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The Women of Vintage Air

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

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

Key Takeaways:

  • The article celebrates a unique group of women pilots who own and fly vintage aircraft, sharing their deep passion for aviation history and the distinct experiences these machines offer.
  • Featured pilots such as Summer Martell, Jan Johnson, and Heather McNevin describe a profound connection to their aircraft, from the visceral joy of flying open-cockpit biplanes to preserving military history and acting as stewards of aviation's past.
  • These women offer practical advice for aspiring vintage aircraft owners, emphasizing thorough research, diligent maintenance, specialized training (like tailwheel endorsements), and active engagement with the vintage aviation community.
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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.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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