99s Members: Doris Abbate

Doris Abbate decided to learn to fly in 1959, following in the footsteps of her husband, Ronald, who had earned his pilot's license.She had four children (three toddlers and an infant) before learning to fly.

She took lessons in a J3 Piper Cub at Zahns Airport in Amityville, Long Island. She earned her private pilot's license in 1960, flying her ownTripacer. (She would go on to earn her commercial, instrument and instrument ground instructor ratings.).

She joined the Long Island chapter of the 99s in 1961. Over the years she served as Treasurer of the Chapter, and chaired several committees.

She was a contestant on the All Woman Transcontinental Air Races (AWTAR, aka Powder Puff Derby) between 1961 and 1967. One of her most exciting experiences was when she earned the Tail End Tony Award in the 1964 race. She had to make two emergency landings in the race, and still finished the race within deadline. She was honored with a medal for a safe forced landing.

She also participated in the Air Race Classic and the Garden State 300, took first place in the USPFT New England REgional, and advanced to the USPFT National Finals in 1985.P> Also in 1985, she served as the judge for the World Precision Flight Championship and the US Precision Flight Team. Bibliography
History of the Ninety-Nines, Inc.: 1929-1979, published 1979
The Ninety-Nines: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, published 1996