron, Patrick AFB, Florida, in recognition of her outstanding work in the preparation and launch of the first Geosynchronous Space Based Infrared System spacecraft, and for training and mentoring the team that made it possible.
Dr. Diane E. Pugel, Physicist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, in recognition for her development and implementation of new technologies and cutting-edge approaches, as well as her lead role in the evaluation and manufacturing of the Agency's Orion capsule thermal protection system.

AEROSPACE AWARENESS AWARD:
Cheryl Moore McNair, Chairman, D.R.E.M.E. Science Literacy Foundation, Seabrook, Texas, in recognition of her exceptional leadership in building national awareness of space exploration's benefits and challenges, and for her lifetime commitment to aerospace outreach, particularly to those in underserved and underrepresented communities.

AEROSPACE EDUCATOR AWARD:
Rene M. Kimura, Education Specialist, Hawaii Space Grant Consortium, Honolulu, Hawaii, for her excellent leadership and sustained dedication to aerospace education and for her tenacious advocacy for girls and young women in aerospace.

LEADERSHIP AWARD:
Brigadier General Laura Jane Strickland Richardson, United States Army, Fort Hood, Texas, for her extraordinary leadership in U.S. Army aviation, her advancement of the role of women in combat aviation, and her dedication to the development of the current and future generations of female aviators.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
Julie A. Sattler, Vice President and General Manager, Special Programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, California, in recognition for her leadership in the development of communication systems that protect warfighters worldwide and for her contributions to the advancement of future leaders.

OUTSTANDING MEMBER AWARD:
Angela Phillips Diaz, Managing Director, Purdue University-Global Policy Research Institute, West Lafayette, Indiana, for a career of commitment to Women in Aerospace as a past president and current Women in Aerospace Foundation member and for furthering STEM education across the country.

2011 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT:
Salvador A. Valdes, A senior in aerospace engineering at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The scholarship, funded by the Women in Aerospace Foundation, is awarded to women pursuing undergraduate technical degrees to encourage them to enter careers in the aerospace field.

Women in Aviation, International would like to congratulate these deserving winners.

Goodbye to Betty Skelton, WAI Pioneer and Legend

2011-09-02T19:26:00.000-04:00

In a community that boasts amazing women, Betty Skelton stands out. Betty passed away this week, leaving behind a stunning list of accomplishments and records. With a nickname of "First Lady of Firsts," she was a pioneer not just in aviation but in the automotive world as well.

Fellow WAI Pioneer and Aerobatic Legend Patty Wagstaff has written a tribute to Betty, published by Flying magazine which you can read HERE.

Congratulazioni a Michelle! (Congratulations to Michelle)

2011-08-31T13:45:00.001-04:00

WAI Member Michelle Bassanesi has now earned her Master CFI accreditation. Michelle works as an independent flight and ground instructor in Rome, Italy, specializing in primary training. The founder of Aviation and Women in Europe (http://www.AWEU.org/), she is also very active in Women in Aviation International and The Ninety-Nines.

To help put this achievement in its proper perspective, there are approximately 93,000 FAA certificated CFIs around the world. Fewer than 700 of them have achieved that distinction thus far. The last 16 national Flight Instructors of the Year were Master CFIs while Michelle is one of only 8 international teachers of flight to earn this prestigious "Master" title.

In the words of former FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, "The Master Instructor accreditation singles out the best that the right seat has to offer."

The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the FAA. Candidates must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community, and must pass a rigorous evaluation by a peer Board of Review. The process parallels the continuing education regimen used by other professionals to enhance their knowledge base while increasing their professionalism.

Designees are recognized as outstanding aviation educators for not only their excellence in teaching, but for their engagement in the continuous process of learning -- both their own, and their students'. The designation must be renewed biennially and significantly surpasses the FAA requirements for renewal of the candidate's flight instructor certificate.

Don't Take "Daughter" Literally...

2011-08-29T19:03:00.003-04:00

WAI has announced a special program during the Dallas 2012 Conference for girls ages 10 to 17. We have played off the "Take your daughter to work" day by calling it "Take your daughter to the Conference" day. This program will be held on Saturday during the Conference.

We've just been asked if the young participants must be an actual, real-life daughter. Would a granddaughter be ok? Yes, yes, 1000 times yes.

Daughter, granddaughter, niece, neighbor, cousin, friend, step daughter, friend's daughter, step granddaughter, grand niece... any girl child from 10 to 17 will enjoy this program. Details will be included in the Conference brochure which you'll receive in a few weeks.

Jerrie Mock, WAI Pioneer, Honored

2011-08-29T14:55:00.000-04:00

AOPA eBrief reports that funds are being raised by the residents of Newark, Ohio, to honor Jerrie Mock, the first female pilot to travel around the world solo. Read the whole story HERE.

A Century of Women in Aerospace: In Celebration of National Aerospace Week

2011-08-26T12:04:00.003-04:00

Family Day At NASM

Will you be close to Washington, D.C. in mid-September? You won't want to miss this special day for Women in Aviation everywhere.

Saturday, September 17
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Throughout the National Mall building
Admission: Free

For more than 100 years, women have contributed to technological advances in aviation and space. Meet women who are today’s role models and hear about the historical women who have inspired them.

Time to Nominate Candidates for WAI Hall of Fame

2011-08-23T21:36:00.000-04:00

Do you know a pioneering woman in aviation whose accomplishments earn her a place in WAI's Pioneer Hall of Fame? The deadline is approaching so if you have someone to nominate, go HERE and download the form. It's just a single page nomination form so it's easy to do. The deadline for nominations is September 10, 2011.

Gucci Girls Fly Air Force Tanker

2011-08-19T16:29:00.000-04:00

AOPA's Alton Marsh chronicled the first flight of an all-female crew of a KC-10. His story begins:

It took lots of arranging, since there is only one female Boeing KC–10 flight engineer in the U.S. Air Force, but for one mission an all-female crew operated an aerial refueling tanker above the Middle East. For this special event, they wore shoulder patches that said, “Gucci Girls; Unmanned KC-10 Flight.” READ MORE

Friday is National Aviation Day

2011-08-18T19:02:00.000-04:00

Evidently not that well known, Friday, August 19 is National Aviation Day, a United States national observation that celebrates the development of aviation.

So why August 19? It's Orville Wright's birthday. Orville was still alive when President Franklin Roosevelt issued the proclamation in 1939.

Let's celebrate!

More Good News About "Breaking Through the Clouds"

2011-08-15T15:38:00.000-04:00

Breaking Through the Clouds is a documentary film about the 1929 Women's Air Derby. The film has become the "official selection" of several film festivals recently, including:

Landlocked Film Festival, Iowa City. August 27th in Iowa City.
Tulsa International Film Festival Sept. 22-25th.
Tacoma Film Festival. Tacoma, Washington. October 6-13th.
Chagrin Film Festival in Ohio. October 11-13.

Film Producer Heather Taylor adds, "The Chagrin festival focuses on inspirational people and celebrates the human spirit! What could be more appropriate for this than the women who flew in the derby?"

While at this past summer's EAA AirVenture, Heather spent time with WASP Dawn Seymour and Dorothy Swain Lewis. Mrs. Lewis was actually trained to be a flight instructor by Phoebe Omlie, one of the Air Derby pilots while in Tennessee. Heather says, "I was all ears listing to Mrs. Lewis tell some stories of Phoebe and relaying how much all the women admired her! Mrs. Lewis said Phoebe was adamant about women becoming flight instructors. One quip Mrs. Lewis said Phoebe used to make was, 'we taught them to walk, we can teach them to fly.'"

The film is on DVD and is available at http://www.breakingthroughtheclouds.com/

Dr. Peggy on AOPA Live

2011-08-06T18:21:00.001-04:00

Here's a nice write up on the annual women pilots photo taken at EAA AirVenture, along with an interview with Dr. Peggy. See it here.

AWAM Announces 2012 Scholarship Offerings

2011-08-05T08:14:00.000-04:00

The Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM) has announced that it will offer scholarships covering a wide range of aviation maintenance opportunities for women and men.

From entry-level students to certified technicians seeking additional training or support for transitioning careers, AWAM scholarships cover a multitude of options. From engines to composites, airplanes to helicopters, General Aviation to Commercial operations are represented in the 2012 offerings thanks to AWAM's generous sponsors.

Complete scholarship details and application can be found at AWAM's web site.Nominations for these awards are currently being accepted. Use the application package to nominate your choice.

Share these opportunities with your students, friends, and co-workers. Post AWAM Scholarships Flyer and post AWAM Awards Flyer at work or where you attend school. Click on the Sponsor logos to learn more about AWAM's fantastic supporters.

Mentors are available to assist with the application process. Direct questions to scholarships@awam.org

Take advantage of these opportunities now! Applications must be received by November 1, 2011.

Scholarship Sponsors include:
Abaris Advanced Composite Structures

Fabrication damage repair courses by Abaris Training Resources, Inc.

American Eurocopter Helicopter Maintenance Scholarship
First-hand shop work experience through on-the-job exercises in a Eurocopter maintenance course of your choice.

Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA)
Avionics Technician Scholarship
Monetary award for an Avionics Technician Student.

Aviation Student Entrepreneur Scholarship
Monetary award to assist in starting or operating a successful aviation business.
.
Baker's IA Training Course; FAA Testing Scholarship
Four-day Inspection Authorization course to prepare for the FAA- IA exam, plus textbooks and lodging.

CAE Aircraft Maintenance Training Scholarship
Type specific maintenance training.

