California Dreamin' A Flight Fest in San Diego?

[Barb-SAN]

I just signed up to participate in this conference which is going to be held in San Diego in March, 2008. I've heard great things about it from some women pilots. It's held in a different location every year. Since it's going to be in San Diego this year, I figured it would be more than convenient! Here's the link for more details, if anyone else is interested. https://www.wai.org/08conference/index.cfm

Although it is sponsored by "Women in Aviation", it is open to both men and women. Note that there are two behind the scenes tours...one to the Naval Air Station North Island, and another to the King Schools (producers of aviation educational videos). If anyone is interested, there is a discount if you become a member of WIA and pay your conference fees by tomorrow, Dec. 15.

Note that there are several different options in the registration, depending on if you want to attend the entire conference, or just one day, or go on the tours.

For anyone interested in an "educational" Flight Fest...this might be a good opportunity to fly to a warm, usually sunny location, as well as learn something more about aviation. The conference is also supposed to be great for networking and learning more about careers in the industry. There are educational seminars as well as the company booths. There's a long list of companies who will be exhibiting listed on the website.

It's being held at the Town and Country Hotel in Mission Valley. That's fairly centrally located with bus service to downtown, and not too far from the airport, Zoo, SeaWorld, beaches, etc. (for those who wanted to make it a longer vacation than just doing conference things). There are lots of other hotels in the general vicinity as well.

[Barb-SAN]

This evening at Pacific Beach...sending some "virtual" warm weather to everyone who has been blasted by the ice and snow storms in the Midwest and Northeast during the last week.... There were quite a few surfers in the water (with full wet suits though)...and I did have a sweater, parka, and fleece hat on (it was about 60 degrees...).
So, this is also my "San Diego Promotion"....

[Jeff California]

Been fishing there many times. I am game for a fest in san diego anytime.

[Barb-SAN]

Originally Posted by Jeff California

Been fishing there many times. I am game for a fest in san diego anytime.

It occurred to me that it might be handy to have a flight fest in conjunction with this conference, since all the events are already organized...all we have to do it show up! It doesn't matter if only 2 of us from TF attend, or 20...the conference will take place. I think it's another aspect of learning more about the aviation industry, which can increase our understanding and comfort. It's also a chance to spend meet others who work in the aviation industry, and look at the displays, and ask questions of the various airline and avionics, etc. company representatives in their respective booths.

Of course, if people wanted to have just a "fun fest"...most any time in San Diego works for that (except when there are fires....).

[Barb-SAN]

Just got this today....lots of cheap fares on SWA, travel Tues. or Wed., buy your ticket by Jan.21. http://www.southwest.com/hotfares/ho...ml?src=e010808 Unfortunately there's a blackout for these fares for flights from Florida during the period of this conference.

[Barb-SAN]

Just got an update on conference activities from WAI...I'm looking forward to attending with some local women pilot and student pilot friends. Anyone interested here at TF...there's still time to sign up... (and it's open to men as well as women)

San Diego, Here We Come!
Women in Aviation, International is coming to San Diego, California's second largest city on March 13 -15 for its 19th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference. There, blue skies keep watch on 70 miles of beaches bathed in a gentle Mediterranean climate. Bordered by Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, the Anza-Borrego Desert and the Laguna Mountains, San Diego county's 4,200 square miles offer immense options for business and pleasure.

The Town & Country Resort Hotel, the conference site, has a host of restaurants ready to serve, and excellent banquet and exhibition facilities. Shopping at the Fashion Mall is footsteps away, as are all the delights of San Diego's romantic Old Town district. The Town & Country's deluxe rooms are beautiful, but don't expect to spend much time in yours, as the action gets started early, March 12, with a tour of San Diego's famous North Island Naval Facilities. If you haven't signed up for this special, behind-the-scenes tour, call the Women in Aviation, International Headquarters today and get yourself on the list (937-839-4647). If you are more into the silver screen than big boats you can sign up for the tour of the King Schools facility, where famous flight instructors John and Martha King create their award-winning instructional materials. Take your chance in front of the blue screen (hey, you might just get hired!). While you are signing up for events, be sure to put a check mark next to our Friday night Gala at the San Diego Air and Space Museum. It will be a star-studded event, replete with living history exhibits you won't want to miss. You can sign up for it all when you register for the conference online at: www.wai.org/confreg/2008_start.cfm.


Professional Development: Get Yours at the Conference
Wednesday may be your day with the Navy, but be sure to reserve Thursday for a few key networking events. Women in Aviation, International traditionally holds several Professional Development seminars in the morning and afternoon of the opening day of our conference, and 2008 is no different. Sign up for either an Aerospace Educator's Workshop, an FAA Maintenance Recurrent Training Course, a National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) Master's Roundtable, and two excellent 2.5 to 3 hour business seminars, "Project Plan-opoly" by The Boeing Company, and "Gain a Competitive Advantage" by Cessna Aircraft. You can sign up for all of these extras when you register for the conference at www.wai.org/08conference/index.cfm.


