Virginia Chapter 99s - virginiachapter99s
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TOY AIRLIFT 2012--THE BEST EVER!
Toy Airlift 2012 was a fabulous success! Finally we have broken the 1000 mark in toys given to the military and over $1000 in gift cards for McGuire's Veterans Hospital! That’s a mark for which we have been aiming for several years.
The low clouds kept any planes from flying in until near noon but once they started, they all just kept coming and it was great to see them! Surprisingly the guys from Martinsville WV actually said they had VFR all the way as they delivered toys collected. Another group had planned to fly from the Hillsville/Galax area but could not so they left by car at 0430 and drove six hours to make their delivery! Now that is dedication!
We were thrilled to meet our newest member Li Yang from the Blacksburg area as she and Sara Morris flew in from LYH and helped serve food. They also brought donations they had collected.
The ladies from the Eastern PA Chapter Ninety-Nines were unable to fly out of their area due to heavy rain so they shipped their donations which were 35 toys and $520 in gift cards for the Veterans’ Hospital. There were a couple of late deliveries which brought our totals to 1005 toys for the military, 91 gifts to the hospitalized veterans and 55 gifts for the homeless veterans to give their children and $1070 in gift cards for McGuire’s Veterans Hospital.
Everyone who attended appeared to be having a big time! At 10 AM about a dozen children waited at the fence to greet Santa David Hinkle as he made a grand entrance in his beautiful red and white Monocoupe. After posing for pictures, he greeted the soldiers then made his way into the terminal as the children accompanied him. Many of them gave their donations directly to Santa and his elf which thrilled the children. About noon Santa Hinkle was relieved by Santa Jim Anderson of Wing Nuts and his elf grandson who finished out the shift. Around 2 PM they waved to everyone and departed in N75612 a C-172/180 hp on their way back to the North Pole!
We again had great music all day which began with the LC Bird Choir. They even led the children in making certain gestures to the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. The little kids loved that! Following that group, the violin students of Wing Nut Randy Allen’s Bon Air Strings treated us to numerous Christmas carols. They were great! Walt Street, retired soloist with the Army Band, again gave a fantastic performance assisted by his niece Carolyn.
There was a nice front page story with pictures in the Petersburg Progress-Index on 12/11. You can see it on line at http://progress-index.com/news/santa-flies-for-toy-airlift-1.1414621, Does anyone know how to contact Max and Chase Creasy so they can see their picture with their children in that article? There was also a front page article with pictures in the Hopewell News on 12/11 which you can see at http://www.hopewellnews.com/article_5103.shtml#.UMj7P2_LSSo
Again, thanks to everyone and we look forward to seeing you next year for an even more successful Toy Airlift. Mark your calendar now for the second Saturday in December.
"WOMEN CAN FLY" EVENT
News Release
January 16, 2013
CONTACT
Betty Wilson
Public Relations Manager (804) 225-3783
betty.wilson@doav.virginia.gov
Women Can Fly Event Will Introduce Flight to Girls and Women in Virginia
Women Can Fly, a series of three special Saturday events scheduled for June of 2013, will introduce aviation to more girls and women in Virginia. While the number of women working in the aviation industry has steadily increased, they are still underrepresented in the workforce and the number of women pilots is only 6% of the total pilot population. Women Can Fly will be an enjoyable and educational event for girls and women of all ages. The event will provide a variety of experiences, including classroom presentations, simulation opportunities, and a flight in a general aviation aircraft for participating girls and women. The goal is to introduce them to aviation and provide information and opportunities in the aviation industry as well as experiencing the fun and camaraderie of general aviation.
Women Can Fly events will be held at Warrenton-Fauquier Airport on June 8, 2013; Hampton Roads Executive Airport on June 22, 2013; and Lynchburg Regional Airport on June 29, 2013.
Local contacts are:
Women Can Fly is sponsored by the Ninety-Nines, Inc. (International Organization of Women Pilots); Liberty University; Virginia Department of Aviation, and participating airports.
The Virginia Department of Aviation continually strives to become the standard of excellence among state aviation
agencies through its cultivation of an advanced aviation system that is safe, secure and provides for economic
development; its promotion of aviation education and awareness; and by providing flight services for Commonwealth
leadership and state agencies.
# # #
_________________________________________________________________________________
Virginia Department of Aviation • 5702 Gulfstream Road • Richmond, VA 23250‐2422
Phone (804) 236‐3624 • Fax (804) 236‐3635 • www.doav.virginia.gov
ANOTHER NEW MEMBER! MEET LI YANG
We are thrilled to have another new member, Li Yang. Here is a thumbnail bio she has given us. We should be able to meet her at the Toy Airlift so join us there!
