The Women of Vintage Air

Female pilots who fly vintage aircraft are few and far between.

Meg Godlewski

Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 12:09 PM ET

Verified

The 1931 Student Prince takes flight. [Courtesy: Summer Martell]

Key Takeaways:

The article highlights a special cadre of women, including Summer Martell, Jan Johnson, and Heather McNevin, who are passionately involved in owning and flying vintage aircraft, a domain traditionally male-dominated.
Their attraction to these older machines stems from a desire for a visceral flying experience, an appreciation for classic aesthetics and design, and a profound connection to aviation history and legacy.
Aspiring vintage aircraft owners are advised to conduct thorough research into maintenance and costs, seek specialized training (like tailwheel endorsements), and actively engage with the vintage aviation community.
A key motivation for these women is to act as "stewards of history," preserving the aircraft's stories and sharing the unique magic and mystique of vintage aviation with others.

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Ever taken a look at the names of aircraft owners in the FAA’s registry? You can’t help but notice that apparently men outnumber women significantly. This feels particularly true when you look at the ownership of vintage aircraft—a term used to describe any aircraft certified before 1955.

While there are women out there who own and fly these pieces of aviation history, they create a special cadre of pilots.