Our chapter members make us proud!

Our 2020 Wings Over Paradise Scholarship winner, Connie, is flying through her training! A very big congratulations on earning your commercial rating! Next up, CFI! 

Congratulations to Colleen for earning her IFR rating! We know you worked hard for it, and having bragging rights for earning 100% on the written!

Saffron Buxton earned her private pilots license before heading off to Embry-Riddle University for her first semester! Congratulations Saffron!

We asked Saffron: What advice would you give other highschool students trying to earn their pilots license?

"It was a lot of work but so worth it. What would I tell other teenagers? A few things come to mind. 

First, you must find a balance between the work that the school will demand and the work that will be required of you pursuing your flight training. It will feel like tug-of-war sometimes but if you plan your time out and stick to it, you will find the rhythm that works for you. Training can be very time consuming and I sometimes found it hard to keep up with what I needed to do for both. While it can be difficult at times it is important to remember that earning your license is a lot of fun, and something that most people will never do. 

Second, ask questions! Ask your instructor, other pilots, people who work with the planes. Everyone has their own unique stories about flying and what they have learned from their experience and you never know when you might learn something new. 

Third, don't let the cost of flight training stop you. Yes it is horrendously expensive but many organizations offer flight training scholarships. They are actively seeking out young people to introduce them to aviation. Apply and follow up with the organizations. If you are serious about pursuing aviation let them know that. I was fortunate to receive two scholarships that helped cover about 85% of my flight training. I made it very clear that in my case I was looking at aviation as a career not a hobby. My ultimate goal is commercial pilot.

Finally, for the girls looking at flying. Please don't be discouraged or intimidated by the lack of women. I never came across a female pilot during my training but I didn't let that stop me. It pushed me harder to achieve my license and to be determined that I could be a role model for other, younger girls. Girls need to see themselves reflected back and I look forward to when a woman commercial pilot is considered the norm and not the exception."

Best of luck and we hope you continue with your 99 sisters in Daytona! 

It is with great pride and teary goodbye that we send our chapter member Abby off to college! Abby will be joining the 2024 class of Liberty University to pursue her dream of being a commercial pilot. We are so very proud of you, Abby and we look forward to celebrating many more of your successes! We hope to see you during your summer breaks and your 99s sisters will be here if you need anything! 

GOOD LUCK ABBY!