President's Page

How can it be 2013 already?

        This past year has flown by so quickly for me, and for a lot of other people too, I suspect. This year is already shaping up with lots of activities

being planned. The highlight of the year, of course, will be the International Conference in Bozeman, Montana in July. The multiple outdoor activities will certainly be different than those at our other Conferences, but then that is part of the Montana mystique. And what a great destination for flying  to in your airplane! Be sure to register as soon as possible to get in on the activities and lock in your hotel room. Use the printed registration form in this issue or go online to register.

 

You’ll also be able to see your 99s friends in other areas, too, by attending some of the aviation events and shows coming up this year. The 99s will have a presence at the Women in Aviation International Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, March 14-16; Sun ‘N Fun International Fly-in & Expo in  Lakeland, Florida, April 9-14; EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 29-August 4; and AOPA Summit, October 10-12, Ft. Worth, Texas.

 

As always, we will need some help at these events, so if you will be attending and can spare some time while you are there to talk to prospective members, please let me know. I think one of the most fun parts of being a member of the booth staff is talking with women of all ages who are thinking about learning to fly, but need the encouragement of other women who have already made that journey. Letting them know that yes, there will be bumps along the road, and no, you don’t have to be superwoman to learn to fly, gives a potential student pilot the feeling they can actually do this,  too.

 

Our appreciation goes out to Pat Prentiss who represented The 99s at the National Aeronautic Association Awards Banquet in November at Arlington, Virginia. She was able to present the Katharine Wright Memorial Award to Captain Laura Easton, United States Air Force. This award is jointly sponsored by the NAA and The 99s and is given to a non-99, “a woman who has contributed to the success of others or made a personal contribution to the advancement of the art, sport and science of aviation and space flight over an extended period of time.”

 

Captain Easton was a 2004 graduate of the USAF Academy and has held positions of increasing responsibility in her career, including flying 301 combat sorties, flying numerous government officials throughout the world and working with USAF cadets who visit active bases for career orientation. Our congratulations go to Captain Easton and our thanks for all she does for aviation.

 

Your Chapter and/or Section will soon be planning for the next fiscal year with officer elections taking place and budgets being drafted. I hope many of you will consider taking an office at some level. It is a very rewarding experience, and you will learn a great deal about the organization along the way. Many of our members think they have to be formally asked to participate, but that is not the case. Please let your nominating committee know you have an interest in helping out. They will be most grateful for the information. As to the budgeting process, be sure to include donations to Headquarters and our four Trusts, if at all possible. The support from Chapters and Sections is always greatly appreciated.

 

For 2013, I wish you all a Happy New Year with lots of plans for flying with your 99s friends!