North Jersey Chapter of the 99s
International Organization of Women Pilots
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North Jersey Chapter of the 99s
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Home Newsletter Contacts About Us Education Air Bears Scholarships Activities Airmarking In the News 2007‑04‑18 2007‑04‑01 2007‑03‑31 2007‑03‑13 2006‑09‑09 |
AIR BEAR PROGRAM GIVES KIDS A LIFT! Of all the 99s' educational pursuits, the Air Bear program has to be one of the most fun. It provides a learning experience that teaches children in grade school about aviation and a lot more. Typically, with the cooperation of a school teacher, a chapter member takes an Air Bear to a classroom, where she introduces herself and the Air Bear to the children. She then leaves the Air Bear with the class for a few weeks, allowing the children to bond with it. Whenever a chapter member goes for an interesting flight, she takes the Air Bear along with her, taking photographs of the Air Bear at different locations. The Air Bear writes post cards to the children back at home, and the children usually write letters to the Air Bear. When the chapter member returns home, she takes the Air Bear back to the children, shows them the photographs of where the bear has been, and, using a map, points out the route that she and the Air Bear followed. The chapter member usually leaves the class with a scrap book containing photographs and other mementos of the Air Bear's travels. In this exciting program, children get to learn about geography, develop geometrical and mapping skills, enhance their reading and writing skills, and learn about the joy of flying! For more information about this program, please contact Jean Scibetta. 
Air Bears about to embark on an exciting voyage! For other aviation-relation activities for children, see the FAA's Kid's Corner, which provides many resources, including an Air Bear's coloring book. Letter from Crystal, the Air BearApril 17, 2007
Mrs. Gagliardo's Second Grade Class
It's me, Crystal. As you were enjoying your extended Spring Break due to the flooding of the Passaic River, I found myself at Newark Airport, waiting for a Continental Airline Flight to Daytona Beach, Florida. While I was waiting, I sat up on the Ticket Counter to watch all the people going by. One little boy spotted me and took me to the parked motor cart. He thought I was neat. We waited for about half an hour together before it was announced that we could board our aircraft. 
Daytona Beach was much warmer than New Jersey. There were palm trees and a huge stadium next to the airport. The airport was much smaller than the one at Newark, with only three baggage carousels. In only three days, I would be heading back to NJ. I honestly wished I was able to see the famous East Coast Beach, which is so hard that the sport of Motor Car Racing began right there on the beach. The cars raced on the beach and onto the street and then back to the beach for the finish. Today, cars are still allowed to ride on the beach. I found out that I would not be going back on a commercial flight, the way I arrived, but I would be co-pilot in a six-seat, Beechcraft Bonanza. I knew I would do well since I was well prepared with my helmet, goggles and scarf. 
Ms. Marilyn, the captain, took off at 7:00 am and fueled the airplane in Myrtle Beach, North Carolina, where everyone spoke with a southern accent. They were all so very nice. We took off from there and flew over the ships at the Norfolk Navy Base, then over Salisbury, Maryland and then over Millville, New Jersey. Just past Millville, we began to have some problems. We couldn't see through the windshield because we were flying through a snow squall, which put some ice on the wing. The pilot has flown through these conditions before and knew just what to do to get into better air. The pilot radioed to Atlantic City Approach and advised them that we would be landing at the Atlantic City Airport. It was a beautiful landing. After learning that the weather conditions were not to improve, it was decided that we would spend the night there and continue our flight into Morristown Airport the next morning. 
We stayed at a Casino, which is where many people play cards and spin the wheel. Atlantic City is on the beach in Southern New Jersey. It has a boardwalk and is famous for salt water taffy. We bought some for all of you to sample. I don't know which I like better, flying in a huge jet with lots of people, or flying in a small general aviation aircraft where I can ask a lot of questions.
Happy Spring!
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