Lake Erie Chapter: Founded January 12, 1974
The Lake Erie Chapter of The Ninety-Nines was chartered on January 12, 1974, with 39 members. Lake Erie 99s was formed with the blessings and help of sister chapter All-Ohio 99s. Lake Erie 99s grew and reached a membership of 65+. Determining that the geographic area was rather large for ease of attendance by all members, another 99s chapter called Women with Wings was formed by those who lived in the central portion of Ohio. Lake Erie members presently come from the counties in the northeastern portion of the state, with Cleveland as the center of our activities.
Lake Erie 99s members are women who share a common goal of flying, mentoring and supporting others in their flying activities. Our members include licensed pilots and those who are working toward their license. The experience is on a continuum from student pilots to a, FAA Master Pilot, and a WASP from WWII. Ratings and certificates earned by our members include student pilot, private, instrument, commercial, helicopter, CFI and CFII and ATP. One member is a US Army Reserve Major who served in Desert Storm. Several of our members belong to the Civil Air Patrol. Lake Erie has working instructors, a helicopter pilot, glider pilot, glider instructor, two FAA Aviation Safety Counselors, members of the staff of the International Women’s Air and Space Museum, members who participated in the Air Race Classic, The Buckeye Air Rally, plus women who fly for work and simply for pleasure. Members without medicals continue to serve as navigators, co-pilots, enthusiasts and passengers. Membership backgrounds are varied as we have a bookbinder, engineers, nurses, medical technicians, CPA’s, corporate pilots, commercial pilots, mothers, domestic engineers, a crisis counselor, a lawyer, physician, real estate agents, a veterinary assistant, a business customer relations worker, a computer programmer, a procurer, and a purchasing agent.
The Chapter is involved in a wide range of aviation activities from flying air races to fly-ins, events promoting women’s aviation, supporting Young Eagles flight events, aviation education, and meetings. Lake Erie Members assist as judges, timers, hostesses, stop-chairman, ground operators and do other jobs in various air races, rallies, and competitions. We co-sponsor “Wings” Safety Seminars with the FAA, present aviation programs to groups of children, and air mark airports, with the airport name and/or compass rose. We set up booths at air shows and fly-ins to attract new members, to spread the word about our mission, and to sell aviation items to support chapter activities. We mentor our pilot members to apply for scholarships, including the First Flight and Amelia Earhart Scholarship of the national Ninety-Nines Inc. International Women Pilots Association, towards earning additional ratings. Each October, we recognize excellence in our midst via the Achievement and Pilot of the Year awards annually at our Pilot of the Year celebration banquet.
Lake Erie Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, established January 12, 1974