Barb-SAN
11-19-2006, 04:41 PM
Yesterday I spent the morning at a 99's meeting at the Gillespie Field hangar of Connie Charles (the local 99's chapter president...see attached link for her inspiring story that was in the San Diego Union Tribune last year).
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050528/news_2m28flier.html
It was such an enjoyable time, I thought I'd mention the 99's as another resource for women here who want to learn more about flying. It's a way to find some positive role models, form friendships with women who fly and LOVE flying, and yes, maybe find a female flight instructor...:angel: .
Here the meetings are open to guests, and they often have informative speakers related to some aspect of aviation. Yesterday the director of education from the Aerospace Museum showed us their presentation to school children. She covered the "four fundamentals of flight" (lift, weight, thrust, drag), and then she had us make some paper airplanes (designs I hadn't seen before) which we then practiced flying around the hangar!
We also went around the group and told our "stories". Folks didn't seem that surprised that I started learning to fly as a way to overcome fear of flying. They were interested to hear about the Flight Fest and opportunity we had in Nashville to "preflight" the 737.
One of the women said her HUSBAND wouldn't fly with her, because HE had a terrible fear of flying, including commercial flight. Several women said their husbands were pilots...and the woman who said "her husband was going to teach her to fly" drew a LOT of laughter. Apparently there's a cliche about "the spouse as teacher".:rolleyes:...not always an ideal situation. :lol:
This chapter also has fund-raising activities. The proceeds go toward scholarships for women to help pay for their flight training.
http://www.ninety-nines.org/
The woman in the second photo down, next to the float plane, is a member of this chapter of the 99's, and a friend. She went to Alaska to take a week of instruction, and got her sea plane rating. She said the scenery there was just breath-taking. She also took glider lessons in Arizona, and said that really helped her feel more confident about flying without an engine. You've got only one chance to do the landing though...no go-arounds possible.
Fran Bera is famous in the aviation world, and also very active in the 99's, great, fun woman, very friendly and welcoming to the newcomers too. She said she's been flying for 66 years now, and still flies at 80+ years old! She also has a hangar at Gillespie Field (and was the inspiration for my comment to Rebecca about looking for one of those "fly-in houses".)
http://www.ninety-nines.org/franbera.html
So, ladies....if you want to take a peak at the aviation world from a woman's perspective, check out your local 99's! It could be the first step to a surprising change in your life!:)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050528/news_2m28flier.html
It was such an enjoyable time, I thought I'd mention the 99's as another resource for women here who want to learn more about flying. It's a way to find some positive role models, form friendships with women who fly and LOVE flying, and yes, maybe find a female flight instructor...:angel: .
Here the meetings are open to guests, and they often have informative speakers related to some aspect of aviation. Yesterday the director of education from the Aerospace Museum showed us their presentation to school children. She covered the "four fundamentals of flight" (lift, weight, thrust, drag), and then she had us make some paper airplanes (designs I hadn't seen before) which we then practiced flying around the hangar!
We also went around the group and told our "stories". Folks didn't seem that surprised that I started learning to fly as a way to overcome fear of flying. They were interested to hear about the Flight Fest and opportunity we had in Nashville to "preflight" the 737.
One of the women said her HUSBAND wouldn't fly with her, because HE had a terrible fear of flying, including commercial flight. Several women said their husbands were pilots...and the woman who said "her husband was going to teach her to fly" drew a LOT of laughter. Apparently there's a cliche about "the spouse as teacher".:rolleyes:...not always an ideal situation. :lol:
This chapter also has fund-raising activities. The proceeds go toward scholarships for women to help pay for their flight training.
http://www.ninety-nines.org/
The woman in the second photo down, next to the float plane, is a member of this chapter of the 99's, and a friend. She went to Alaska to take a week of instruction, and got her sea plane rating. She said the scenery there was just breath-taking. She also took glider lessons in Arizona, and said that really helped her feel more confident about flying without an engine. You've got only one chance to do the landing though...no go-arounds possible.
Fran Bera is famous in the aviation world, and also very active in the 99's, great, fun woman, very friendly and welcoming to the newcomers too. She said she's been flying for 66 years now, and still flies at 80+ years old! She also has a hangar at Gillespie Field (and was the inspiration for my comment to Rebecca about looking for one of those "fly-in houses".)
http://www.ninety-nines.org/franbera.html
So, ladies....if you want to take a peak at the aviation world from a woman's perspective, check out your local 99's! It could be the first step to a surprising change in your life!:)