FlightSafety International's "Principles of Troubleshooting"
Online troubleshooting course.

"Helping Hand" A&P Training from the Rice Family
Monetary award for A&P student training.

jetBlue Maintenance Scholarships:
Airbus A320; Embraer E190
Type specific familiarization courses:
for Airbus A320 and Embraer E190.

Nolan Avionics Scholarship
Apply toward any AEA (Aircraft Electronics Association) training event, course or regional meeting.

Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics Scholarships
New qualifying students: 25% of current tuition of AMT (Aviation Maintenance Technology) or AET (Aviation Electronics Technology) students.

Pratt & Whitney Training Scholarships
Choose from any of Pratt & Whitney's available courses.

Southwest Airlines Maintenance Training Scholarships
737-300/-500, 737-700 A&P, Avionics Class, or FlightSafety Principles of Troubleshooting.

"Taking It To the Sky" Scholarship
Monetary award toward Private Pilot Certificate or for an Aviation Technician.

"Tools Beneath Your Wings" Scholarship
Monetary award toward just about anything related to aviation maintenance: initial A&P, advanced or professional training, aircraft kit-building, tools, model airplanes, conference registration, or travel to maintenance training/events.

AWAM Awards for 2012
Awards honoring teachers and students:

"The Mary Ann Eiff - Teacher of the Year"
Student of the Year
Beyond All Odds.

All applications must be received by November 1, 2011.
Direct questions to scholarships@awam.org

Attend AWAM's Annual Meeting, Recurrent Training, Scholarship and Awards Breakfast, and more during the International Women in Aviation Conference:

AWAM Annual Events
March 8 - 10, 2012
Hilton Anatole
Dallas, TX
www.awam.org

Thanks to generous support from the UPS foundation, this is going to be an exciting year for AWAM!
The Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance is a nonprofit organization, open to women and men, formed for the purpose of championing women's professional growth and enrichment in the aviation maintenance fields by providing opportunities for sharing information and networking, education, fostering a sense of community and increasing public awareness of women in the industry.

P.O. Box 1030
Edgewater, Florida 32132

Chairman of the NTSB Blogs about WAI

2011-08-02T16:30:00.000-04:00

Deborah Hersman, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, spoke at the WAI breakfast last week during AirVenture. She blogged about her experience, and we have been given permission to reprint the blog here.

PHENOMENAL WOMEN
By Deborah Hersman

Last week, I had the privilege of attending EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI. As aviation buffs know, AirVenture has evolved into one of the world’s largest “fly-in” jamborees and each year brings together more than 500,000 pilots and aviation enthusiasts from around the globe.

While there, I had the honor of attending the Women in Aviation International’s (WAI) annual “WAI Connect” breakfast, which celebrates women aviators. The day started with a re-enactment of the life of Harriet Quimby by Connie Tobias, a 30-year aviation veteran and US Airways captain with more than 20,000 flight hours.

Tobias brought Quimby to life and conveyed the daring and courageous spirit of the first female to earn a U.S. pilot’s certificate. A journalist by profession, in October 1910, Quimby went to the Belmont Park International Aviation Tournament to cover the races. It was there that she was bitten by the flying bug. Seeing the men racing above her, she declared “I can do that. And I will.”

And she did.

From left to right: Connie Tobias as Harriet Quimby, Marty Wyall and Deborah Hersman

Quimby’s story is one of determination and drive and perhaps above all, a “can do” spirit. She simply would not take “no” for an answer. She broke new ground then and, thankfully, women in aviation are still breaking new ground today.

During breakfast, I had the pleasure of meeting two remarkable women — Marty Wyall and Anna Dietrich. Wyall, a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots or WASPs, flew trainers during World War II and with her sister WASPs, broke barriers, challenged norms, and helped pave the way for women to fly in the military. Dietrich is Chief Operating Officer and one of the founders of Terrafugia, Inc., the company that is breaking new ground with its flying car.

As I told the WAI membership, these two women’s pioneering accomplishments echo Harriet Quimby. Just like Quimby, they knew what they could do, went after it, and did it.

My challenge to the more than 200 women gathered at “WAI Connect” was this: Live up to the legacy of Harriet Quimby, Marty Wyall, and Anna Dietrich. Dare to be different, redefine normal, and strive for the extraordinary. At the same time, bring forward the next generation of aviators. Show them how to be daring, but teach them to fly safely.

First in the U.S., First in Ghana

2011-08-02T16:09:00.000-04:00

Photographer John Slemp captured this photo of Harriet Quimby (aka Connie Tobias) in her signature purple satin flying outfit along with Patricia Mawuli who is the first woman to earn a pilot's license in her native Ghana. Patricia will be featured on the cover of an upcoming issue of Aviation for Women. She is wearing the green t-shirt from this year's WomenVenture at EAA AirVenture.

"Harriet Quimby" told her story (in character) both to the aviation media at a WAI media breakfast as well as to the WAI members at the WAI Connect Breakfast last week in Oshkosh. Here's a toast to all the women pilots, past present and future!

WAI Passes Facebook Milestone

2011-08-02T11:52:00.000-04:00

On the 100th anniversary of Harriet Quimby's earning her pilot's certificate, Women in Aviation achieved 4,000 Facebook followers!

Along the lines of numerical goals, Dr. Peggy announced at the AirVenture Celebrity Breakfast that we now have 75 WAI chapters with a goal of 100 chapters. Setting up a chapter is made easy by help from WAI. If you've ever considered it, check out how at http://www.wai.org/.

100th Anniversary of Licensed Women Pilots in the U.S.

2011-08-01T10:34:00.001-04:00

(Dayton, Ohio – August 1, 2011) – Journalist Harriet Quimby became the first licensed female pilot in the United States when, on August 1, 1911, she was awarded license #37 from the Aero Club of America.

She was born May 11, 1875, in Michigan, and moved with her family to California, where she became a respected reporter and columnist. On to New York City in 1903, she worked first as a freelance contributor and photographer for Leslie’s Illustrated Weekly, and later held the job of drama critic and then editor of the Women’s Page. She loved challenging assignments.

In 1906, she told readers what it was like to zip along in an open-air automobile at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour (161 kilometers per hour). The article revealed her strong interest in machines and speed, some of the qualities that would attract her to aviation.
Harriet’s destiny was sealed at New York’s 1910 Belmont Air Meet. Flight, she told friends, “appeared quite easy. I believe I can do it myself…and I will.” By May 1911, Harriet had convinced her editors that Leslie’s should pay for her flying lessons and she, in turn, would record her experiences for the magazine’s readers.

Harriet took 33 lessons at a total cost of $750 from the Moisant School of Aviation on Long Island, New York. In addition to her Aero Club of America license, she became the first female monoplane pilot certified by the prestigious Federation Aeronautique Internationale (founded in Paris in 1905) and set out to create a persona that was equal parts aviator and cover girl. On September 4, 1911, she claimed a $1,500 prize by performing a night flight across the Narrows of New York Bay under a full moon.

Most notable, on April 16, 1912, she became the first woman to fly across the English Channel. Unfortunately, her timing was bad. Her landing in France coincided with the news of the sinking of the Titanic. Stories of the tragedy at sea filled the newspapers and Harriet’s impressive feat was relegated to the back page.

Flying in an air meet near Boston July 1, 1912, Harriet took a passenger — the organizer of the meet — aloft in her new Bleriot monoplane. He was a very large man. Unexpectedly, the aircraft pitched forward and went into a dive. It is unclear if either he or Harriet was wearing a restraining device and both were thrown from the plane to their deaths. The monoplane came out of its dive, landed, and then flipped over sustaining minimal damage.

Although Quimby lived only to age 37, she had a major impact on women’s roles in aviation; she was a true pioneer and helped break down stereotypes about women’s abilities during the first decade of flight. Quimby was a beautiful woman and very style conscious. She designed her own trademark flight suit, a purple satin outfit with a hood and a skirt that could be converted to trousers, which she wore whenever she flew.

Harriet Quimby’s career as a pilot lasted only 11 months, nevertheless she was a heroine and a role model for generations to follow — even inspiring Amelia Earhart. In 2004 Harriet Quimby was enshrined into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

This year's Women in Aviation, International Celebrity Breakfast during EAA's AirVenture included Connie Tobias, a Harriet Quimby interpreter, speaking as Harriet, dressed in a replica of her purple satin flying suit.

Want to join us for a WAI Connect Breakfast? Then sign on to www.wai.org and click "Events" for more details. See you soon!

WAI Oshkosh Chapter Member Wins Disney Cruise

2011-08-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

Kelly Nelson could not have picked a better day to be at the EAA AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Oshkosh native and member of the Oshkosh WAI Chapter was working as a staff member of the AirVenture Today newspaper this year, and camping on the grounds to avoid the heavy traffic commute daily in and out of the airfield.

Most years Kelly is assigned the typical AirVenture beat: find interesting airplanes and interview their builders. But this year her editor (Mary Jones, another WAI member), gave her a little gold nugget: Friday, July 30, Kelly got to interview George Lucas, the developer and director of the Star Wars saga of movies. So, even before Friday morning rolled around, Kelly knew that it was going to be a great day.

What she didn't know (actually, none of us knew) was that it would be Kelly's name pulled out of the big bingo barrel full of names of WAI members who recruited new members to the organization over the last year. And what did she win? The grand prize for recruiters is a cruise for two on Walt Disney's newest ship, the Disney Dream! Congratulations Kelly. Oh, and rumor has it that the day did live up to all of its potential: the interview with George Lucas went off without a hitch. Can't wait to read it at www.eaa.org.

