On July 16, Marine One piloted by all-female crew

Somehow I'd missed this when it happened:

Historic All-Female Crew To Pilot Marine One
July 16, 2009
When President Obama boards his Marine One helicopter today, it will mark the last day in the rotation for Major Jennifer Grieves, the first woman pilot of Marine One.

Grieves, of Glendale, Ariz., became the helicopter aircraft commander of Marine One in May, 2008 - so she started out flying President Bush.

The Marine One crew is made up entirely of women today in honor of her achievement, the White House said.

The co-pilot is Major Jennifer Marino of Palisade, Colorado.

The crew chief is Sgt. Rachael Sherman of Traverse City, Michigan.



Here's the link to this very short article: All Female Crew on Marine One

Here's some more links highlighting these role models, in particular Jennifer Grieves

From The New Agenda:
http://thenewagenda.net/2009/07/20/its-pilot-jennifer-grieves-accomplishment-not-the-presidents/

Here's the video


ABC News:
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/PersonOfWeek/Story?id=8114091&page=1

It's not really about being a female," said Grieves, 38. "It's about being a Marine and about being part of an organization that is exceptional."

There are only five Marine pilots selected at any one time to fly the president and his family.

"Of course, it's nerve wracking to fly the president of the United States," she said. "I think my most stressful days are when I fly Sasha and Malia."

Marines take no chances when flying, even on the simplest of flights. They follow the exact same protocol for every flight, no matter who is on board.

http://www.iwar.org.uk/news-archive/2005/02-01.htm
This article is from 2005. She only appears in a small picture.


Major Jennifer Grieves was the first female pilot of Marine One...but the only way to know if the glass ceiling is broken is when another woman gets that signal honor - which means that there are enough elite women pilots in the Marines now for a woman to be chosen as a matter of course.

John and Martha King of Kingschools

On my recent trip to Cheyenne, Wyoming and back, I picked up lots of books on women in aviation, and took lots of photos...but I don't have time to share 'em now. So, here's more videos!

check out this site: http://kingschools.com



Here's the description from YouTube

"In front of every great woman...stands some guy blocking her view!"

John and Martha King were guest speakers at the 19th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference, in San Diego, California (March 13-15 2008). The topic? The persistence of gender discrimination among pilots.

John and Martha have shared 38 years of flying together and an equal partnership in business. Martha is the first woman to hold every category and class of pilot's license or certification and has flown on nearly every content in the world. Yet, the difference in reactions when people first meet John or Martha indicate that there is still a struggle with the thought of a woman pilot.

Martha presents tips to women on how to lead the change in status quo and succeed in aviation.

And here's part 2 of the video:

Three videos on Katherine Stinson

This starts out modern day for a minute, before seguing into the past and concentrating on Katherine Stinson. I believe it was a doc put together by the New Mexico PBS.

The flying schoolgirl - so called because she was so small, taught American men how to fly during World War I.

VIdeos of Ernst Udet, Lady Mary Heath,

Went to YouTube today to see if there were any new videos on women pilots...ended up with a few off-topic videos and a few on-topic ones... there's a wealth of cool aviation-related vidoes there...



In the US after the first World War, German Ace Ernst Udet performs a dead stick loop and side slip landing hitting a narrow road dead center, at the National Air Races



Lady Mary Heath in a brief doc called Lady Icarus. The individual who put this doc together is attempting to raise funds to put a full-length documentary together.

Video of Svetlana Kapanina


Hanna Reitsch - German test pilot

The Elinor Smith Flight, in Kentucky

If you're going to be visiting Kentucky, why not stop by Aero Tech in Lexington and buy yourself an Elinor Smith flight. Okay, it's a bit of a misnomer, as the flight they take you on is in Kentucky, and you don't fly under any bridges, but hey, it's the principle of the thing!

http://www.aerotech.net/ScenicFlights/scenicflights.html

Her's the ad on their website:

In 1928, Elinor Smith flew under four Manhattan bridges at the age of 17. The Mayor grounded her for 10 days. This flight is uniquely tailored for women as flighty as Elinor. No, we won't be flying under any bridges, but you will fly in a modern airplane, with an FAA certificated flight instructor, who will give you a guided lesson and a breathtakingly beautiful flight.

