OFFICIALnsSSnEius PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN PILOTS ORGANIZATION VOLUME 11 OCTOBER 1984 NUMBER 8 Convention Album -JLettew to the Sldltox. Dear Editor: given up the Ninety-Nines — she still re­ choice, then, was to get a wreck and rebuild In the July/August issue of The 99 NEWS, ceives The 99 NEWS, the directory and it. past International President Betty McNabb retains her voting privileges. She merely It took me almost a year (after some ‘addressed an issue in this same column that loses contact with her chapter. Section advertising in Trade a Plane) to find one. is sorely coming to a head. However, she members have the best of both worlds, and Finally, I got what I was looking for — a was terribly misinformed on the “classi­ may, upon request, receive the chapter neglected wreck. fication of section membership.” newsletter. W hen all p arts w ere unloaded in a corner To quote the International Bylaws, Article If all this is possible, why, then, would a of a hangar one cold June night (1982), and IV, Section 3, Paragraph B, “Section member feel she is being “kicked out’? the truck left, I was uncertain about my member — Any member may become a Why, if she has so much to offer, doesn’t ability to rebuild it. I started to look over “my section member any time after joining or an she? W hy would anyone be asham ed to be a airplane” and told myself, “There must be applicant may join as a section member....” section member? If these people with ex­ some difference between the round screws That, by the way, is what Sally Ride chose to perience have achieved in the past — great! and the hexagonal ones.” The truth is, I do, and others who do not have time to But let the ones who are enthused now really did not know the difference betw een a devote to a chapter. This does not mean she achieve in the present — today! People screw and a bolt. is not a good 99. retire every day. If they choose to feel For all those months when I was looking W hy does a m em ber fail to com e to they’ve been p u t out to p astu re, th at is their for my VariEze, I was determined to rebuild chapter meetings, fail to pay chapter dues, problem. It’s a frame of mind. Section the plane and to do all the work by myself; I make no effort to contact members or members are still very vital, and can con­ was not going to change it now. I was going officers for two to three years at a time? It tribute at sections and International Con­ to learn how to do it! could be any number of things — health, ventions. If they were doing so on the It took me almost two years and about loss of interest, moved out of state. No chapter level, then there would be no need 1,400 hours of work to rebuild the plane. matter what the reason, I’m sure it’s to be having this discussion! The list of modifications (the plane was built legitimate in the eyes of the member. To sum it all up: in 1978) and changes were a mile long. I keep documentation of my work, and the book of Tim es change, circum stances change, we What kind of a member are you? change; these are a few things we are pictures is six inches thick. guaranteed in life. How we handle them is Are you an active member, On November 27, 1983, I asked my our responsibility. Let’s not ignore the the kind that would be missed? VariEze mentor (Carlos Amspoker, presi­ situation. Or are you just contented dent of the local EAA) to test fly my airplane. As children, we’re taught competition. that your name is on the list? The night before the flight, I could not sleep. Didn’t you see what the Summer Olympics Do you attend the meetings VariEze N66SM tested well on that day, so I did to this nation? Can’t you feel the joy, love and mingle with the flock, started to prepare for my first flight. A and unity of all those kids who worked hard Or do you stay at home VariEze pilot sits in the front seat; the back to strive for excellence? They, each and then criticize and knock? tandem seat does not have instruments or every one, worked hard, and the ones who Do you take an active part controls except for the stick. The visibility of worked the hardest were rewarded with to help the work along? the instruments in front is almost nonex­ gold, silver and bronze medals. Did that Or are you satisfied istent. P reparation for the first flight and the take anything away from the others? No! to only just belong? W hat’s the point of having Olympics, foot­ Think this