Approaching and after the outbreak of World War
II, 99s devoted themselves to the war effort. American socialite
Ruth Nichols founded Relief Wings, which she turned over to the
Civil Air Patrol after the outbreak of the war. The Tennessee Bureau
of Aeronautics named Phoebe Omlie to supervise a program to aid the
war effort by training a select group of women as flight
instructors, replacing the men gone to war.
In 1942, Betty Huyler became one of the
original group of 25 women forming the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying
Squadron (WAS) organized by Nancy Harkness Love. They ferried
aircraft for the Army Air Corps, and later became WASPS, ferrying
fighters, bombers, transports, cargo and utility aircraft to
England. For nine years following her move to the Ryan Aeronautical
Company in California, Betty directed the Powder Puff Derby. A
charter member of 99s, she served as president and helped establish
the AE Memorial Scholarship.
Racing the winds
BY 1942, women were finally being taken more
seriously as good professional pilots. Paths of succeeding women
pilots were smoothed by the courage of women who were flying in the
'30s.
The first All-Woman Air Show at Tampa, Florida, in
March 1947, was sponsored by the Florida Chapter of the Southeast
Section; Jeannette Lemke Sovereign was president of the 99s. It was
reported that over 13,000 people watched as Marge Hurlburt set a new
international women's speed record of 337 mph.
AIR RACES have been of supreme interest to 99s
since their beginning. Endurance races, then big ones like the
Bendix or Cleveland, and the transcontinental air races, small ones
staged for section meetings and conventions, the All-Women's
International Air Race, the Angel Derby, have had many enthusiastic
boosters.
Other races 99s have originated, developed and
flown in are Formula 1, many proficiency air races, the Kachina Doll
Air Race in Arizona, the Indiana Fairladies Air Races, the
ever-popular Palms to Pines Air Race, and likely the largest and
oldest proficiency race, the Michigan Small Race. Dozens of others,
like the New England Air Race, have drawn competitors from many
states and from Canada. Of major importance is the AWTAR, the Powder
Puff Derby.
..flew the 1956 Transcontinental Air Rally
Jacqueline Cochran's credentials and fame
had been solidly established before the war. Yet she went on to fly
a Northrop T-38 jet and break every speed, attitude and distance
record for women. In 1962 she established over 30 speed records in a
Lockheed Jetstar. Later she flew 1,429 mph in a Lockheed F-104G
Starfighter.
Air Marking
Above, painted Compass rose
With Blanche Noyes as president of the 99s in
1935, air marking began when pilots didn't have OMNI, ADFs or DME,
and even the charts were doubtful. Where a pilot was could be a
major problem. Many of those who pushed for the program were charter
99s, and Noyes remained as the FAA's chairman of air marking until
the '70s.
The first Canadian air marking may have occurred
in Welland, where the roof of Atlas Steels was painted. Shortly
afterwards, a plane landed in a snowstorm, claiming that the air
marking on the roof had saved him.
(the above picture was published in the paper
showing the Welland air marking; although the quality is poor here,
it's shown for historical purposes)
Amelia Earhart Scholarship Program
As a living memorial to the first
president, Amelia Earhart, 99s established the AE Scholarship
program to strengthen and cement women's permanent place in
aviation. The governing body is a Board of Trustees, two of whom are
permanent; three are elected by the 99s. They have the
responsibility of investing and acquiring the monies to continue the
Fund and, through the efforts of outside judges, dispersing
scholarships to the most deserving candidates.
In 1950, non-Americans were permitted to join the
99s. A Canadian Section was created.
Trenton gathering in the 1950s
Dorothy
Rungeling & 3 others - early 1950's.
Our history - the 1960's ..