WAI wants to thank everyone who participated in our year-long membership recruitment campaign. Stay tuned for new incentives for helping our network grow. You know where to look: www.wai.org.

Tharp Awarded FAA Dispatcher License

2011-08-01T07:12:00.000-04:00

Desert Jet, an aircraft management and jet charter provider based in Southern California, has announced that Melody Tharp has earned the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Aircraft Dispatcher License after an intensive year of training and study.

The training and certification course was provided by Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. at their training facility in Houston, Texas. Tharp was awarded The Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. FAA Dispatcher License Training and Certification Course Scholarship, presented by Women in Corporate Aviation at the 2010 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Recipients of this award were chosen by a panel of aviation professionals who reviewed each applicant’s experience level as well as their determination and motivation to grow in their positions.

To become an FAA-licensed Aircraft Dispatcher, applicants must demonstrate extensive knowledge of meteorology, aircraft performance and aviation regulations, equal to the knowledge required to obtain an Airline Transport Pilot certificate.

“We are all extremely proud of the work and effort Melody has put into her growth as an Aircraft Dispatcher," said Denise Wilson, Director of Operations for Desert Jet. "Her ambition to be the best at what she does makes her an invaluable part of our charter and dispatch team here at Desert Jet."

Interested in learning more about scholarships for women involved in the aviation business? Navigate to www.wai.org/education/scholarships.cfm.

Women in Corporate Aviation Announces 2011 NBAA Scholarships

2011-07-15T00:01:00.000-04:00

Women in Corporate Aviation, International (WCA), sister organization to Women in Aviation, International (WAI) is pleased to announce the newest lineup of scholarship offerings to be presented at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention, October 10 – 12, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA) Career Scholarship ($2,000)
The Women in Corporate Aviation Career Scholarship is offered by the members and sponsors of Women in Corporate Aviation to any person pursuing professional development or career advancement in any job classification of corporate/business aviation. The award must be used toward a specific program of education. Suggested uses include (but are not limited to): Flight training, dispatcher training, maintenance training, corporate flight attendant training, and upgrades in aviation education. The award cannot be used for general business course work. Scholarship will not be awarded to previous winners of Women in Corporate Aviation scholarships. If you are a pilot please submit copies of pilot licenses, medical, and logbook pages with your application.

Susan B. Friedenberg Corporate Flight Attendant & Consulting Scholarship ($3,800)
The Susan B. Friedenberg Corporate Flight Attendant & Consulting Scholarship is a four-day business aviation flight attendant training program. You will learn how to approach contract flying, how to interview for contractual and full time positions, how to manage yourself as a contract/freelance flight attendant, and specific marketing techniques as well as catering information, food safety, International trip planning for remote global travel on our long range aircraft including how to gather information needed for menu planning, catering, ordering, and the intricacies that catering presents for International trip planning.

FACTS Training - Initial or Recurrent Training ($4,765)
FACTS Emergency Procedures Training (1 award) – http://www.factstraining.com This five-day initial or two-day recurrent emergency procedures training for business aviation crewmembers is available at any of 50-plus FACTS Training programs throughout the United States. The initial training is divided into two-day indoctrination/galley safety and service training and three-day FACTS initial emergency procedures training. All training meets FAR Part 135 requirements, industry best practices, and IS-BAO standards. Recipient must be 21 years of age. No prior aviation experience is necessary. Initial training is a full packaged deal which includes 2 days of Indoctrination/Inflight Service Training followed by three days of intensive emergency procedures training.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Other scholarships are in process. Please check the WCA web site for more scholarship opportunities as additional scholarships are confirmed.

To apply, go to www.wca-intl.org/scholarships.
Applications are due Thursday, September 1, 2011.

Welcome to Louisiana Tech University -- They are official!

2011-07-13T22:20:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to New Official Chapter - Women in Aviation, Louisiana Tech University Chapter #83
Ruston, Louisiana

Jessica Lowery, President

Megan Hotard, Vice President
Nicole Hansen, Secretary
Keely McDaniel, Treasurer
Courtney Glasgow, Membership & Outreach Chair
Kary Munn, Advisor

NASA Creates Women @ NASA Web Page

2011-07-06T10:01:00.000-04:00

Got a hankering for space? With the last Space Shuttle flight just days away, you might think your shot working at NASA has passed, however, there is much more at NASA than just being an astronaut. Take the time to check out this link: http://women.nasa.gov/ and discover more about careers and internships, and the impact that NASA can have on your life. NASA employees and directors have been huge supporters of Women in Aviation, International through the years. Let's support NASA as it transitions to its next phase of research and exploration!

Celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Air and Space Museum

2011-06-28T11:07:00.000-04:00

On Friday, July 1 from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm, throughout the National Mall building, the National Air and Space Museum will celebrate its 35th anniversary. See the popular Imax movie that premiered on opening day, To Fly!, at 1976 prices: 50 cents for adults, and 25 cents for children. The movie will be shown at 11:20 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Buy tickets early in the day to avoid missing this chance.

Also at 2:00 p.m., join curators and authors Michael Neufeld and Alex Spencer for a book talk and signing session in the Moving Beyond Earth gallery. They will be discussing their book, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: An Autobiography, which tells the story of the Museum and its historic collection from its earliest days until present time. Books will be on sale at the event.

If you're not in Washington, DC, you can still join the festivities:

Beginning at Noon EDT on June 27, visit http://www.nasm.si.edu/ and read Museum memories of famous people from John Glenn to Homer Simpson's wife, Marge. Then, share your own memory and read those of other visitors throughout the years.

Help WAI Win $10,000

2011-06-27T17:48:00.001-04:00

Women in Aviation is one of the finalists to be awarded $10,000 from the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation. In order to win, we need your vote.

Please take 30 seconds to go to the Lightspeed site and cast a vote for WAI. Unfortunately, you can only vote once, but please help us get this grant. We really need your vote as there are many other worthy organizations receiving votes.

Just click here, and then click on Women in Aviation for your vote.

WAI Loses a Cherished Member of its Board

2011-06-27T16:23:00.000-04:00

It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of Major General Ted Mallory, head of the Women in Aviation, International Endowment Fund Committee and long-time member of the WAI Board of Directors. Ted passed away June 26, 2011 after a brief battle with cancer. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Major General Theodore “Ted” Mallory III was President of Mallory Aviation, Inc. He was previously Sr. Vice President of Flight Operations and Chief Safety & Security Officer with ASTAR Air Cargo. Prior to joining ASTAR in June 2004, General Mallory served as an Aviation Safety Inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration. He was a retired senior captain and chief pilot from Northwest Airlines, holds an Air Transport Rating, and piloted his own aircraft. General Mallory was the recipient of the 2001 Meritorious Service Award from the Employer Support Guard and Reserve, the 2002 Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the 2001 Northwest Airlines Presidents Award, and the 2005 Global War on Terrorism Service Medal from the Department of the Air Force.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Joseph Sam's School, 280 Brandywine Boulevard, Fayetteville, Georgia. Funeral services will be held on June 29, in Fayetteville, Georgia.

"General Mallory was a true asset to Women in Aviation, International," says Dr. Peggy Chabrian, WAI president. "His wisdom, kindness, generosity and expertise will be missed."

Congratulations to Film Maker Heather Taylor

2011-06-21T16:17:00.000-04:00

Heather's documentary Breaking Through the Clouds, about the 1929 Women's Air Derby, has just won an Indie Award of Excellence. Heather writes, "Between this and the International Documentary Association (IDA) Award, Breaking Through the Clouds is starting to receive some notice. Hopefully this is all part of a great trend with more good news to follow."

Heather will be showing the film a few times during EAA AirVenture as well as appearing in EAA's Author's Corner so check the schedule if you'll be in Oshkosh.

The DVD is available through the website: http://www.breakingthroughtheclouds.com/

Aeronautical and Engineering Opportunities in France

2011-06-21T15:37:00.013-04:00

Aerolia intends to create 220 new jobs by the end of 2011, to help the company expand in France and abroad. Aerolia is looking for experienced candidates to help it expand, as well as its operatives trained as Blue Collars in production at its own Lycée Potez de Méaulte.

The fields concerned include:

Engineering, in Toulouse, where aircraft noses and fuselages are designed;
Operations, in St Nazaire and Méaulte, where designs become reality with the production and delivery of more than 500 fuselages each year;
Research and Development.

Christian Cornille, CEO of Aerolia SAS, states that “In 2011 we will create the 600th job in three years, meaning that on average the company will have been hiring faster than one new employee every two working days.”

This new wave of recruitment will permit Aerolia to build on the industrial and commercial achievements of its current teams, particularly:

significant ramp-up of cadence for Airbus, its major customer
the design and production of plug-and-fly fuselages for the Global 7000 and Global 8000 business jets built by Bombardier, Aerolia’s most recent new customer.

This recruitment strategy is an integral part of Aerolia’s vision for 2020 and is proof of its capacity for development through its contacts with all aircraft manufacturers worldwide.

Aerolia contact: Philippe Le Grégam, Deputy Head of Communications +33 (0)6 80 41 81 49.

