From Laura….

Heather and I built a metal notebook yesterday demonstrating skills needed for basic metalwork required with building your own plane. The pics and videos will be used at Oshkosh this year in the metal working for women workshop!

Per Karalyn:

97.5 hours over 9 days and we built our 39 Bard Balloons hopper envelope. Will, Echo & I will leave WI with a new balloon named Bruce. I knew we would do it, even if I didn't know exactly how. With the help of Jeff & Kaylee, Kaden, Zach, Andy, Robert & Pete, and visits with Kurt & Sarah & family and Don - we got to work. Jessica & Nathan opened their home to work in and we stayed at Dave's while he was enjoying sunny FL. And Nathan, the Sweatshop boss, man with the plan, ever patient teacher/sewing machine repairman and great friend. Words can never express our gratitude.

RHS Member Tina who recently soloed, got to sit in our local Sheriff’s Office Helicopter, RAVEN!

Several RHS99s attended the Pathways to Aviation presentation by Eileen Collins!

Tonight RHS 99s and friends met with a local meteorologist, who is also a pilot, for a discussion about weather! Thanks to Angela for making the connection and arrangements!

Aviation Aces: A Friendship and Fundraiser Adventure

As a passionate pilot, the news of winning the 2023 scholarship from the Santa Rosa

99s for my Multi-Engine rating was a dream come true. It came with an unexpected

invitation: an exclusive opportunity to attend their annual fundraiser where they would

announce their endowment of the scholarship.

I couldn’t wait to share the news with Angela, my dear friend and fellow 99s pilot. Turns

out she has family in Santa Rosa. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to extend an

invitation. If you know Angela, you also know her signature call sign “I am in! ” Less

than a week later we took to the air for Santa Rosa and represented our Reno High

Sierra 99s Chapter.

Opting for the skies over the roads, as expected, because, really, who needs a car

when have access to airplanes? Angela flew a Piper Cherokee from Carson (KCXP) to

Auburn (KAUN), where we rendezvoused for our journey to the Charles Schultz Airport

(KSTS) in Santa Rosa. We rented a stealth Piper Arrow II from my flight school

“Sunshine Flyers”. The anticipation of sharing the skies together and experiencing this

adventure got us both super hyped.

The flight to Santa Rosa was a breeze. Angela manned the star ship which gave me the

chance to soak in the spectacular sights of the Sutter Buttes and Lake Berryessa. With

her at the controls I had a front row seat to nature's beauty. It reminded me how

fortunate I am to experience mother earth from the sky on a regular basis.

The fundraiser itself was a whirlwind of excitement. Loads of cool stuff up for grabs at

the silent auction such as; wine, books by Charles Schultz, Snoopy swag and tastings.

The local breweries and wineries brought their goods and made the night taste just

right. The drinks at the bar (maybe a little bit too strong) added some serious fun! The

Tacos Del Pepe food truck parked outside the hangar provided the perfect fix to soak

them up. The highlight was undoubtedly the poker tournament fundraiser. The prize? A

thrilling ride in the legendary P-51!

Despite Angela and I not doing too well in the poker games, the atmosphere was filled

with positive vibes and camaraderie. Meeting other inspiring female pilots, each with

their unique stories and experiences, left us awestruck and captivated.

After an eventful night and spending time with Angela’s family we woke up with

nervous anticipation of foggy weather. We got lucky! Clear skies, and a departure time

of 7am led to the most beautiful morning flight.

Reflecting on this adventure, it wasn't just about winning a scholarship or attending a

fundraiser - it was about making new friends, securing the bonds of old, the shared love

for aviation, and the inspiring encounters with incredible women in the field. As we

soared through the skies we realized these moments are the true treasures of the

aviation journey.

Our 99’s visited Biggest Little City Flight School Open house

My fellow aviatrices, I present Tara T., freshly minted private pilot! Congratulations!!!

RHS99s celebrated Tara passing her check ride yesterday at our monthly business meeting.

Below you can find some of our canine members who are generally the center of attention: Rembrandt in the foreground and Rio snoozing in the background.

Last night RHS 99s met at Peggy’s beautiful south Reno for a meal jointly prepared under the watchful eye of our PIC, Rhonda. We started with a gorgeous charcuterie board, followed by a roasted butternut soup with cranberries and pecans, mixed green salad, and then lemon herbed chicken with roasted root vegetables. For dessert, we had a peach upside-down cake with Grand Marnier. Everyone had an amazing time! In addition to our members, we had 49.5s, (Jeff, Mike, Rick, Bobby join us) and the Chapter’s 49.5, Jere! We might have also talked Peggy’s daughter to switch to our Chapter….

Per Stacie: Nothing like flying with your girlfriends! Boots (Colleen) and I went to pick up Leah in Concord CA today. It was just perfect weather and a smooth flight. Left Nevada all bundled up- got to Concord and we were sweating! I love cross country flying!

Congrats to Ann, who passed her check ride today and became a private pilot!!

Don’t we all wish we were Leah today? She commuted from KCXP to KCCR, by plane for work, which is FAR superior than commuting by car. Especially when you bring friends with you, like 49.5 Jere, and fellow RHS 99 Stacie!

This past weekend Heather and Dani flew to Columbia for breakfast and stopped by the local fall craft festival that included period soldiers marching the Flag!

Congratulations to Colleen for hitting 300 hours!!

Stacie and Tara we’re out and about enjoying the blue skies!

Most of us have something aviation themed in our homes; a framed solo shirt, artwork, or a prop. This past weekend Dani attended an aviation themed wedding!!

Leah logged time today in the company plane! (We’re all happy and jealous!)

Karalyn’s flying in New Mexico, a whole group of RHS 99s are flying in Texas, and Christine was flying today in California with a student.