If you are a lady with a sense of adventure, you will sit in the pilot seat and actually fly. This hour long adventure includes 20-30 minutes flight and a digital photo of you in the pilot seat - thumbs-up, or course!

Cost $99 a flight.

Go for it!

Amelia movie trailer, starring Hilary Swank

Here's the 1.54 minute trailer for Hilary Swank's new movie, Amelia, coming out October 23, 2009.



and if you want to learn more about this iconic aviation figure before October, check out these books from Amazon:



or watch this video

OT: How To Make Money By Blogging

I've published a few Women in Aviation pamphlets on Kindle, now I've published a booklet that shows people how to make money by blogging.



And of course I've got a 24-7 Helpdesk type blog at:

The Miniscule Guide to Everything in which I will post tips and advice on how to blog (and create websites) to make money.

So if you're looking for a relatively inexpensive to set up, and fun way to make money, check out this booklet!

(And if you don't have a Kindle - the price has gone down! Pick up the Kindle II for:

Amelia Earhart... October 2009

The movie based on the life of Amelia Earhart, called Amelia and starrng Hilary Swank and Ewen McGregor, is scheduled to be released in October, 2008.

I'm not actually sure who took the photo that I use to illustrate this particular entry, but I'm guessing, because of the stark contrast between black and white, that it was a famous celebrity photographer of the time, George Hurrell.



Amelia Earhart was born in 1897, to the daughter of a wealthy family. Unfortunately, things being what they are, not all wealthy people stay wealthy, and Amelia actually grew up in more of a lower-middle-class income stream, because her father had a drinking problem and couldn't keep a job.

She didn't have her first flying lesson until 1921, when she was 24 years old. Prior to that time she'd been a nurse.

Because of the fame of Amelia Earhart, many people think that she was *the* pioneering woman pilot. But while she certainly did a lot to advance the cause of women's aviation, she was by no means the first women pilot.

Within a few years after the invention of the first practical airplane by the Wright Brothers (which took place long after that 1903 Kitty Hawk flight) women around the world were flying in planes, and like their male counterparts, some lost their lives. In those early days there was no cockpit. The pilot sat on top of the bottom wing, and had a couple of levers to pull to go up or down. (Although some models did have steering wheels, as you see in the photo of Raymonde Laroche, 22 August 1886 - 18 July 1919),a French woman who was the first woman anywhere to earn a pilot's license, in 1909.)

Unlike guys, who got to wear sensible trousers, women who flew in the early 1900s typically wore long dresses that covered their ankles (God forbid an inch of skin should show). Harriet Quimby (May 11, 1875 – July 1, 1912) was an exception, with her custom-made purple flying suit with trousers that showed off her "lower limbs".


Check out this site: Air Pioneers

A new aviation events calender: Aerovents

PRESS RELEASE:

121five.com Teams Up With AeroVents.com for Calendar Services

Anderson, Indiana, USA July 24, 2009: 121five.com, the credible general aviation news site, where “Direct and Unfiltered” news comes straight from the sponsors to the public, to editors, authors, and publishers in the industry, has added the popular www.AeroVents.com events calendar to its Site Navigation panel. Now, readers can list their organizations’ events or plan for events around the world that pertain to their interests.

Tim Kern, Publisher of 121five.com, said, "It’s great to be able to have such a respected and enthusiastic partner on board for Calendar listings. www.AeroVents.com has an easy-to-navigate interface and a great reputation; and its reach is expanding every day. The diversity of its events is astonishing!"

John Zapp, President of www.AeroVents.com , added, "This is such a natural fit for us since we promote events, 121five.com promotes news. Going into our tenth year we couldn’t ask for a more reputable company and leader than 121five.com and Tim Kern."

121five.com is a sponsor-supported, leveraged-output vehicle for the delivery of industry-direct information to aviation editors, publishers, and authors; it also includes content-rich and often unique Features, either written expressly for 121five.com, or contributed by the site’s Print Partners, featured Organizations, and Marque Clubs, which use 121five’s public access both to promote knowledge of aviation and as a recruiting tool to attract subscribers and members.


More: www.121five.com
www.AeroVents.com

Email: help@121five.com



Contact:
Tim Kern, Publisher
PO Box 30
Anderson, Indiana 46015-0030
863-651-6095

Need a reason to fly to Whitehorse, Canada?

If you ever needed a reason to fly to Whitehorse, Canada, why not do it to see the world's largest weathervane?

