[click to expand historical 1960 picture of Canadian Governor
Dorothy Rungeling and 99s President Eugenia Heise, taken in Toronto.
Photo courtesy of Dorothy Rungeling.]
Through years of persistent persuasion, Clara T.
Studer, first editor of the 99 NEWS, prodded the United States Post
Office into issuing the Amelia Earhart eight-cent commemorative
stamp on her birthday, July 24, 1963.
The 99s' humanitarian work is legion. Happy
Flyers, Flying Samaritans, Blood Flights and medical airlifts are
good examples.
- Happy Flyers, an international
organization of hams and pilots, was co- founded by Janie
Postiethwaite and her husband, Hartley. For the first time,
through development of new techniques and special equipment for
ELT monitoring and DF radio location, rescuers could be led to a
crash site accurately and quickly.
- Powder Puff Derby winner Aileen Saunders,
another honours Recipient, was at the controls of a plane
weathered-in in El Rosario, Mexico, in 1961. She and the 99s with
her found a desperately poor village in need of food, clothing and
medical supplies. Their first pre-Christmas airlift included a
doctor, and from this experience grew the bi-weekly airlifts,
year-round, of the Flying Samaritans.
- Blood flights, carrying donated blood
from outlying towns to city processing centres, have spread to 99
chapters all over the country since they were begun in 1975 by the
Minnesota Chapter.
The United States Precision Flying Team (USPFT)
championships were held June 5-8, 1985 in Kissimmee, Florida, to
select five pilots to represent the U.S. in the Sixth World
Precision Flying Championships. Foothills Chapter 99 Carolyn Pilaar
was the overall winner to lead the U.S. team. Eight out of the 32
competitors were women, all 99s.
The 1985 World Precision Flying Competitions (WPFC)
in August were also hosted by the 99s. Jody McCarrell, USPFT and
WPFC chief navigation Judge, reported that the chief of the World
Jury, Peter Nissen, observed, as 99s came from everywhere, that he
had never seen so many women involved in such an event and doing
such a great job.
THE FAA and 99s joined hands to promote a
three-year program designed to promote aviation safety. "Back to
Basics," a concept born from the realization that most general
aviation accidents are the direct result of not using basic flying
skills learned as a private pilot, has been supported by all U.S.
chapters.
On Sunday, November 2, 1986, the 57th anniversary
date of the 99s, groundbreaking ceremonies were held at the
International Headquarters located on the grounds of Will Rogers
Airport in Oklahoma City.
On December 29, 1986, for the first time in
America's history, and possibly in commercial aviation history, an
all-female flight crew, led by a woman from Arlington, Texas,
was in control of the cockpit and cabin of a Boeing 727 jetliner.
About 150 passengers and spectators crowded around the gate to
welcome the crew to the DFW Airport. The captain, Beverly Bass, had
been flying for 16 years, 10 of them for American Airlines.
NINETY-NINE JEANA YEAGER and fellow pilot Dick
Rutan completed a nine-day, non-stop, around-the-world flight in
January 1987 in a cabin the size of a telephone booth. She
co-founded Voyager Aircraft, Inc. with Rutan in 1981. She has
experience in mechanical, structural, architectural and aeronautical
design, as well, as commercial illustration. With more than 1,000
hours of experience flying various general aviation and experimental
aircraft, Jeana holds eight world records for flight distance and
speed.
The National Intercollegiate Flying Club (NIFC)
allows students from across the nation to compete in a wide range of
areas, with special awards for individual and team championships. In
1979, the 99s and NIFA agreed that 99s would provide half the
judging staff and all of the support staff for the National
Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) nationals.
When the 99s assumed responsibility for USPFT,
they also agreed to invite the top five pilots from the national
SAFECON each year to try out for the USPFT team. NIFA graduates are
found in all branches of military service, and many return each year
to help the 99s with the SAFECON.
Lt. Col. Eileen Collins launch at Cape Kennedy on
February 3, 1995. Lt. Col. Collins was the pilot on STS-63
Discovery*. 
BELT OF ORION:
In 1995, The Canadian Ninety-Nines were inducted into
Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame. They were presented with the
Belt of Orion Award for Excellence. This award was founded with the
purpose of honoring organizations or groups which have made
outstanding contributions to the advancement of aviation in Canada.
The Aviation Hall's of Fame's citation for the
99s: "The spirit of fellowship of these women who share one
common interest and accomplishment - flight - has been revealed in
their active promotion of aviation and safety in aviation through
educational, charitable and scientific activities which have been of
exceptional benefit to Canadian aviation in general."
99s who attended the "Belt of Orion"
Induction Ceremonies outside Government House, Edmonton, Alberta
on June 1, 1995: Back Row (L to R): Rosella Bjornson, Elaine
Tranton, and Mary Lee Burns. Front Row: Lou Milhausen, Yvonne
Coates, Joy Blackwood (Governor, East Canada Section), Joan Lynum,
Mary Oswald
In 1996, the 99s hosted the 12th WPFC in Fort
Worth, Texas. Jody McCarrell was the Competition Director.
Twenty-one countries from the world competed, including a Canadian
team consisting of 4 99s from East Canada Section. This was the
first time an all-women team had competed in this event.
In May 1999 Julie Payette (Montreal Chapter) was
launched into Space. See the
Montreal
Chapter page to see Julie's message from space.
In July 1999 Eileen Collins became the first woman
to command a Shuttle Launch!
In July, 1999, the new Ninety-Nines Museum of
Women Pilots was dedicated, coinciding with our 70th
Anniversary. The new museum houses an aviation research library,
oral histories on video tape, and the Jessie Woods Photo
Collection. Memorabilia is on display from the collections of
Amelia Earhart, Louise Thaden, Hazel Jones, Jerrie Cobb, Jackie
Cochrane, among others. The Museum is located in Oklahoma City.
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