Betty Vinson
Some things about me: I am Chinese (that explains why my name is so strange) 24 years old. My husband is studying in Virginia Tech so I moved to the US on December, 2011. We live in Blacksburg, VA, which is close to Sara Morris so maybe we can meet one day. I did my private pilot training here in Blacksburg this year and got my PPL this August, so I am still a new inexperienced pilot. I fly Piper and Cessna have 100+ hours in power plane. Currently I am doing Glider training at Blue Ridge Soaring Society (New Castle Glider Port) with their scholarships, and close to solo glidering now. Since glider flying time counts as total flying time so it is a cheaper way for me to get a few hours, but most importantly I believe the variety flying benefits flying skills. With my license I am trying to do something useful for the community, I am also a member of Pilot N Paws started from last month, so far I have flown 2 missions and saved 11 dogs, I am very proud of that :_) My goal is to continue flying and become a professional pilot one day, and develop a career from there.
I would very much like to attend 24th meeting at FCI, but my in-laws are coming to visit us from CT, so I can not meet you all this month. I believe I would be able to see you all on 12/8 annual toy lift day! I will have a look at the Toy Lift event and talk to some people at my home base airport BCB, later will let you know how it goes.
The Women Can Fly Day sounds very interesting, since I am right in a university town, maybe I can help to spread the words as well. I will drop Sara a line, thank you for the detailed message, it must took you a while to write to me.
Li
860-810-3048 (home)
323-354-7701 (cell)
NEW REQUIREMENT BY FAA FOR YOUR MEDICAL
FAA MEDXPRESS SYSTEM FOR OBTAINING YOUR MEDICAL
The following was copied from the FAA MedXPress Web site:
“The FAA MedXPress system allows anyone requiring an FAA Medical Certificate or Student Pilot Medical Certificate to electronically complete the FAA Form 8500-8. Information entered into MedXPress will be transmitted to the FAA and will be available for your AME to review at the time of your medical examination.
NOTE: A medical examination by an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) is required to complete the certification process. The FAA MedXPress system is not available for submission of Agency ATC exams at this time. “
Starting 10/1/12, anyone going for their medical must first complete FAA form 8500-8 online. This online form is the same one we have previously completed by hand in the AME’s office, so at least that will look familiar.
After completing the form online, you will be issued a confirmation number. On arriving at your AME’s office, you will give him/her that number; they will pull up your online form. Once your examination is accomplished, they will complete your form and forward it electronically to the FAA.
So yes, you must now have an e-mail address to accomplish this process. You must also obtain a log-in from the FAA website at https://medxpress.faa.gov BE SURE TO TAKE THE CONFIRMATION NUMBER WITH YOU TO GIVE TO YOUR AME.
Sara Parmenter In the News
Virginia Chapter member Sara Parmenter age 87 was recently interviewed by reporter Bill Lohman for the Richmond Times-Dispatch and it appeared in today’s 6/11 Metro Section. Additional pictures with Sara talking about her love of aviation can be seen at http://www2.timesdispatch.com/online/slideshows/ She does a great job of describing what we all feel when in the air. Be sure your sound is turned up!
Sara also received her Wright Brothers Master Pilot award June 9th at a gathering at the Military Museum Airport in Hampton Roads.
Aviation Poem--Mabel
Young Mabel from far-off Mt. Shasta,was marking her chart in Nebraska.
Her route was to Wooster,
but somebody goosed her,
and Mabel wound up in Alaska!
CHARTER MEMBER IS DECEASED
Charter Member Mary Virginia "Ginny" Riley,87, passed away Thursday March 10 about 4:50 PM at Memorial Regional Hospital in Mechanicsville VA. She died as a result of an accidental fall in her home March 8, 2011.
Her obituary and details of services can be found at http://www.asimas.com/ASIMAS/vincentfh/obituaryDescription.jsp?domain_id=351&deceased_id=240989 You can also leave a message of condolence there.
Ginny had learned to fly while she and husband Jim lived in Texas. When Jim's job with the FAA moved them to the Richmond area, she met Maxine Walker, another female pilot and they became life-long friends. Since there was no Ninety-Nines chapter in Virginia at the time, Ginny and Max flew or drove to North Carolina to attend meetings there. Ginny became a member February 23, 1962. These two enterprising women gathered a few other female pilots and together they formed the Virginia Chapter; the charter date was April 21, 1962.
Ginny rarely missed a meeting so long as she was in town and physically able to attend. She served many years as chapter historian. Although she suffered several health challenges, she never complained. When asked how she was doing, Ginny always answered either "I'm great" or her favorite "Mahvelous!"