It's a DC-3, mounted on pivots so that only 5 knots worth of wind is necessary to point it in the direction the wind is blowing.

http://explorenorth.com/library/aviation/cf-cpy.html

And if you'd like to get an airplane-weathervane for yourself:

Model Airplane Secrets

When I was a kid, I tried to put some models together, but I admit I didn't have the patience for it. Both my sister and I got the Volkswagon bug, Herbie from the original The Love Bugmovie, and I had a U.S.S. Enterprise at one time. Unfortunately, although I enjoyed looking at completed models, especially of ships and classic planes, I simply didn't have the patience to do the minutiae needed to put them together properly.

Today, 40+ years later, I do have the patience, but I don't have the time.

If you have the time, and the patience, but are a little reluctant to get started, check out Model Airplane Secrets.

These aren't static planes that you build and put on a shelf (or give to your young son to play with in the bath, as my brother-in-law does!), these are planes you build and fly.

In addition to an ebook that tells all about building and flying model airplanes, you get these bonuses (seems like you always get bonuses with ebooks, but these are pretty cherce):

FREE Bonus Gift # 1- Model Airplane Insurance Special Report (a $9.97 Value)
As you become an avid model plan builder, flying in shows, for fun and at clubs, you increase your chances of accidents occuring. Thats is why it is recommended to have model airplane insurance in case an accident should occur. This report explains the importance of insurance and recommends companies that you can contact right away!

FREE Bonus Gift # 2- The "Airplane Clubs" Special Report (a $9.97 Value)
Because model airplaning is such an addictive hobby, you will more likely than not want to spend as much time flying as you possibly can. By joining a club, you will make friends with other people who love flying model airplanes and will have an absolute blast. In this handy reference guide, you will learn what to expect when you join an airplane club, including membership fees, rules, flying fields, activities and much more. Plus, this guide contains website addresses for over 35 of the world's most popular airplane clubs!

FREE Bonus Gift # 3- Model Aircraft Glossary (a $9.97 Value)
Learn the most common terms used in the Model Aircraft world. Understand and master the lingo so that you can not have a better degree of understanding of your model airplane and all the components but you will be able to speak intelligently to other model airplane enthusiasts.

FREE Bonus # 4 - 'Up And Away' - the British Model Flying Association Approved Flying Training Manual for R/C Power Flying
Connect directly to the BMFA to download your personal copy of this authoritative manual. Established over eighty years ago, the BMFA is the governing body for model aircraft flying in the UK and nobody knows more about every facet of model airplanes.

FREE Bonus # 5 - Electric 'Up and Away' - the 'electric' version of the British Model Flying Association Approved Flying Training Manual for Electric Powered Radio Controlled Model Gliders.
The BMFA manual that covers the specifics of electric flying. Connect directly to the BMFA to download your free copy.

FREE Bonus # 6 - Model Aircraft: A Guide to Safe Flying. The UK Civil Aviation Authority Civil Air Publication 658.
You might not realise it but your fun hobby of flying small objects around the sky is governed by national regulations, very probably by national laws and probably managed by the Civil Aviation Authority of your country. Connect directly to the UK CAA to download your copy of the guidance issued by the UK CAA, Safety Regulation Group. It may be different in your country but this is a great guide to the link between the lawmakers and us funseekers.

So check it out today, and get out on the runway with you and your daughter(s) tomorrow!

Model Airplane Secrets.

Powder Puff Pilot Unveils Second Children’s Picture Book

For over 40 years, the media has bombarded girls and women with destructive image indoctrination. It's more prevalent than ever now. You can't open up your email these days without seeing some picture of an overweight woman and an ad for some kind of diet product, for example. God forbid that a woman should be even 5 pounds overweight...oh, the horror! (Yet guys can have guts hanging out over their pants, and hey, that's fine.)

It's more important than ever to have good role models from an early age - whether it be real pilots or fiction pilots.

Here's a book for little kids that provides such a role model. Even if it is a bear!

Here's the press release:

Storybook Aviatrix Recounts her First Solo

July 21, 2009, Aurora, Colorado – Powder Puff Pilot—a Denver-based web retailer that specializes in designing and selling products targeted to female pilots—announced the debut of its second children’s picture book, Claire Bear’s Fist Solo, written by Sue Hughes. The colorful, 40-page, soft-cover storybook features a pink-clad aerobatic pilot named Claire Bear (Ursus Aviatrix), who shares the trepidations and thrills of the first time she ever flew by herself—an event that every pilot remembers.

