Sport Pilots, Aerobatic Pilots, And Former WASPS Will All Be
Attending
The California Capital Airshow (CCA) will celebrate of the
Centennial of Women in Aviation at Sacramento Mather Airport (KMHR)
this weekend. CCA would like to invite the public and attendees of
the show to meet the amazing women that will be celebrating this
honor at the 2010 Airshow. "We are honored to share these
remarkable women as they will leave an impression that will last a
lifetime,” said Darcy Brewer, executive director of the
California Capital Airshow, in making the announcement Wednesday.
“All of these women are remarkable in their own way and a
true inspiration to others.”
Be on the look-out for a young lady at the show sporting a
baseball cap and sunglasses with long dark hair and an infectious
smile. You might also notice the fact that she does everything with
her feet, as she was born without arms. Her name is Jessica Cox,
and she’s an FAA-certified sport pilot. Jessica’s story
personifies the dedication, innovation, and pioneering spirit that
women have brought to the aviation industry.
Jessica Cox
Another woman that will be present at the show is LT Meagan
“Vargas” Flannigan. She was the last female to be
qualified to fly the F-14 Tomcat before the aircraft was retired
from service a few years ago. She is now an instructor pilot at
Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, and teaches students how to fly and
fight with the F-18 Super Hornet.
The youngest female team member ever to join the United States
Unlimited Aerobatics Team will take to the skies over the weekend.
Melissa Pemberton’s air show routine is high energy and
action packed! She is an inspiration to young people and women
across the world showing them that no dream is too big and nothing
is impossible.
WASP Wings
From 1942 to 1944, more than 1,000 women were trained to ferry
aircraft, test planes, instruct male pilots, and tow targets for
anti-aircraft artillery practice. The women came from all
socioeconomic backgrounds: teachers, nurses, secretaries, factory
workers, waitresses, students, housewives, debutantes, and
actresses. They were, and still are, known as Women Airforce
Service Pilots (WASPs) and the California Capital Airshow is
fortunate enough to have several of them in attendance.
These are just a few of the women that will be representing and
celebrating the Centennial of Women in Aviation this year at the
California Capital Airshow.