Members Make Their Mark: Carol Timmons Promoted to General in Delaware Air National Guard

2011-06-16T10:53:00.000-04:00

Watch as longtime Women in Aviation, International member Carol Timmons is awarded her stars as a Brigadier General in the Delaware Air National Guard. Go Carol! (www.waishowdaily.blogspot.com)

Timmons led a Delaware Air National Guard deployment to Saudi Arabia and flew combat missions in the Iraq War. In 2008, she earned a Bronze Star while commanding a combat deployment to Afghanistan. Now she will be in charge of Guard troops from Delaware who could be called to fight across the globe.

At Timmons' promotion ceremony Saturday, as much time was spent talking about her gender as her decorated career. She's OK with that. "It's not what I lead with, and it's not why I'm here today," Timmons said. "But it is important. Those barriers were there and they took decades to be removed. Isn't it great that there are 20-year-old women here who don't know any better?"

Celebrate Our History: Bessie Coleman

2011-06-13T21:07:00.001-04:00

Wednesday, June 15 marks the 90th anniversary of Bessie Coleman's earning her pilot's license in 1921.

The Centennial of Flight web site gives this description of Bessie:

Bessie Coleman, the daughter of a poor, southern, African American family, became one of the most famous women and African Americans in aviation history. "Brave Bessie" or "Queen Bess," as she became known, faced the double difficulties of racial and gender discrimination in early 20th-century America but overcame such challenges to become the first African American woman to earn a pilot's license. Coleman not only thrilled audiences with her skills as a barnstormer, but she also became a role model for women and African Americans. Her very presence in the air threatened prevailing contemporary stereotypes. She also fought segregation when she could by using her influence as a celebrity to effect change, no matter how small.

Read the rest of the essay here.

I Read It Online! Women Leading Regional Groups Point to Industry Involvement

2011-06-13T11:31:00.000-04:00

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is a corporate sponsor of Women in Aviation, International. Here's what that organization has to say about another WAI Corporate member, Women in Corporate Aviation.

In business aviation, women serve in every role of the flight department, and are increasingly becoming industry leaders. Developing women leaders is the mission of Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA), a network of women and men started nearly 18 years ago.

“By bringing women in business aviation together, they find that they belong in the industry, and then they become leaders,” said Elizabeth Clark, a captain for FedEx and executive director of WCA.

Two of WCA’s longtime members are also the leaders of regional industry groups: Paige Kroner is the president of the Greater Washington Business Aviation Association (GWBAA) and Marj DeLong Rose is the president of the North Texas Business Aviation Association (NTBAA).

Both women were also involved in the founding of each of their groups. Kroner, the sales and marketing manager of Manassas, VA-based Chantilly Air, was one of three people who came together to establish GWBAA in 2004. Rose, who founded her own business aviation marketing firm in 2006, was the primary founder of NTBAA in 2008.

Marj DeLong Rose, President of NTBAA

“I saw a need in the Dallas-Fort Worth area,” said Rose. “When I started my firm, there wasn’t a good networking venue in the area. We also wanted to bring a group together if we needed to address airport access or aviation tax issues.”

Three years later, NTBAA now has more than 100 members, from owner/operators to international aircraft manufacturers. The organization holds four networking meetings and several education events every year, including a Global Aerospace SM4 Safety Seminar on June 2 that drew nearly 70 attendees.

Before founding her own company and NTBAA, Rose served as vice president of WCA for about three years in the 1990s. “My experience with WCA definitely helped me start NTBAA,” said Rose, “The work I did for WCA, from getting our nonprofit status to recruiting volunteers to serve on the board, were the same steps I followed for setting up NTBAA.”

To women coming up in the industry, Rose says: “Follow your passion. Find out what you’re good at, what you enjoy, and do that. For me, it’s connecting with people. And get involved.”

Paige Kroner, President of GWBAA

Kroner agreed, saying: “Don’t be intimidated; men in the industry are respecting our voice. It takes perseverance and determination, as well as networking. I would tell a young woman in the industry to get involved.”

Like Rose, Kroner loves the networking part of her job. She attends NBAA’s Annual Meeting & Convention every year and seeks to provide a networking forum through GWBAA, with quarterly meetings, tours of air traffic control facilities and an annual safety standdown. This year’s standdown will be on June 23 at the National Transportation Safety Board Training Academy in Ashburn, VA.

An source of encouragement to Kroner in her leadership has been the diversity of women she meets through WCA. “It’s been great to have the inspiration and support of other people in the industry. There aren’t many women in aviation, but it’s been a welcome challenge,” said Kroner, “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”

WCA/EBACE 2011 Career Scholarships Awarded

2011-05-25T16:31:00.000-04:00

For the fourth consecutive year, Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA) attended the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) May 17-19, 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland (http://www.ebace.aero/2011/) in conjunction with a number of our corporate members/sponsors such as Gulfstream, Sterling Courier, and Swan Heights. Romanian Airport Services (http://www.regional.ro/product/romanian_airport_services.html) was the group's exhibit sponsor. At the event WCA announced the winners of the WCA/EBACE 2011 Career Scholarship. Tamara Alexander and Kevin L. Otterstrom were presented their award at the annual EBACE Breakfast networking session on Tuesday, May 17, 2011.

Tamara Alexander – Awarded $1000.00
Tamara is currently employed by TAESL (Texas Aero Engines Services Limited) in Forth Worth, Texas as a Production Control Planner. Her future career goals include becoming Production Supervisor and/or Directing Manager at a successful MRO/Aircraft Maintenance Facility. She often volunteers some spare time outside of raising her daughter with organizations such as the Make a Wish Train, sponsored by BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway). Tamara will use her award towards education courses for aircraft maintenance training.

Kevin L. Otterstrom – Awarded $1225.00

Kevin is a recent NBAA intern with an interest in “understanding and changing human factors related to aviation safety.” He is currently studying courses at Stanford University in Strategic and Risk Management. Kevin dreams of becoming a corporate pilot and learning how to create programs to make flight departments safer within the corporate world. His scholarship will fund the Certified Aviation Managers test.

WAI Corporate Member Southwest Airlines' Adopt-A-Pilot Program Brings School Kids to Airport

2011-05-22T13:37:00.001-04:00

Southwest Airlines' Captain Diane Meyers knows how to make a P.A., but this day, her P.A. is to a planeload of fifth graders from Canterbury School and Leigh Elementary School. The 60 students have come to the airport at the invitation of Captain Meyers and her airlines' Adopt-A-Pilot program. They've met Capt. Meyers before, in their classrooms, where she explained how she did her job. That was the "tell" part.

Now was the "show" part, and Capt. Meyers was determined to show the kids as much about life and careers at the airport as possible. First she led them right through baggage claim and into the bowels of the airport, where the bags are processed and sorted, and moved to and from the aircraft. Next it was on to the airline's operations area, where customer service agents and gate agents explained how they worked with pilots to keep the flow of aircraft moving. Finally, they got to marshall in a flight (sort-of) and climb aboard a disabled aircraft and get a sense of what it felt like sitting in it (and yes, of course there was a visit to the cockpit).

Captain Diane Meyers

The Adopt-A-Pilot program was introduced in 1997 by Southwest Airlines. Each February through the end of May, fifth-grade students in more than 1200 classes across the country “adopt” Southwest Airlines Pilots through this award-winning educational program that leads students through science, geography, math, writing, and other core subjects, all based in aviation-related activities. Be on the lookout for Pilots sporting the Adopt-A-Pilot tie next time you travel with Southwest Airlines. This creative and colorful tie is worn by hundreds of Southwest Airlines ‘adopted’ Pilots. The artwork on the tie is designed every year by a student in the Adopt-A-Pilot program!

Does your company have an "Adopt-A-Pilot" program or similar program designed to introduce aviation to youth? If not, try to put one together. Check out the Adopt-A-Pilot program by emailing adoptapilot@wnco.com or come see us at Women in Aviation, International and we will put you in touch with one of our participating members.

WAI Chapter Helps Girl Scouts

2011-05-21T16:52:00.000-04:00

Girl Scouts from Troops 81310, 81473, and 81015 gathered at AOPA headquarters May 14 while members of the Women in Aviation-AOPA Chapter helped them work on aviation interest patches. Annabelle Fera spoke to the girls at AOPA headquarters. She has had jobs as a flight instructor and later as an FAA designated pilot examiner. After Fera explained the different levels of pilot certification and aviation career opportunities, every girl said she wanted to become a pilot. To read more about this exciting day and the girls activities, point your browser to www.aopa.org/training/articles/2011/110517fly_my_dream_for_me.html.

Does your WAI Chapter want to do community outreach? Contact Betty Huck, WAI Chapters Manager, for more information.

KEEP FLYING INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP: WE HAVE A WINNER!

2011-05-17T15:58:00.000-04:00

The South African Women in Aviation (SAWIA) would like to congratulate Michaela Meiswinkel for winning the WAI Keep Flying International Scholarship. In addition to the night rating, Michaela will also receive CX2 pathfinder, mentorship from SAWIA and will feature in one of the major Airline magazines. Well done to Michaela! Thank you to the sponsors of the WAI Keep Flying International Scholarship and the SAWIA Scholarship committee.

WAI Member Melissa Pemberton Reaches Out in Ghana

2011-05-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

What did you do this year to change the world? WAI member Melissa Pemberton and her husband, Rex, went to Ghana with "Medicine on the Move" to help build experimental aircraft used for transporting patients to medical help. Best of all, the Pemberton's got to introduce some very special young women to the joys of building, flying and maintaining aircraft. Read more about Pemberton's adventures this fall in an upcoming issue of Aviation for Women magazine.

