Governors Message – Spring 2024
Spring is in the air and in the words of poet Robert Frost “The sun was warm but the wind was chill. You know how it is with an April Day”. I am looking forward to warmer and calmer wind days so my students can complete some long awaited checkrides, solo cross countries, flight reviews, and first solos. I’m sure you are eager to increase or re-start your flying adventures as well.
To get you movitated, be sure to mark your calendars and register for our Spring Section Meeting on April 26 and 27 at Martinsburg Airport (KMRB). Our youngest chapter, the Mountaineers, are eager to welcome you to their home base and show you some wild and wonderful West Virginia hospitality as you are CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF into Spring! The chapter, assisted by the Sugarloaf Chapter, have lined up some fun events for us to enjoy. Go to www.sugarloaf99s.org to register for the section meeting. Our international representative with be past 99s president, Corbi Bullock. Questions? Contact Mountaineer chapter chair Cindy Gresham.
This winter we did not slow down too much, however, CFI extraordinaire, Mary Latimer, flew up to Maryland to help me put on one of her wildly successful G.I.F.T. academy ground schools. We had eight participants, three private and four instrument students along with a CFI candidate. As of March 1, we had three participants pass their written exams, and one of our volunteer ground instructors passed her commercial written. All four were awarded scholarships by the Sugarloaf 99s, GIFT, and an anonymous donor to cover the cost of their written exams. We look forward to seeing more success from this group – and the best part, almost everyone participating was a 99!
And now, here’s a chance for you to give back! The section will be hosting their first ever Mid Atlantic Section Girl Scout Day on May 18 at College Park Aviation Museum in College Park, MD. Our section Aerospace Education coordinator, Melinda Viteri, has organized a full day of activities and needs your help to volunteer for a slot to help with activities or to speak to the children about aviation. No experience required! Melinda has created kits and instructions for the activities. Contact Melinda Viteri to volunteer.
Be the ultimate volunteer! Section elections for our officers will be held this spring. Consider stepping up to run for a position. We are unique in that we elect our entire slate of officers and directors every two years vs. using a staggered format. Contact Laura Savino to volunteer to serve.
Last, but not least, congratulations are in order to DC Chapter member, Kathleen O’Neil, who successfully graduated from the 99s Professional Pilot Leadership Course (PPLI) and to Eastern PA chapter member, Shahd Majid, not just on achieving her CFI but also becoming a published author! Her story of growing up in a traditional middle eastern household and moving to the US to eventually pursue her dream of becoming a pilot is quite inspirational.
Blue Skies to all and hope to see you at an aviation event near you soon,
Lin Caywood * Mid-Atlantic Governor * 2022-2024
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