Ginny was a long time resident of Memphis TN and was well known for her love of fellow Memphisian Elvis. She had loads of Elvis memorabilia throughout her house. Once a friend gave her a life-size cutout of Elvis and thereafter he was always in attendance when we celebrated her birthday each April. He was also standing at the foot of her casket during the celebration of her life. See pictures of Ginny with other Virginia Chapter members in our various albums.
Recent activity
DOWNLOAD YOUR OWN CHARTS--FREE!
Amazing! The FAA now has most aeronautical charts including both VFR and instrument approach procedures, high and low altitude charts and more now available for downloading---free! Go to http://aeronav.faa.gov/index.asp?xml=aeronav/applications
Chapter Updates
New very friendly FBO
I was flying in southern VA a few months ago and had the pleasure to meet Mr. Melvin Vick. He and his wife Terri are the new owners of the FBO at Emporia-Greensville Regional Airport. He is an extremely friendly accommodating guy; had good fuel price too--$4.299. Next time you are out flying, go by and say Hi to Mr. Vick.
Betty Vinson
Our Mission Statement
OUR MISSION --The Ninety-Nines is the international organization of women pilots which promotes advancement of aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support while honoring our unique history and sharing our passion for flight.”
Future Meetings of Virginia Chapter
The February 16 meeting will be held at Chesterfield Airport (FCI). It will begin at 11 AM in the ground floor meeting room.
We will be making final adjustments to our new Virginia Riley Aviation Award so that it can be publicized right away. We need everyone's input so do plan to be there. We will also be deciding on where our next meetings will be held, hopefully through spring. Wouldn't you like to host a meeting? You would get to choose details like the location and program details. Go ahead and e-mail Chair Sharon Blodinger with your offer right away.
Since there is no food for sale at the airport during lunch, you are advised to being a bag lunch.
All women interested in aviation are encouraged to attend whether you have a license or not. We love to mentor student pilots!
NEW VIRGINIA RILEY AVIATION AWARD
The Virginia Chapter Ninety-Nines has decided to make a one-time aviation award in the amount of $350 available to any female pilot in Virginia. This award can be used for flight training or for an aviation-related educational project. Application will be made by writing a letter detailing how the money will be spent.
The award is named for our charter member Mary Virginia "Ginny" Riley who deceased this past year.
The possibility of making the award an annual event will depend on results of our fund-raising efforts. The award will be made next spring so keep your eye on this space for more details.
REPORT ON OUR AFTER-HOLIDAY PARTY
In lieu of a monthly meeting, January 12 found us gathered at Crab Louie's Seafood Tavern for some delicious food and lots of camaraderie and fun. Practically everyone who worked at the Toy Airlift was there except Barbara Headley. She and husband Lou were sorely missed as they are always fun to have around. Currently Lou has some health challenges which prevented them from attending. The members present were Joyce Meier with husband David; Sara Parmenter; Chair Sharon Blodinger and husband Bob; and Betty Vinson. Visitors were Walt Street who sang at the Airlift along with his wife Carolyn and granddaughter, Inez; Randy Allen and wife Lana whose violin students added such class to the Airlift; Jim Alexander who was Santa at the event attended with his significant other. We were especially honored to have with us two people from Holiday Helpers disorganization who received and distributed our toys to the military. Director Wayne Hall presented a plaque to our chapter for having reached the Gold Level for having donated over 1000 toys at our 2012 event! He said this was only the second certificate of this level which had been given out. Susan Garling was also there from Holiday Helpers and took several pictures of the presentation. We also enjoyed meeting Wayne's lovely wife Idian.
We also had a contest at the party titled "Why I have already broken my New Year's resolution". Everyoe was encouraged to make up a wild story and share it with the group. Several funny stories were shared but the winner was 88 year old Sara Parmenter with the following big tale:
SARA’S NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION
My New Year’s resolution was to eat less junk food but that did not last long at all. During the first week of January I was flying my “new” Champ with my instructor who weighs around 200 lb, putting us near gross weight right off.
We flew down to Dinwiddie Airport to pick up some unusual chickens a friend there had for me. He knew I had raised them along with peacocks in the past. He had also found a box of Hostess Twinkies for me which I had not been able to find. We picked up the large box of chickens and the Twinkies, packed them into the plane and flew to Chesterfield for lunch. I was concerned about the weight but the plane handled OK.
Just as we landed I saw Mike Alexi from the FAA coming across the tarmac waving at me. I panicked fearing he was going to find we were over gross weight. I sent my instructor Ron to cut him off and delay him. In order to distract him, I opened the box of chickens and dumped them out onto the tarmac; they went flying everywhere, up onto other planes and all over the place! Mike Alexi started trying to round them up hollering “Stop! I am from the FAA and I am here to help you!”