"The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration:" July 27 -August 2 at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Hughes will unveil her newest children’s book at EAA’s AirVenture, billed as "The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration," held from July 27 through August 2 at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She’ll be stationed at AirVenture’s Author’s Corner for 6 days of the 7-day event and is scheduled for storytelling sessions on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Claire Bear’s Fist Solo is also available for purchase at www.PowderPuffPilot.com with shipments going out starting August 3.

"I created Claire as my company’s spokesbear to give more visibility to women in aviation," said Hughes, the owner of Powder Puff Pilot, which publishes her children’s books. "One of the missions of Powder Puff Pilot is to make aviation more appealing to girls and women. I’d like girls to know from an early age that there’s a place for them in the cockpit, in the hangar, and in the tower."

The Claire Bear children’s book series also helps pilots share their world with their kids or grandkids in a fun way. In the series’ first book, Claire Bear presents the phonetic alphabet that pilots use on the radio (Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, etc.). “The alphabet is something kids can relate to,” said Hughes, author of Claire Bear Presents… The Pilot Alphabet, which debuted in November 2008. “When I take young kids for a flight, the pilot alphabet is what they remember weeks later.” The follow-on Clair Bear’s First Solo introduces aviation lingo such as “traffic,” “tower,” “hold line,” and “throttle;” providing a starting point for discussions with children about flying.

Both books feature color-rich, whimsical illustrations by Wang DaiYu of International Illustrators.

“My next book, which is still in development, is Claire Bear Explains… What Pilots Fly,” said Hughes. “It describes the many different types of aircraft that pilots fly—from balloons to seaplanes to jet fighters. Like the previous two books, it’s written in lyrical rhymes, which I always found enjoyable to read aloud when my kids were little.”

Powder Puff Pilot was founded in 2008 by Sue Hughes, who is also the author of This Day in Women’s Aviation, a page‑a-day calendar [HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! ed]. Powder Puff Pilot also carries books for adults that are written by or about women pilots, a T-shirt that explains Why Women Prefer Airplanes (to men), a pink pilot’s logbook, and other products for women pilots—past, present, and future. For further information or to order Powder Puff Pilot products, visit www.PowderPuffPilot.com or call toll-free at 888-801-6628.

Treating girls and women like capable individuals

My trek from Cheyenne, WY back to Yorktown, VA has begun. On the way, I'm listening to Robin Bailey reading my favorite Agatha Christie novel, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. On occasion, I stop it and listen to Christian radio. I'm an atheist, but I just find it interesting to listen to these shows and the things they say.

Today I tuned in to this radio show: http://www.whitsend.org/

Not sure what the grandpa type character Whit does, but he's got a young teen named Connie and a young Teen named Eugene working for him. He pays Eugene three times as much as he pays Connie. The plot of the story was that someone wanted to blackmail him for being a male chauvanist because he pays the girl less than the boy.

Well, turns out the reason he does that is because he wants to start a college fund to send the girl through college... so he takes two thirds of her pay and puts it aside in a college fund! This is supposed to be a surprise for her.

And the girl listens to this and says, "Oh, Whit, I'm so grateful and so embarrassed."

And I'm thinking, wait a minute. *You're* starting a college fund for her, yet you're taking *her* money to do it? Without consulting her about it? As if she can't make her own decisions?

Hardly an inspiring story, I thought.

How vomitable

Just saw a commercial for a movie called Labor Pains, starring Lindsay Lohan. Plot is that she works at a publishing firm, and is about to get fired because of cutbacks. But when she lies and tells them she's pregnant, all of a sudden she's not going to be fired, and of course everyone in the office starts treating her with kid gloves, ya da, ya da.

I just wanted to throw something at the TV.

In a way it's true, though. Company tries to fire a pregnant woman for cause, and all hell will break loose. "How can you fire her, she's pregnant!"

I can just see today's impressionable girls seeing how this woman gets all this extra-special treatment because she's pregnant, and decide to get pregnant themselves so they can get a little unconditional love.... before the kid actually arrives and they have to deal with diapers and food and crap like that when they can't even afford to keep themselves...