You don't receive Aviation for Women magazine? Then you must not be a member of Women in Aviation, International (WAI)! Learn more about the organization, its outreach efforts worldwide, and its terrific scholarship and leadership award opportunities at www.wai.org. Become a member, get the magazine, the newsletters and a host of other useful benefits. Get the opportunity to mentor and network with other women involved in the aviation and aerospace industries, and learn how you, too, can change the world.

WAI Photographer Tells How to Take That Perfect Air Show Photograph

2011-05-16T08:12:00.001-04:00

At Women in Aviation Conferences, and as a professional photographer on the job, I"m often asked questions about how to make better pictures. Having often considered this, I thought I might offer a few tips that will make your photographs "better." When it comes to creating an image, I'm not an overly technical photographer myself, although I know how to figure out photographic problems that can be solved with technical solutions. Perhaps more importantly, if I don't know the answer, I have plenty of friends who do...and they'll usually tell me so! Let's get started...

Many years ago, when I was a hobbyist (everybody starts out as a hobbyist!), I read as much as I could get my hands on about photography, studied the work of those whom I admired, and immersed myself into the "culture" of making pictures, especially when I decided to become a pro. Noticed I said "making" pictures. One of the earliest lessons I learned when I began to study commercial photography was that amateurs "take" pictures, while professionals "make" pictures. There is a vast difference in the approach, in the final purpose of the images, and of course, in how much time, effort, and money go into producing a commercial photograph.

: A medical team at the Wings Over Atlanta airshow, October, 2010. Notice the hard edge to the shadow. ©2010 John Slemp

Amateurs love to take pictures. That's how I started, and although I still love to make photos just for the sake of making a good photograph, there are many other factors that now go into my approach. For today's discussion, let's talk about light...that being the "quality of light".
When the sun is high overhead at noon on a cloudless day, commercial photographers are usually loath to make a photograph. Why? Look at the light! It is coming from straight overhead, and the shadows produced on such a day have a hard, defined edge. The light also emphasizes the hollows of a subject's eye sockets, and unless you fill those sockets with some sort of light (reflected light, or with a flash), your subject will have "racoon" eyes. Any skin blemishes and/or irregular textures will become pronounced, and the overall contrast of the image will be at it's most extreme. In other words, the light is just not flattering. This is made even more so if the subject is highly reflective (an aluminum skin airplane), or in the case of people, if they have wrinkled skin. It becomes very difficult to make a photograph that is visually pleasing.
So if you have to shoot at that time of day, under those lighting conditions, what options do you have available to make an acceptable photograph? Let's see...

Use your flash! I can't tell you how often I've said this...but get used to it. It is a portable sun, built right into most cameras nowadays. "But won't it make the light worse" is what I'm often asked? Consider this: Let's say the sun is putting out 10 units of light, just for the sake of discussion. In the shadows there is virtually no light (zero units). So if your flash puts out one unit of light (10% of the total light in the shot), it will come nowhere near overpowering the sun. And guess what? The shadows that formerly had zero units of light now have 1 unit! Some strobes allow you to control how much light is put out, so study your camera manual, and do a test. Also be aware that we aren't trying to match the sun's light output, only to augment it. Unless you have access to some powerful studio strobe equipment, your on-camera flash will not overpower the available light.
Use something to bounce light back into your subject. It can be something as simple as a bedsheet, a piece of white foam core from the art store (one of my favorites), the side of a white vehicle, or even a white wall. The larger the reflector, and the closer it is held to your subject, the softer the light will be. Again, do a test with different reflectors, at different distances, under similar lighting conditions.

Once you understand "quality of light" it becomes much easier to tell when, and when not to make pictures. My personal favorite time of day to make pictures (of anything) is just before the sun goes down. It is low on the horizon (which shows texture), has a warm tone to it, and because it has been filtered by the earth's atmosphere, is usually of a much more flattering nature. In other words, it's much softer.

You'll notice in the photo of this former WWII P-38 pilot, that it was actually shot just as the sun disappeared over the horizon. The light is warm, soft, and very forgiving. Shooting at this time of day also encourages the use of wider apertures, which will throw the background out of focus, especially with longer lenses. This technique brings the viewers attention back to your subject, and also helps obscure what might otherwise be a "messy" or "busy" background.

Do some testing with your flash, and you'll be surprised how much better your images look, even when the sun is directly overhead. Even better, wait for the sun to get low on the horizon, and you'll notice an immediate improvement in the quality of your images.
Blue Skies!

John Slemp
www.aerographs.com

Remembering Vi Cowden: Pioneer WWII Female Pilot

2011-05-12T11:58:00.000-04:00

Written by Barb Garwood, American Airlines pilot and one of WMA Founders

WASP Vi Cowden in P-51, 2010.October 1, 1916 – April 10, 2011

Twenty nine years ago on Sept. 2, 1982, my recruit Karen Daneu and I, both Air Force T-38 instructor pilots, flew T-38A tail number 1952 (my birth year and favorite T-38) on a boondoggle four day cross country from bases in Phoenix to Oklahoma to Kokomo, Indiana and landing in Cleveland-Hopkins Airport, OH to attend the Cleveland National Air Show at Burke Lakefront Airport over the Labor Day weekend.

How could our Ops officer say no? We were to attend a Women AirForce Service Pilots (WASP) convention, which was happening the same time as the air show and were going to be introduced to the 400 former WWII women pilots gathered there (and of course see the air show, Blue Angels flying A-4F Skyhawks and much more)!

Karen and I were forming a new organization of active duty Air Force women military pilots, and were anxious to offer membership to the first pioneer American women military pilots. (Our new organization evolved to become the Women Military Aviators.)

Across the country Karen and I had the usual comments from controllers (“Are you the pilots? You mean there are two of you and you’re flying the jet?”) and the usual gawks from the men marshaling our aircraft to parking areas when we shut down and upon removing our helmets and skull caps, our hair fell out in sweaty locks.

Yes, Karen and I thought we were pretty hot stuff back then, jet pilots and all. After all, there were only 50 of us women AF pilots when the Air Force started pilot training for us in the 70’s. There were so few female T-38 instructor pilots; you could count them on two hands. And no one had ever seen or heard a woman military pilot on the radio or seen one in a flight suit and in a military aircraft.

Or had they? Had the country seen women flying military aircraft before?

Indeed, they had.

WASP Vi Cowden on P-51 wing, 1944.Violet (Vi) Cowden, born Violet Clara Thurn, Oct. 1, 1916 in a sod house on a farm in Bowdle, South Dakota was one of four children. Her father was born in Odesa, Russia and her mother was born in Java, S.D. In “Wings of Silver: The Vi Cowden Story”, documentary film by Christine and Mark Bonn, Vi was dreaming of the sky at a young age.

She said, “I can remember, I was about 6 or 7 years old, and a hawk would fly over [the farm]. I used to watch him just floating around up there. And I thought if I could just do that, if I could be like this hawk.”

About her youth, Vi said, “Growing up on a farm, I think that the women were just as important as the men and when I was in high school, I don’t think that I ever had the feeling that I was different from the guys, because I loved to play basketball and do all the things they did and I almost always felt equal.”

She attended Black Hills University and became a first grade teacher. One day she just decided to learn how to fly. She asked the pilot and owner, Clyde, at the Black Hills Airport, if he would teach her to fly and he said, “Come on, I think you’ll make a damn good pilot.”

Vi continued taking flying lessons, spending $10 to $12 dollars a month on flying out of her $110 monthly teacher’s salary. She earned her pilot’s license before her driver’s license, which was why she had to ride her bike 6 miles to the airport for lessons. “The bug hit me and I could not think of anything else,” she said.

Despite her small 5 foot, 90 pound stature, Vi never let society or male resistance stop her from doing what she wanted to do. WASP Vi Cowden in P-51, 1943.When the attack on Pearl Harbor drew the US into WWII, Vi applied for the Women AirForce Service Pilots (WASP) program.

In 1941, almost all the male pilots fit to fight the air war were overseas and there simply were not enough qualified male pilots at home to ferry new planes to bases, test aircraft leaving the factories, tow targets, conduct avionics testing missions, pick up and deliver parts and do many other noncombat flying missions.

Formed from two separate organizations, the Women’s Auxiliary Ferry Service (WAFs) led by Nancy Love, and the Women’s Flying Training Detachment (WFTD) led by Jackie Cochran, the WASP were licensed pilots recruited in the US. From 25,000 applicants, 1,830 women were accepted and 1,074 completed the 6 month intensive training course at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas and served the country as pilots.

At 26 years old, Vi graduated in WASP class 43-W-4, the third class to graduate. She was selected as one of only 114 WASP during her service to fly pursuit (fighter) aircraft, including the P-39, P-40, P-47, and P-51.

In “Wings of Silver” Vi recalls memories of flying the heavy and cumbersome P-47. At graduation a fellow male pilot in training revealed to her that he had called in sick prior to P-47 training because he was afraid of the aircraft. It was only after he saw the top of Vi’s curly head as she taxied by that he conquered his fear. Vi related, “You’re doing your job, and you never know when you’re an inspiration to someone else. I certainly didn’t know I would ever be an inspiration to anyone flying this [P-47] airplane.”

One of her greatest memories of that time was the very first flight of an untested P-51 Mustang in which she was the first pilot to fly the aircraft. Her feelings about flying were how “free and wonderful it is.”Vi Cowden

The WASP program was disbanded on December 20, 1944 when male pilots started returning from war. Vi went home, at her own cost, and was very disappointed as were all the WASP. It would take until 1977 for the WASP to get their veteran status.