While this was going on I was trying to get rid of the box of Twinkies by the only way I knew how, I started eating them all, stuffing them in as fast as I could go! So you see keeping that New Year’s resolution was completely impossible!
Five decades of women pilots in the U.S. How did we do? Learn the facts.
The following was copied from The Ninety-Nines ListServ dated 8/25/11. The author was Mirelle G. (further personal info unknown).
A few months ago, women pilots in the U.S. made headlines. "The number of women pilots has significantly increased over the last decade," claimed the headlines.
After noticing that the great increase in the number of women pilots was driven by a change in the length of validity of student pilot certificates, I contacted the FAA to obtain statistics for 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, and 2010 so that I could take a look at the numbers on my own. So how are we doing?
In 1980, one in 4,224 women in the U.S. held an "other-than-student" pilot certificate; in 2010, the ratio had become one in 5,623.
Barely registering in bar graphs depicting the pilot population, the percentage of women pilots in 2010 is 5.39% of the pilot population holding an "other-than-student" pilot certificate and 5.15% of the for-hire pilot population.
High growth did take place, but it was between 1960 and 1980, a period that saw the number of women pilots go from 4,218 to 26,896. In 2010, there were
27,451 women holding an "other-than-student" pilot certificate in the United States. An increase of 555 women pilots over three decades.
There is some good news. Since 1970, the number of for-hire women pilots has increased at a steady rate of 3,000 per decade.
However, when we compare the progress of commercial women pilots to other professions previously male dominated, the progress seems dismal.
Interestingly, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the percentage of commercial women pilots (4.3%) is about half of the percentage of female boat captains and operators (8.2%), nearly a quarter of the percentage of female police and sheriff's patrol officers (15%), and close to one eighth of the percentage of female doctors and surgeons (31.8%).
Many factors can explain the current state of the women pilot population and its slow progress. I invite you to view all the data and consider some of the factors by reading this article <http://www.womenofaviationweek.org/five-decades-of-women-pilots-in-the-unit
ed-states-how-did-we-do/> .
Frederick Tops Female Flight Drive
Frederick Airport in Maryland, home airport of AOPA, earned another distinction during Women of Aviation World Week in March 2011. A total of 22 pilots gave free introductory flights to 185 girls and women to claim the title of Most Female Pilot Friendly Airport in the World. "This accomplishment set a new world record for most girls and women introduced to flying in one day and one location...," said organizer Mireille Goyer, a Vancouver, BC flight school owner. Most of the flying took place outside the sunbelt but regardless of location there were some gritty performances turned in by volunteers trying to hook girls and women on aviation. For a complete For instance, there was Diana Stanger, of Port Lavaca, TX who flew 98 girls and women, by herself, in her Eurocopter EC120 to become the Most Dedicated Female Pilot. Casey Cowan in Arlington, WA, USA, braved the rainy weather to win the "Most Supportive Male Flight Instructor in the World" title. A total of 707 girls and women got to go flying that day and that's about one percent of the female pilot population worldwide said Goyer. For more information see http://www.womenofaviationweek.org/ |
262 girls, women fly at Oshawa airport in 2010
Canadian airport recognized for giving most intro flights in a year
By Dan Namowitz
As a Dec. 31 deadline approached for an airport to earn recognition from theCentennial of Women Pilots as the Most Female-Pilot-Friendly Airport in the World, Oshawa, Ontario, reclaimed top honors from Renton, Wash., by giving 262 introductory flights so far this year. Renton pilots have given 184 flights. Kpong Field in Ghana has given 97 flights.
Oshawa accomplished its top-flight performance by introducing 118 girls and women to flying on Dec. 18. Two weeks earlier, Renton had established a one-day record for “most girls and women introduced to flying in one day and one location” with 173 flights, pushing its yearly total to 184. Renton still maintains the one-day record.
The year 2010 is the centennial of the year in which Raymonde de Laroche of France became the first woman to earn a pilot certificate worldwide, on March 18. The introductory-flight events are part of the worldwide Centennial of Women Pilots campaign that seeks to introduce a record number of girls and women to flying “as a salute to the women pilots of the last hundred years as well as an encouragement to girls and women everywhere to discover the joys of flying,” said a news release from the organization.
Oshawa private pilot Lesley Page organized the local event, enlisting 13 pilots and 15 volunteers from Oshawa and Buttonville (CYKZ), with support from municipal officials, airport personnel, and local media.
