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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), acknowledging their significant but less common presence in a traditionally male-dominated field.
  • Through profiles of Summer Martell, Jan Johnson, and Heather McNevin, it reveals their profound personal connection to aviation history, the visceral joy of flying these machines, and the responsibility they feel as stewards of these historical artifacts.
  • Common advice from these pilots for aspiring vintage aircraft owners includes thorough research, seeking mentorship, getting proper training, and committing to diligent maintenance to preserve these unique pieces of aviation heritage.
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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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