Who's Exhibiting?
Did you know that you can check out the exhibitors for our 2008 International Women in Aviation Conference online? Point your browser to http://www.wai.org/08conference/2008_exhibitor_bios.cfm and read up on who's who so that you know who to check out first when the exhibition hall doors open on Thursday, March 13 in San Diego. See you there!


Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance at WAI 2008
The Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM) is hosting a variety of seminars and events during the 19th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference.

FAA Recurrent Technical Training & IA Renewal
Thursday, March 13th, 8 am - 5 pm

Hourly Aviation Technical Seminars help kick-off WAI 2008. Open to everyone - Mechanics & Pilots. Sessions include:

• Human Factors
• Revolution in Aircraft Systems Training
• Runway Incursions
• Non-Destructive Inspection & Testing
• The FODinator - FOD Consequences
• Failure to Follow Procedures
• Maintaining Your Aircraft
• Troubleshooting System Problems

AWAM Scholarships Breakfast sponsored by Pratt & Whitney
Saturday, March 15th, 7 am

Come celebrate the accomplishments of women in technology. Scholarships from entry-level, to advanced processes and troubleshooting, and even cash will be awarded from the following Sponsors:

Abaris Training
Aircraft Technical Book Co.
CAE SimuFlite
FlightSafety Intl.
Horizon Air
Paul Girard
JetBlue
The Nolans
Pittsburgh Inst. of Aeronautics
Pratt & Whitney
The Rice Family
Southwest Airlines
Waters Family & Friends

Numerous technical topics will also be featured in the WAI educational sessions Friday and Saturday. See the AWAM Flyer in your Conference Registration Materials for a list of all the technical activities happening at the 2008 WAI Conference. More information found at www.awam.org


For Flight Instructors Only
If you are a flight instructor you know, once every two years you need to hit the books and refresh your knowledge - it's an FAA rule. Did you know you could refresh yourself in the company of other like-minded WAI members by participating in the WAI FAA Flight Instructor Refresher clinic, hosted by the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI)? Numerous speakers and reams of new information regarding the latest airspace changes and avionics technology keeps the 16 -hour course interesting to all. You do not need to be a conference participant to join the Refresher clinic (but once you get there you may change your mind and decide to stick around for the conference).

The clinic runs all day Wednesday and Thursday, March 12-13, at the Town & Country Resort in San Diego, California, where the conference is located. More information is available at www.wai.org/08conference/index.cfm or by calling (937) 839-4647.


Pioneer Hall of Fame
If you haven't had the chance to stay all the way through one of Women in Aviation, International's Conferences to the end, then you've missed one of the most moving tributes that we, the members of WAI, can pay to those gutsy women who have paved the way for our success in the fields of aviation and aerospace. This year's Pioneer Hall of Fame induction, held during the Awards/Scholarship Banquet on Saturday, March 15th, should prove to be one of our most moving.

So who are the Pioneer Hall of Fame Inductees for 2008? Find out by visiting the WAI Conference website at: www.wai.org/08conference/2008_conf_phof.cfm. Included are bios for these amazing women and their many achievements.

The Women in Aviation, International Pioneer Hall of Fame was established in 1992 to honor women who have made significant contributions as record setters, pioneers, or innovators. Special consideration is given to individuals or groups who have helped other women be successful in aviation or opened doors of opportunity for other women. Each year, the organization solicits nominations from throughout the aviation industry for the WAI Pioneer Hall of Fame.

[Barb-SAN]

The conference was great...lots of positive energy, interesting speakers, North Island static display of 10 different Navy planes, with a chance to climb aboard and talk to women pilots and technicians (as well as a few men ). I just got the official report in an email from WAI this morning, so am posting it here. The next annual conference will be at the end of Feb. 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. Although it's a bit pricey, I do think there is a benefit for fearful flyers to attend one of these conferences. There are many opportunities to talk to pilots (and other aviation professionals) in a relaxed atmosphere. All the major airlines, as well as commuter airlines, flight schools, the FAA, and the military had recruiting booths. There were even flight simulators (F-18) you could try out.

There were many small seminars...I especially enjoyed one by a woman aerial photographer who is on the staff of EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) and does air-to-air photography at Oshkosh. She wears a harness so she doesn't fall out of the plane (they take the door off so she doesn't need to photograph through glass). She presented a lovely slide show of her work.

O.K....so here's the official report from WAI. I give the conference 4 thumbs up!