There were very few jobs for women pilots in 1944. Vi worked as a ticket agent for TWA in New York for a while, hated that and then eventually owned a ceramic business in Lynwood, CA where she met her husband. She had a daughter. She was active in her community and was a former president of the WASP organization.

Not to be grounded, Vi exemplified a flying spirit by skydiving at age 76 and again at age 89 with the Army’s Golden Knights. She commemorated flying the P-51 Mustang during her WASP duty by co-piloting the “Betty Jane” P-51 in 2010 from San Bernardino to Orange County.

Last March, Vi was featured in the educational documentary “Second to None” written and directed by Randy Rice, National Manager Education Programs, Farmers Insurance, in the episode on aviation history. I was honored to be in the film as a historical narrator of the WASP story.

Why me? Because, like all women military pilots who have followed in the pioneer path of the WASP, we have a unique bond and common struggle to take our place in the sky.

WASP Vi Cowden in the Wings of Silver documentary.I met Vi again at the premiere of the film on March 16 in Los Angeles after our first meeting 29 years ago in Cleveland. My daughter and I escorted her from the reception to the theater when it was time to show the film. In her WASP uniform, at 94 years old, she was still a petite 5 foot woman who barely met the weight requirement for duty back in 1943.

As we moved through the crowd, one large man said to her, “You’re adorable!” She said after he passed to me, “Adorable? What’s that supposed to mean?”

That was Vi.

Vi passed away on April 10, 2011 and many family members and people she touched, like me, will miss her. A celebration of her life will take place May 21, 2011 at the Yanks Air Museum in Chino, CA.

Special thanks to Chris Bonn on Vi’s quotes and stories in this article.

For ordering documentaries, see www.wingsofsilvermovie.com andwww.gofarmersed.com for “Second to None.”

Link for Vi’s memorial: http://intimesofwar.us/MEMORIAL.html. For more information about Women Military Aviators navigate to www.womenmilitaryaviators.org.

Women in British Aviation: A History in Pictures

2011-05-11T16:39:00.000-04:00

The BBC has come out with a terrific little slideshow with pictures of some of the unsung heroes of early British military aviation. Point your browsers to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-13266751 to see it.

SAFE Training Reform Symposium Yields First Dividend

2011-05-11T10:43:00.000-04:00

Just one week after the Society of Aviation Flight Educators (SAFE) held its first ever Pilot Training Reform Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia, the recommendations that arose from the meeting (of which there were more than 50) have effected change. Responding to a recommendation proposed by the Aviation Educators breakout group, Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA) announced that it is now offering the PDF versions of its syllabi for download from ASA's website at no charge. The PDFs include two Private Pilot syllabi and one syllabus each for Instrument, Commercial, and Helicopter.

The specific recommendation to which ASA responded "addresses a specific problem...of instructors teaching using the seat of their pants without the use of a syllabus or plan of action." The recommendation also challenged industry to provide "standardized curriculum templates that instructors (14 CFR 61 as well as 141) can use." According to symposium chair Bob Wright, "We are delighted that ASA and others have taken the symposium's message to heart and are responding with prompt action."

More than 15% of the participants in the SAFE Pilot Training Reform Symposium were women, with several of the lead panelists and moderators being Women in Aviation, International members. Among the participants were Gretchen Jahn, COO of Remos Aircraft, Julie Filucci, Director of Cessna's Pilot Training Centers, Martha King, Co-founder King Schools, Jackie Spanitz, ASA, Arlynn McMahon, Flight Instructor of the Year 2009, Dick Koenig, Publisher, FLYING, Pat Knight, DPE, and Susan Parson, Editor of FAA News.

Information generated since the symposium is posted to the training reform website as it becomes available, and a significant portion of the proceedings will soon be available for viewing through the Aero-News Network's Aero-TV.

ASA Syllabi: http://www.asa2fly.com/Textbook-Syllabi---PDF-C413_category.aspx

Do You Fly Back Country? A Travel Opportunity with Benefits

2011-04-23T12:03:00.001-04:00

As a backcountry pilot flying central Idaho wilderness, Christina Chapman adapted pearls of wisdom learned from world class competitors to aviation and airmanship and developed her STARS of EXCELLENCE program, identifying individual passion and strengths, to tailor learning adventures. This summer she is offering a "Women Wise Adventure Seminar" in the Idaho back country July 7-10th. The cost is $125 and includes free camping with hot showers and toilets. There are teepees and lodging for rent across the street for those who don't want to camp.

"There will be world-class hiking and fishing, plus lots of camaraderie and networking," says Christina. Extras include a mini-spa, pottery lessons, a Fly Idaho book, photography tips, a group barbecue and more. For more information contact Christina Chapman at christina@mindelevations.com.

Teacher's Day at AirVenture

2011-04-22T12:00:00.000-04:00

[news release]

BuildAPlane Spooling Up for Third Annual

Teachers Day at AirVenture

BuildAPlane, in cooperation with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), will once again sponsor Teacher’s Day at EAA’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, July 26, 2011 and will expose teachers to a variety of programs and curricula that assist educators in bringing aviation into classrooms. Elementary to high school teachers from across the United States are invited to participate at no charge.

“We are amazed by how many great opportunities are out there to use aviation to engage and motivate kids to learn,” says Lyn Freeman, BuildAPlane’s president. “Today’s students respond to real world applications and aviation really captures their attention.”

Teacher’s Day sessions will offer teachers materials available from private industry, the federal government and aviation organizations that enable students to experience all aspects of aviation, from vocation to avocation. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in a number of hands-on presentations and to speak directly to program specialists. A wide variety of free take-home materials will be available for all attendees.

Participants who register and attend Teacher’s Day can obtain one graduate credit through Viterbo University. Lunch and a free one-day admission to AirVenture is also provided for each teacher that completes the course.

“It’s truly been an honor to watch Teacher’s Day grow over the years,” said Katrina Bradshaw, BuildAPlane’s executive director. “Last year, a group of students and teachers involved in a BuildAPlane project came all the way from several native Alaskan villages that are hundreds of miles from the nearest road. If you want to see just how committed to aviation America’s educators can be, come to Teacher’s Day at AirVenture!”

Organizations presenting material at BuildAPlane’s Teacher’s Day include the United States Department of Energy, the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Air and Space Museum, the Aircraft Owner’s and Pilot’s Association, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, EAA, GAMA and many others.

Registration for the free event is available at www.BuildAPlane.org. Space is limited. For more information contact BuildAPlane at 804-843-3321.

American Airlines Discount for 2012 Conference

2011-04-15T17:18:00.000-04:00

Sure, the 2011 Conference is barely over, but it's time to start thinking about the next Conference -- this one (our 23rd) is in Dallas, scheduled for March 8-10, 2012, at the Hilton Anatole.

American Airlines is offering a 10 percent discount on airline tickets. This discount is good for travel to Dallas from March 5 to 13. Details on how to use this discount will be available at http://www.wai.org/.

Women in Corporate Aviation at EBACE

2011-04-01T14:52:00.000-04:00

NEWS RELEASE
For the 4th consecutive year, Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA) is proud to be attending the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) May 17-19, 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland (http://www.ebace.aero/2011/) in conjunction with a number of our corporate members/sponsors such as Gulfstream, Sterling Courier, and Swan Heights.

As a non-profit networking group of Business Aviation professionals, WCA will be holding their annual EBACE Breakfast networking session on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 from 0730-0900 by invitation only. This annual key meeting is being sponsored by Gulfstream. Elizabeth Clark, the Executive Director of WCA, said "We are very grateful and honored to be supported by our corporate members and sponsors. They clearly see the potential of supporting a critical organization such as WCA which provides a network for business aviation professionals, mentors the younger generation, and invites young men and women into this fascinating area of aviation."

WCA is pleased to announce the 2011 scholarship offerings that will be presented at the annual EBACE Breakfast networking session.

WCA/EBACE 2011 Career Scholarship – up to $3000

The Women in Corporate Aviation Career Scholarship is offered by the members and sponsors of Women in Corporate Aviation to any person pursuing professional development or career advancement in any job classification of corporate/business aviation. The award must be used toward a specific program of education. Suggested uses include (but are not limited to) the following: flight training, dispatcher training, maintenance training, corporate flight attendant training, and upgrades in aviation education. The award cannot be used for general business course work. Scholarship will not be awarded to previous winners of Women in Corporate Aviation scholarships.
To apply, go to www.wca-intl.org/scholarships.* Applications due April 23, 2011.

For further questions on application guidelines, please contact WCA Scholarship Chair Sandra Clifford at sjclifford.clifford@gmail.com.

Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA) is a non-profit 501 (C) (3) organization and the premier mentoring association for professionals in corporate and business aviation. WCA provides networking, mentoring, scholarships, and education for current and future corporate/business aviation professionals. WCA is open for individual and corporate membership. For more information, visit our website at http://www.wca-intl.org or contact our WCA Headquarters at 4450 Nicholas Lane, Southaven, MS 38672 or email WCAHQ@cs.com.

Lightspeed Aviation Foundation Announces Finalists for 2011 Grants

2011-03-31T14:48:00.000-04:00

Women in Aviation, International Makes The Finals for the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation Grant

The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation has announced the names of 20 charities, selected from hundreds of nominees, that will benefit from grants to be awarded this year. The Foundation is in its second year of partnering with the pilot community to identify worthy causes, give pilots a voice in who they will support and make a lasting difference.

