Jerry Teitsma — Emily Howell Warner well known in aviation circles
To the Editor:
I am one of the pilots at the Granby Airport, I would like to encourage the renaming of the airport to include Emily Warner's name.
As a pilot, I have nothing to gain by this renaming. However, as a pilot, I am more aware than general citizenry about the nature of her accomplishments.
Much as Hank Aaron broke the color barrier in baseball, Emily broke down barriers to become the first female captain of a major airline. It was not easy — it took persistence and a thick skin to thrust herself into a man's world. Today, female pilots have a much easier time.
She is known and respected nationally for her accomplishments but just as importantly, she is well known within the Colorado and Granby pilots associations. If not Granby, I predict that her name will be used to honor another airport in Colorado.
But, why not Granby? This has been a home to her for many years and I suspect that she is as close to a national aviation hero as Granby will ever have.
Denver airport, DIA, is named after Jeppesen, a man who pioneered the printing of navigation aids for pilots in the early years. Chicago O'Hare is named after Butch O'Hare, a famous military aviator. Kremmling Airport is named after McElroy for his generosity with land donation for the airport.
Let's not lose this opportunity to add Emily Warner's name to the Granby Airport's name. It would be an honor for Granby and for Grand County.
Jerry Teitsma, RRC, RRO, CCCA
Granby
and this article from KOLD news also talks about Emily Howell Warner:
Want to fly? Tucson Ninety-Nines make it happen
Want to fly? Tucson Ninety-Nines make it happen
Posted: Mar 12, 2010 10:19 AM EST
Updated: Mar 12, 2010 12:42 PM EST
By Scott Kilbury – email
Emily Howell Warner knows her way around an airplane.
The part-time Green Valley resident has been flying planes more than 50 years
"I remember being 18 years old and riding in my first plane," Warner reflected. "I asked the captain if I could go up in the cockpit and they let me.. and it hit me ‘This is it!'"
Everyone who knows Warner know her as Captain Emily. Some even refer to her as a living legend of aviation. In 1973, Warner became the first female commercial pilot in the world when she took over the controls for Frontier Airlines.
"It's hard to believe," Warner admitted. "The first year was very difficult. I wasn't very popular. It took about a year for acceptance. It seemed to bother the flight attendants the most and I thought that was interesting."
Another hurdles for Frontier wasn't If Warner could take off in an airplane but what she would put on.
"They asked me what I was going to wear," Warner said. "I told them the pant suit was in fashion why not use it and add some stripes?"
It was only a matter of months before the other airlines and military followed suit and allowed women in the cockpits. Women were allowed to pilot military planes but not go on missions.
Warner gives some of the credit to the Ninety-Nines, a women's international organization of licensed pilots, in helping her cause. Now she helps mentor aspiring pilots.
"I like seeing others break in the business like I did," Warner said.
The Tucson Ninety-Nines awards scholarships to women getting their pilot licenses. This Saturday they're holding their biggest fund raiser. They're offering 20-minute plane rides for 15 cents a pound per person.
Juliana Rose Teal is the chairman of the local Ninety-Nines chapter, "This weekend is very important for our organization," she said. "Our scholarships depend upon it."
Jennifer Treese received one of those scholarships. She works at the Marana Airport while picking additional flying hours. "The number of women pilots is increasing," Treese said. "The scholarships the Ninety-Nines are giving out helps them."
"We hope plenty of people come out for a ride and they eat a nice big meal beforehand so they really tip the scales."
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