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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 spotlights a select group of women pilots who own and fly vintage aircraft (certified before 1955), a demographic traditionally dominated by men.
  • Featured pilots like Summer Martell, Jan Johnson, and Heather McNevin are drawn to vintage planes for the visceral flying experience, their historical significance, and the unique connection they offer to aviation's past.
  • These women emphasize the importance of thorough research, proper maintenance, and sharing the history of these "old machines" as a "steward of history" 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.

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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