The Ninety-Nines, Inc., International Organization of Women Pilots, has announced its selection of the aviation and aerospace professionals who will carefully choose The Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Fund winners for 2005. The judges are:

SARAH FERGUSON, THE DUCHESS OF YORK

The Duchess of York, formerly Miss Sarah Ferguson, learned to fly a Piper Warrior in 1987, achieving her Private Pilot's license. In November of that same year she earned her helicopter rating. The Duchess of York enjoys a diverse and successful international career as a commercial spokesperson, author, public speaker, and is an international supporter of children's charities.

CAPTAIN ELIZABETH A. NEEDHAM

Captain Needham is an Airbus A320 Captain with Air New Zealand, and holds ratings in the Boeing 737, 767, and 747 series aircraft, and a commercial helicopter license. She owns and operates the Ardmore Flying School that employs 37 instructors, and she enjoys flying her helicopter and either her Harvard or Beaver taildraggers.

CAPTAIN PATRICK H. SCOTTER (retired)

Captain Scotter became a DC-3 co-pilot with New Zealand National Airways at age 22 and flew the Fokker F27, Vickers Viscount, and Boeing 737. He progressed into international operations, flying the Boeing 767 and 747-400. His last ten years before retirement were spent as international captain, instructor, and flight examiner. He is also a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (A&P). He now enjoys flying his Piper Cub.

The 2005 winners will be honored at the 99s International Convention, August 21-26, 2005, Christchurch, New Zealand.

The Ninety-Nines established the Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Fund in 1940 to honor the memory and perpetuate the ideals and love of flying of their first president. The annual program has helped over 400 women from six countries to meet their aviation career goals. These scholarships are made possible by the generous contributions of Ninety-Nines members and the United Parcel Service Foundation.

FMI: www.ninety-nines.org/aemsf_judges.html, www.ninety-nines.org/aemsf.html