Martha Phillips, 71, Now Leading The Organization

The Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women licensed pilots, recently installed 71-year-old Martha Phillips of Newbury Park, CA as its latest International President.

The 5,000 member organization in headquartered in Oklahoma City. Its first president was Amelia Earhart.

The Ventura County Star reports that Phillips has been a long-time member of the organization, serving at various times a county chairman, secretary, and membership chair, along with numerous committees. She has served as governor of the Southwest Section covering five states, and co-chaired the international conference in Hawaii in 2010.

Phillips received her pilot certificate in 1987. She and her husband Art, who is also a licensed pilot, fly a Cessna 172 they've nicknamed "Bluebird" which they've owned for over 30 years. She told the paper that she really didn't intend to get a pilot's license, but wanted to be able to land the plane if her husband were to become incapacitated. But once she started to learn, she went on to earn her private pilot certificate.

Now, as International President of the Ninety-Nines, Phillips will fly across the country appearing at chapter meetings and other events. One of her first appearances as president was at AirVenture last week.

FMI: www.ninety-nines.org/