over, member, ball, baseball, tennis, etc., if after the game is you know what’s right from wrong. over, there is no winner? Are you an active member, H ave you ever said, “I won!” S ure, we all or do you just belong? enjoy the competition, the challenge, the by Carol Phillips friendship and whatever satisfaction one gets from participating. Is this what you call a “child’s lollipop?” Did you ever enter a Dear Women Pilots and 99s: proficiency race, poker run or even apply for an AE Scholarship? Someone is always I would like to share with you all the joy rewarded. Is that wrong? If so, why bother? and excitement of my first few flights in my Sure, there are a lot of other things we can very own, completely rebuilt VariEze do as a 99 chapter. We’re not arguing that! N66SM. In 1980 when I had five hours in my solo are done by verbal instructions from Have you ever tried to explain to a 99, log book, I saw this futuristic airplane in the other fliers of VariEze. prospective or new member, who all those Watsonville Air Show. I could not forget it. The day was set for my solo — Decem­ people are listed in th e directory under your Later the same year, I enjoyed rides in a ber 7, 1983, 1500 hours, Buchanan Field, chapter heading? Have you ever said, “I’ve V.E. Before I knew it, I was hooked. I Concord, California. That morning at the been a member for several years and have became a member of the local EAA (Ex­ hospital I was totally useless and left as soon never met her or them?” Have you ever perimental Aircraft Association) and soon as I could to drive to the airport. I carefully said, “We’ve called her numerous times and realized that, to successfully finish an air­ preflighted the Eze, propped the engine written her with only a response of, ‘I’m plane, together with my busy job as a head (0-200) and taxied to Runway 19R. Just sorry,’ ‘I know,’ ‘I can’t’ or ‘I’ll try,” but nurse in the operating room, would take me before I put on full throttle, I had to be the always to no avail.” many years. However, I wanted very badly happiest gal ever born. T he Ninety-Nines hasn’t lost a m em ber — to build a VariEze and to understand every­ the chapter has. The member hasn’t lost or thing about the airplane. The second cont'd. on p. 8 PUBLISHER The Ninety-Nines, Inc. EDITOR Lu Hollander muBSnaws EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN PILOTS ORGANIZATION Nema Masonhall Nancy Smith VO LU M E 11 OCTOBER 1984 NU M B ER 8 ADVERTISING MANAGER Norma Vandergritf FEATURES 6 Legislation: EDITORIAL CONSULTANT “No Arpege, thanks" Jan Million 8 A Weekend at the National Aviation 6 New Ideas For EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Loretta Gragg Hall oF Fame Old Air Marking Seek & Keep HEADQUARTERS SECRETARY 9 Museums in Baltimore — 6 Pamela Mackey Something For Everyone 7 New Horizons 10 Travel to India 7 Board oF Directors Report International Officers 12 Convention Album 11 USPFT Goes to Oshkosh PRESIDENT 21 Chapter News Hazel Jones 17 Alaska! Are you kidding? 8536 Mediterranean Dr.. Dallas TX 75238 31 Air Racing Update VICE PRESIDENT DEPARTMENTS Barbara Sestito 8041 Ravima Ct., Fair Oaks CA 95628 2 Letters to the Editor ADVERTISING SECRETARY 4 Calendar 5 Avco Lycoming Jean Davis 1812 Center St.. Walla Walla WA 99362 4 New Ratings 11 ClassiFied TREASURER 5 The President's Message 32 AOPA Judy Hall 2115 Sanjo D r. P O Box 193. Lizella GA 31052 BOARD MEMBERS Chanda Sawant Budhabhatti Marie Christensen Marilyn Copeland Harriet Fuller Pat Roberts The 99 NEWS International Headquarters Terminal Dr. and Amelia Earhart Ln. P.O. Box 59965 Will Rogers World Airport Oklahoma City OK 73159 (405)682-4425 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Nlnety-Nlnes, Inc., P.O. Box 59965, Will Rogers World Airport, Oklahoma City OK 73159. CIRCULATION INFORMATION The 99 NEWS is published monthly except bimonthly January/February and July/August Annual subscription rate is $17 50 and is included as part of the annual ON THE COVER: membership of The Ninety-Nines. Inc Subscriptions are The new Ninety-Nines Board of Directors includes (front row) Secretary Jean Davis, available to non-members at the rate of $17 50 per year Postmaster Second class postage paid at Oklahoma City Board members Chanda Budhabhatti and Harriet Fuller, Treasurer Judy Hall, (back and additional entry oFFices (SBN 0273-608S) row) Board members Marie Christensen and Pat Roberts, President Hazel Jones, Membership Count 6.201 as of October 5.