"The Biggest WAI Conference Ever
As the 19th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference drew to a close, all the statistics pointed to the organization's biggest Conference ever. "By all accounts, this has been one of the most exhilarating and successful conferences we've had," said WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian. Attendance reached a new high with 3,320 women and men registered. More than 250 of the Conference-goers were from the military, also a new record. The Exhibit Hall was the biggest ever with 151 separate companies and organizations on display, representing all aspects of the aviation community.

Plans are already underway for the next International WAI Conference. "Ours is a Conference like no other. The positive energy here must be experienced to be believed," said Dr. Chabrian. The 20th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Georgia, from February 26-28, 2009.
Conference Special Events
This year's conference featured several special events including Military Day, a tour of King Schools and a Gala at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. First, the U.S. Navy played host to over 300 WAI Conference attendees for the first ever WAI Military Day. Participants had the opportunity to tour the North Island Naval Facility, interact with base personnel, and get an up close look at military aircraft and rotorcraft. Military Day concluded with a tour of the aircraft carrier USS Midway.
King Schools opened its doors to a smaller group of conference goers, offering tours and "blue screen" talent tryouts, too!

The San Diego Air & Space Museum Gala also drew a large crowd. The 600+ attendees were free to tour the museum, interact with the 2008 Pioneer Hall of Fame inductees and the Soviet Women Military Pilots, and also have copies of Ann Coopers' new book "Stars of the Sky" signed by Ann, Sharon Rajnus (the book's Illustrator) and a consortium of women featured in the book.
2008 Scholarships Awarded
Nearly $700,000 in scholarships was distributed to WAI members at every stage of life from university students to mature members seeking a mid-life career change to aviation. Women in Aviation, International Scholarships are only available to Women in Aviation, International members. Are you a winner? Check here.

Although the 2009 Scholarship List will not be posted until August of 2008, it's still worth checking out the scholarship page on the WAI website [www.wai.org/education/scholarships.cfm]. It contains the information you'll want to know before you apply for 2009 scholarships this fall. Among the material is an informative article entitled "How to Win a Scholarship". A must read!
AWAM Awards 2008 Scholarships at WAI Conference
The Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM) awarded several key scholarships during the 19th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference in San Diego, California last month. AWAM scholarships are available to applicants through www.awam.org, and are traditionally awarded during the International Women in Aviation Conference.

AWAM scholarship winners can be viewed on the WAI website at: http://www.wai.org/news/press/08_wai_04.html
Silent Auction Success
The WAI silent auction raised $28,000 for WAI's Endowment Fund, also a new record, bringing the total in the Endowment Fund to $563,000. Auction items ranged from electronics to artwork, from airline tickets to aircraft models. Lucky high bidder Jerry Ashley, even got the chance to take a ride with Julie Clark in her T-28 while in San Diego at the WAI conference. The Endowment Fund provides scholarships to deserving WAI Members who wish to pursue a career in aviation. The Endowment Fund also supports a number of education projects.

Our thanks go out to the companies and individuals who donated auction items this year and to those who bid on them.
WAI Honors Pioneer Hall of Fame Inductees for 2008
Women in Aviation, International welcomed five new inductees into its Pioneer Hall of Fame during the closing banquet at the nineteenth annual Conference in San Diego, California. The Pioneer Hall of Fame Inductees for 2008 are:

Nancy Harkness Love is one of three women pilots chosen to work for the Airmarking Program in 1935. In 1942, she was named Director of the Army's civilian Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS). She led a total of 404 women ferry pilots during World War II.

Maj. Nicole Malachowski is the first woman to be selected and serve as a pilot with the Air Force Thunderbirds and the first woman to fly on any United States military flight demonstration team. She is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and was Flight Lead responsible for providing air cover over Baghdad during the historic Iraqi elections in 2005. She has 188 hours of combat flight hours.

Geraldine ("Jerrie") Mock was the first woman to fly around the world. She took off on March 19, 1964, and landed safely in Columbus on April 19, 1964. She was the first woman to fly from the United States to Africa via the North Atlantic, the first to fly the Pacific in a single-engine aircraft, and the first to fly both major oceans solo. Jerrie continued to compete, achieving 21 records for speed and distance.

Margaret Ringenberg served with the United States Army during World War II in the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program. She flew the PT-19, BT-13, AT-6, and UC-78, got her instrument rating in a DC-3, and co-piloted the B-24 and C-54. After the war, she became a flight instructor and avid air racer. Tom Brokaw devoted an entire chapter in his book, "The Greatest Generation," to her.

The Women's Section of the Air Transport Auxiliary was established on January 1, 1940, to help ferry aircraft throughout Britain during World War II. Despite the initial negative reaction, the first eight women were so successful that more women joined the section. Later, the women began to ferry twin-engine aircraft, then fighter aircraft such as Spitfires and Hurricanes, twin-engine bombers and finally four-engine bombers such as the Halifax and Stirling. Twenty six American women signed up for the ATA, along with women from other countries."