The announcement was made from the AOPA Live Stage at the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, Florida. Charities selected are: Angel Flight Central, Angel Flight East, Angel Flight Soars, Angel Flight Southeast/MercyFlight Southeast, Angel Flight West, AOPA Foundation, Aviation Exploring, Civil Air Patrol, Commemorative Air Force, EAA Chapter 44, Experience Aviation, Helicopter Foundation International, JAARS, Mission Aviation Fellowship, Ninety-Nines, Recreational Aviation Foundation, Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum, Wings of Hope, Women in Aviation Int’l, and Youth Aviation Adventure.

Again this year, all pilots will be invited to vote online at LightspeedAviationFoundation.org. The top five charities, as chosen by the pilot community, will each receive a check for no less than $10,000. Gift recipients will be announced via webcast on AOPA Live at the Pilot’s Choice Awards at AOPA Summit in September.

Lightspeed Aviation customers will also be able to participate by registering their Lightspeed headset and designating a portion of their purchase to one of the nominated charities. Designated gifts will be distributed to the finalists no later than January, 2012.

Allan Schrader, Lightspeed Aviation president, says, “This foundation has the values of our company at its core. It is unique in that it does not ask for or accept financial gifts, so I’m very pleased that last year we were able to award more than $100,000
in grants based purely upon the direction we received from the aviation community. We’re happy to continue enabling pilots everywhere, as well as our own customers, to participate with us in making a significant contribution to the future of aviation.”

Since 1996, Lightspeed Aviation has emerged as the innovation leader in aviation headsets for the professional or general aviation pilot. From comfort, clarity, technological advances to customer support, Lightspeed Aviation and its signature headset Zulu, have become the premium standard.

Vote for Women in Aviation, International at: LightspeedAviationFoundation.org. Don't forget to tell your friends to vote, too!

2011-03-30T20:40:00.001-04:00

Women in Corporate Aviation – Officers Elected at 2011 Annual Meeting

News Release

New officers were elected at the 2011 Women in Corporate Aviation Annual Meeting on
February 26th during the Women in Aviation International Conference in Reno, NV.

New WCA Officers Elected

Marianne Ross (Treasurer), Anna Robertson (President),

Anita Lachhiramani (Vice President), and Tammy Hand

(Secretary)

Executive Director, Liz Clark, presented the current Directors with Certificates of
Appreciation and welcomed the new Directors Cassandra Shelby and Karinn Muller (International).

The conference was a huge success for WCA. Thanks to all our volunteers, officers, organizers, speakers, sponsors, donors and members for making this the best year ever for WCA.

Special thanks to outgoing Directors Katha House and Ava Shubat, and Officers Caroline

Bryan, Chris Abbott, Elizabeth Partie, Katrina Avery, and Newsletter Editor Stacy Kotrla. Thank you for your service and passion for WCA!!

Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA) is a non-profit 501 (C) (3) organization and the premier
mentoring association for professionals in corporate and business aviation. WCA provides
networking, mentoring, scholarships, and education for current and future corporate/business
aviation professionals. WCA is open for individual and corporate membership. For more
information, visit our website at http://www.wca-intl.org or contact our WCA Headquarters.

WAI on Sun 'n Fun Radio

2011-03-29T19:37:00.000-04:00

Both Dr. Peggy Chabrian and Amy Laboda will be taking part in a daily radio program at Sun 'n Fun. The show is called Women Shine at Sun 'n Fun. Here's the lineup:

Tuesday - Anna Mracek Dietrich of Terrafugia
Wednesday - Shelly Simi of Jeppesen
Thursday - Betty Huck
Friday - Jennifer Storm of AOPA
Saturday - Paul Poberezny
Sunday - Patty Wagstaff

SUN 'n FUN Radio Stream from www.LiveATC.net/snf

At Sun 'n Fun? Check out these WAI forums

2011-03-29T19:30:00.000-04:00

Everything You Need to Know about Learning to Fly,
but Were Afraid to AskWednesday, March 30, 2011
10:00 AM, Tent #5

Aviation Scholarships: Not Just for Kids
Thursday, March 31, 2011
10:00 AM, Tent #7

KEEP FLYING SCHOLARSHIP INTERNATIONAL

2011-03-28T15:35:00.003-04:00

In line with SAWIA's objectives to partner as a collective with various players to offer flight training, type ratings, instructor ratings, cabin crew scholarships and sponsorship of aviation academic pursuits, the Keep Flying Scholarship (KFS) offered through Women in Aviation, International is partnering with SAWIA and offering one candidate a fixed wing night rating qualification.

Candidates must submit an application package that includes:

Curriculum Vitae
Copies of current Private Pilot Certificate (PPL) along with a valid medical certificate.
Copies of the last two (2) logbook pages
Two (2) letters of recommendations: one letter must be from a flight instructor who has flown with you, and a one page (500 words) essay.
A personal interview is part of the selection process.

Applications must be submitted online to info@sawia.org with KFS international application in the subject line. Applications must be received by 31 March 2011. The scholarship value is US$ 1500.00 or R10000.00 (depending on the exchange rate). If we do not contact you by 30 April 2011, please consider your application unsuccessful.

NBAA Announces Recipient of 2011 International Operators Scholarship

2011-03-24T10:36:00.001-04:00

Individual Recognized at This Week's NBAA 38th Annual International Operators Conference

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) announced the recipient of its 2011 ExxonMobil Aviation and the Avitats International Operators Scholarship. The $4,500 award is to be applied toward professional development education or training in support of a business aviation career in international operations.

This year's recipient, Lindsay Dyer, currently works as a senior dispatcher for Cox Enterprises and as a backup flight attendant. She has worked in the business aviation industry throughout her career, obtaining her private pilot certificate in Venezuela. Since Cox Enterprises travels internationally, Dyer wanted to be "in the know" in all aspects of business aviation operations, so she is pursuing a master's degree in aviation management through Embry Riddle Aeronautical University's online education program.

Dyer intends to use the NBAA scholarship funds to help complete her degree program. She feels that her graduate education will help keep her abreast of industry changes, allowing her to contribute to the safety and efficiency of her employer's operations.

Sponsored by ExxonMobil Aviation and the Avitats, the International Operators Scholarship is administered by the NBAA International Operators Committee and annually presented at the NBAA International Operators Conference, which was held this week from March 21 to 24 in San Diego, CA. Dyer was recognized by both the sponsor and committee during a conference presentation on March 23.

Boeing Engineer Teresa Camp Makes a Difference

2011-03-23T09:17:00.002-04:00

Here's a great video, produced by WAI Corporate member The Boeing Company, about one of their employees, WAI member Teresa Camp. She's found a terrific way to give back to the world.

Wanted: Experienced Ferry Pilot for TV Production

2011-03-21T16:12:00.000-04:00

Pixcom is searching for adventurous Ferry Pilots on interesting runs for a new Discovery Channel series. We are looking for ferry pilots who are willing to have us film them doing a series of flights. We are open to filming any sized airplane as long as there is room for two pilots plus our cameraman. In addition to this this there is a spot open on a ferry pilot team for a pilot who is not currently ferrying but who is interested in doing so for our show. We are keying in on women because we do not yet have a woman as part of the series.

Pixcom Productions is one of Canada's major independent producers of television programming. The company creates over 1,000 episodes of television per year, seen in over 150 countries through various networks such as Discovery, National Geographic, History Television, ZDF (Germany), Channel 4 (UK), NHK (Japan) and France Television. For more information go to www.pixcom.com. Interested parties can call 514 931 6970 x 518 or email plaurence@pixcom.com

Women Introduce Hundreds of Girls to Flying

2011-03-21T07:24:00.000-04:00

“What fantastic days – you should read some of the quotes they have. They just didn't know girls can fly,” remarks Dianne Stanger of Port Lavaca, TX, United States, who single-handedly introduced 98 girls and women involved in local non-profit organizations to the joys of flying during the first annual Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week.

Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week aimed to raise awareness of opportunities available to women in the aviation industry as well as foster action annually during the week including March 8, International Women’s Day.

During the 2011 Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week, events taking place on three continents included speeches by prominent women of aviation, museum programs highlighting the contribution of women to aviation throughout history, invitations to visit local airports, all-female flight crews of major air carriers flying to several locations to meet with local girls and women and several contests. Thanks to these events, contests, and the extensive local and main media reports, thousands of girls and women became aware that aviation is for them too.

Pilots on three continents generously donated their time and resources to introduce 707 girls and women to the joys of flying in celebration of Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week. That represents nearly 1% of the current female pilot population worldwide. Large scale “Fly It Forward” events took place at several airports in the United States, Canada, and Ghana.

Nearly all of the girls and women who participated to “Fly It Forward” events answered “Yes” when asked in a follow-up survey if they would consider becoming involved in aviation as a result of the experience. 100% of the pilots surveyed responded that they are planning to participate in the 2012 Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week.

Aviation businesses or organizations as well as flight training facilities who demonstrated their women customer friendliness during Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week received a WOAW Certified Women Friendly seal. This seal helps women quickly identify proven women friendly aviation services providers.

Gold sponsor, Direct-to Savvy GPS Pilot, Silver sponsors, AOPA and Out of Blue Aviation, and Bonze Sponsors, Flyabout, Windtee, Aircraft Spruce, Breaking Through The Clouds, Flight to Success, Powder Puff Pilot, Galvin Flying Services, myPilotSupplies.com, myFlightCoach.com, Girls With Wings, Atlantic Aviation and Flight Center, SeaplaneForums.com, Aviation World, Pacific Skies Aviation, and REMOS Aircraft provided prizes for participants. The name of the winners of the prizes and various trophies will be announced on April 4, 2011.