Page and Oshawa City Councilor Bruce Wood previewed the event on KCDO radio. (Listen to the lively interview).
Other awards to be issued in the centennial event include Most Dedicated Woman Pilot, Most Supportive Male Pilot, and Most Unusual Introductory Flight.
Family & friends
Betty V
Sharon B
Angela A
barbaraheadley@...
Rebecca
betty.wilson@...
Birgitta A
dijonnaf@...
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evamarie@...
gsteimle2005@...
itamann@...
janbro@...
n4mw@...
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licheeyoung333@...
drgas@...
99smaxie@...
msleo@...
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Pam F
smorris2@...
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Susan B
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Favorite sites
Guestbook
5/6/2011 3:25:03 AM - 000026461331
Look at my gorgeous flowers! Of course, they are Hadley's too and were sent
by Nancy and by Hadley's daughter, Nicole!
Sharon
Report From Air Force Cadet Hannah Cox
Hannah is one of our Associate Members and currently attending the Air Force Academy in Ft. Carson CO.
The Air Force Academy is an amazing place to be. I've completely loved my 1.5 years here (even the year that sucked). My squadron freshman year was a blast, and my new squadron for the next three years is slowly growing on me. I joined the Cadet Honor Guard as a freshman and went through the 9 long months of grueling training that forced the 12 of us to become a tight team. This year the team is going to several major Veterans Day parades to march and show off our rifle drill, and hopefully a couple national competitions. We also carry out the vital functions of our 4000 man cadet wing, raising and lowering the flag every morning and afternoon and supplying a color guard for every formation and football game. We are the standard for precision and excellence among the cadet wing. And it definitely keeps us on our toes. (The gale force winds right now are trying to tear the flag off the pole, we're finding people who aren't in class to run out there and switch flags.)
I also had the opportunity to take the Unmanned Aerial Systems course during the summer and the Basic Soaring class at the beginning of the fall. UAS was a lot of fun, as my three-man team were good enough to take on some of the more challenging missions the instructors could throw at us. We did actually fly millions of dollars worth of equipment around Ft Carson, CO. In Soaring, I was one of about three (out of 11) students to solo in our gliders, mainly because of my prior flying experience. The basic soaring course is just too short for everyone to get to solo, especially with the weather being so weird this close to the mountains. The hard part about gliders isn't the actual gliding part, it's being tied to the tow plane.
I'm currently pursuing the computer science major, and it's been pretty challenging so far. It requires working weeks ahead on homework, which is a change for a procrastinator like me. School is hard. Hands down. The average in my physics class is around a 68% (a D), and our core classes are rather intense. I'm in Physics, Law, Engineering Mechanics, Economics, Computer Science, and English this semester. I'm also in swimming and water survival (Water Haze in cadet slang) this semester, which is rather challenging. Jumping off a 10 meter tower into the water will be interesting.
Overall, I love it here. Even though I would like to average more than 5 hours of sleep and 2 cups of coffee a day. Go Air Force, Beat Army. (We already sunk Navy.)
Why Do Women Comprise Only 6% of the Pilot Population?
Recently Penny R. Hamilton Ph. D. undertook a quest to answer the question "Why do women comprise only 6% of the pilot population?"
Her sampling included licensed female pilots and many who had begun but never completed their training along with flight instructors, both male and female.
This important research, partially funded with a Wolf Aviation Fund grant, is completed. The findings are now in the hands of the Wolf Aviation Fund. The results are now posted on the web site _www.teachingwomentofly.com_ (http://www.teachingwomentofly.com/)
Do we now know why women comprise only six-percent of the pilot population? Answer: The study lists the top ten barriers and top ten things these women and men suggest we should be doing to help more women achieve their pilot certificates. These are listed on the Teaching Women to Fly home page.
Bone Fragments Thought To be Amelia Earhart Found
From Oklahoma City's KOKH FOX 25 - Bone Fragments could be Amelia Earhart's - Anthropologists at Oklahoma University could help unlock a 70 year old mystery. They are analyzing bone fragments uncovered from an island in the south Pacific along with pieces of a compact containing remnants of makeup powder.
www.okcfox.com
The Ninety-Nines Endowment Fund Wins $10,000 Grant!
In 2012 The Ninety-Nines Scholarship fund was one of five aviation groups receiving $10,000 from Lightspeed Aviation to aid in their continuing good work encouraging aviation.
Lightspeed is continuing their grants and in early October 2012 an arm of The Ninety-Nines is again the happy recipient of another $10,000. This time it is the Ninety-Nines Endowment Fund wearing the big grin!
Thank you, Lightspeed! and thanks to all who voted for us!!
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5/22/2013 12:54:13 PM