The 2012 Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week will be held from March 5 to 11. Each year, Women Of Aviation Worldwide commemorates historical achievements. In 2011, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day.

In 1912, Hélène Dutrieu of Belgium (1877 – 1961) became the first woman ever to pilot a seaplane and Harriet Quimby of the United States (1875 – 1912) became the first woman ever to fly across the English Channel. To celebrate these centennials, the theme for the 2012 Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week will be “seaplanes”.

For more information about Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week, please visit the official website, www.WomenOfAviationWeek.org. For more information about this press release or the Women Of Aviation Worldwide movement, please contact Mireille Goyer, founder and international team leader, at mireilleg@womenofaviationweek.org.

First Female VFW Post

2011-03-16T21:14:00.000-04:00

Reprinted from MsRep, a weekly newsletter of the Women's Campaign Forum:

Saluting Female Veterans

The first female VFW post has opened up in New York, and the organization is working to shift its image away from being a “boy’s club:”

“We're trying to put forth a robust effort to recruit women," said Jerry Newberry, a spokesman for the VFW. "We recognize their service to our country. We recognize their talent, their skills, their knowledge."

Hats off to the West Seneca VFW for supporting our women warriors.

Member Essay on Inspiration

2011-03-12T18:55:00.000-05:00

Inspiration from Unlikely Sources

A bit of mystery surrounds my persistence in the cockpit. I never would have thought my path to professional success would include an airline furlough at 23, followed by a Ramp Tower Agent position and my current desk job as an Aviation Engineer. All titles were received within a two-year time frame. Life is unpredictable. I have come to realize that life sends you on adventures to push you to your limits, both mentally and physically, to encourage, inspire and teach. These adventures become the driving source for the realization of your goals.

My desire to fly has never been really clear to me. On multiple occasions through my journey to receive my Pilot's licenses and ultimately an SIC rating in a Dash-8, I have wanted to quit and have questioned my reasons for flying. As a third generation pilot, some might suggest it is in my blood and I was born to fly. While I am grateful for genetics and familial support, I know the drive to press forward comes from within. It has taken my sitting on the sidelines and watching fellow aviators for me to realize an unyielding desire to sit in the cockpit once again.

My current title is a result of taking a chance. I am an Aviation Engineer with TASC, Inc. and as such, I have been tasked with providing technical support to the Federal Aviation Administration. I assist two teams working to improve capacity and efficiency of the National Airspace System. The teams I support consist of representatives from the FAA, the airline industry, academia and businesses associated with aviation. A month into this position, I am amazed to be learning so much about the aviation industry. I am enthusiastic about this opportunity to broaden my aviation spectrum and to be part of an innovative new concept in the NAS. This experience has opened a new vista in the aviation world and will improve my performance as a pilot and as an Aviation Professional.

I am only a short distance into my trip as an Aviation Professional, but I am now, more than ever, positive of my destiny to fly. It is the mental push that takes us to extraordinary places to teach us extraordinary lessons.

Katelyn Potts (WAI#28827) is currently an Aviation Engineer, for TASC, Inc., providing technical support to the FAA’s mission for NAS improvements and redesign.

Southern Illinois University in the House!

2011-03-12T15:08:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to New Official Chapter
Women in Aviation, Saluki Aviators Chapter #80
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, Murphysboro, Illinois

Jordan DiGrazia, President

Olga Ciura, Vice President
Patrici Lewis, Treasurer
Sara Lynn Sorrill, Secretary/Membership Chair
Victoria Ruble, Outreach Chair
Sabrina Zwego, Advisor

Big Welcome to Fort Lauderdale!

2011-03-12T14:59:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to New Official Chapter
Women in Aviation, Fort Lauderdale Chapter #81
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Melissa Grabiec, President
http://www.wai-fll.org/

Jessianna Bartier, Vice President
Sharon Dreesen, Secretary
Karen Anderson, Treasurer
Virginia Knudsen, Outreach Chair

Little Rock is On Board!

2011-03-12T14:38:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to New Official Chapter:
Women in Aviation South Wind Chapter #82
Little Rock, Arkansas

Hadon Rath, President

Whitney Patterson, Vice President
Easton Higbee, Secretary
Veronica Baez, Treasurer
Courtney Taylor, Membership Chair
Kenda Garrett, Outreach Chair

Remembering our Community Worldwide

2011-03-11T23:36:00.000-05:00

As part of the international aviation community, let's take a moment to send good thoughts or say a prayer for our pilot friends, aircraft owners, aviation industry workers, aviation enthusiasts, and airport personnel in Japan and elsewhere whose lives and livelihoods have been impacted by the earthquake and tsunami. We all share the same passion, worldwide, and send these folks every good wish for their lives to return to normal.

Jobs! Jobs!

2011-03-10T12:45:00.000-05:00

Women in Aviation, International Corporate Member Southwest Airlines has announced that it is looking for a few good Pilots—actually, more than a few, it turns out. For the first time since 2008, Southwest will be posting the Pilot position on the Careers page of southwest.com. Southwest anticipates hiring 100 Pilots with interviews beginning in April. The job requisition posts today and will remain open until 5 p.m. Central Time on March 23. Candidates who meet Southwest’s qualification requirements should visit southwest.com/careers to apply.

Process

Candidates apply through southwest.com/careers, answer prescreening questions, and upload a simple résumé. It is recommended that the résumé be created in a Microsoft Word document and then attached at the end of the application process through southwest.com/careers.
Candidates who meet minimum qualifications for employment will be e-mailed a link to create a detailed candidate profile.
The application window will be open for two weeks, until 5 p.m. Central Time on March 23.
Candidates will be selected for interview based on competitive experience.
In-person interviews will be held in April and May.

The minimum requirements for consideration

USA DOT/FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP)
2,500 hours total flight time or 1,500 hours total flight time in a turbine aircraft
A minimum of 1,000 hours in a turbine aircraft as the Pilot in Command; only time in a fixed wing aircraft is counted toward this minimum; this specifically excludes simulator, helicopter, WSO, RIO, FE, NAV, EWO, and UAV
Actively flying for two of the last five years preferred
High school diploma or equivalency required
Four year degree from an accredited school desired
B737 type rating is not necessary for interview, but will be required for employment

Once selected to interview, candidates must provide a minimum of three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the Pilot’s flying skills and character by having observed him/her over a sustained period of time.

Want to see more terrific career opportunities? Log on to the Members Only section of www.wai.org/membersonly today. Not a member of WAI? You can join right from www.wai.org. Just click the Join Here button!

Celebrating International Women's Day with an Aviation Bent

2011-03-10T09:19:00.000-05:00

The news story below is a great one. But WAI member and "Women of Aviation Worldwide" instigator Mireille Goyer tells us that what the video does not mention is that the last three phases of the flight (Approach, Land, Taxi) were handled by female controllers as well.

"I even had the female police clerk make PA announcements in the terminal about the important arrival," laughs Goyer, who is hoping that pilots everywhere will take the initiative to heart and carry at least one young woman aloft for her first flight this week.

UK Report on Conference

2011-03-09T23:52:00.001-05:00

Melinda Benson was a volunteer writer for the WAI Daily during the Reno Conference. She had won a scholarship from Rockwell Collins to attend the Conference and made the most of her experience. Here she has provided a report and some photos of her time in Reno:

Aviation Gals of the future…..The Women in Aviation International scholarship winners from England attend the WAI Conference in Reno!

Our journey started back at the WAI European Conference held at Brooklands Air museum, Surrey, England, in November 2010. We were asked to attend interviews hosted by Christi Dobelli, (Airline Captain) Kirsty Moore, (Red Arrows pilot) plus five other leading Women in Aviation, from around the globe.

In January 2011, we received a call confirming that three of us had been successful, and that we would be going to Reno!
Landing at Reno Tahoe International airport on the 22nd February 2011, for our first ever WAI International Conference, was a time of intense excitement and anticipation of what was to come! The approach into Reno was spectacular and Jen snapped away with her flashy new camera!

During the flight, we chatted to Jane Middleton (President of WAI UK chapter), about how lucky we felt to have been chosen as scholarship winners. Another winner, Asieh Ahmadzade, travelled from London a day later, due to her work commitments with Easy Jet.

After checking in and registering at the amazing Grand Sierra Hotel, we decided to go and explore. There was so much happening, that we didn’t know where to start. On Wednesday evening, we attended the Chapter members’ party, hosted by Betty Huck. This was a great opportunity for us to catch up with old friends and new. It was brilliant to meet other chapter members from many different countries.

We were up bright and breezy on Thursday morning to work as ‘volunteer reporters’ in the Press Office. It was great to talk to people who had such interesting stories to tell, and we were delighted when our stories were published!

Thinking back, there were many things that made a great impression on us, including:

The fantastic choice of lectures

The Exhibition Hall (with over 110 exhibitors)

The Silent Auction

The WAI Jazz Band

The Conference Co-ordination Centre

The Education Sessions

Networking Opportunities

The spectacular ‘Banquet Dinner’ closed the Conference on Saturday evening, with 2,000 people attending. The WAI Pioneer Hall of Fame celebrated five distinguished women’s contribution to Aviation. This was so inspiring for us to witness, and we had to pinch ourselves to believe we were really there!

We would like to express a big thank-you to WAI UK and Rockwell Collins for making this possible for us.

[Melinda is on the far right.]