North Jersey Chapter of the 99s
International Organization of Women Pilots

The Daily Record

Aspiring Pilots Get "Bird's Eye View" of Flying

BY LANI BUESS
DAILY RECORD
Saturday, April 1, 2007

Toy airplanes lined the discussion panel table at the 18th annual Student Pilot Forum sponsored by the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots at the County College of Morris on Saturday morning. --- ASHLEY TWIGGS / DAILY RECORD

RANDOLPH -- About 50 people had their heads in the clouds at County College of Morris Saturday morning.

The group of men and women attended a student pilot forum headed by the North Jersey Chapter of Ninety-Nines, Inc., an international nonprofit organization founded by 99 women licensed pilots.

The forum, which was open to the public, provided those with an interest in aviation, as a hobby or career, the steps needed to obtain a private pilot license.

"There's more to flying than just finding the right flight instructor," Nancy Ahlers, a chief pilot at Best in Flight Aviation in Morristown, said at the start of the program.

The program was intended to "give you a bird's eye view on what it's like to fly," Joanne Campbell of Oakland, treasurer of the North Jersey Chapter, said of the event. "It's a good ice breaker into what you're doing."

Ground instructor Angela Kovacs, a manager at Air Fleet Training Systems at Caldwell, discussed the three examinations required to obtain a license; FAA controller Gary Evenson of Morristown Airport schooled folks on runway courtesy; state attorney He-sung "Rocie" Park talked about filing insurance claims; private pilot Carol McCloud relayed her personal flying experience; and Denville-based medical examiner Dr. Gilbert Mandel touched upon the physical examinations needed to obtain a pilot's license.

"Because if you don't pass the medical, you won't be able to fly, no matter how good you are,"Mandel said.

All panelists were diehard flying fanatics and told student pilots what to expect during training.

"When I give you an exam and ask questions, I'm evaluating your judgment and pilot command skills," designated pilot examiner and panelist Peggy Naumann said. "You're taking big steps getting your license and I want to make sure you're safe."

The event also provided student pilots the opportunity to meet the panel speakers, discuss shopping for a flight school, and find out the ins-and-outs of ground school and air traffic control. About a dozen student pilots attended.

Carol McCloud, a new private pilot, speaks about her love and motivation for flying. --- ASHLEY TWIGGS / DAILY RECORD

"It was good to see the air traffic controller, the instructors and medical examiner and get a different viewpoint," said John Young, a County College of Morris student and the Ninety-Nines 2007 aviation scholarship recipient.

The event also was intended to pique women's interest in flight.

"When the Ninety-Nines originated in 1929 only six percent of pilots were women," Campbell, a pilot for the past 12 years, said. "In 2007, it's still six percent."

The Ninety-Nines, Inc. is made up of 5,500 women licensed pilots from 35 countries. The organization was named for the 99 chapter members who held their first meeting at Curtiss Field in Valley Stream, N.Y., in 1929. The group's primary mission is to advance women in the field of aviation and provide encouragement and mutual support.

Though geared to women, the organization provides three $2,000 scholarships yearly to women and men interested in pursuing the field.

Marion Starer of Montville, chair of the North Jersey Chapter, was a recipient of a scholarship six years ago. Now, she flies at least three times a month and personally owns a Cessna 172 single-engine plane.

"Flying is the most phenomenal thing to man," Starer said. "It's certainly thrilling. It makes you realize how incredible the universe is."

While flying isn't a typical pastime, it's in Starer's blood. Her father was in the British Royal Air Force and was a squadron leader during World War II. But it wasn't until after supporting her husband through college and raising her children did she take up the airborne activity.

"America is truly the land of opportunity," said Starer, who has lived in several other countries. "You wouldn't have the opportunity to do this somewhere else."

Lani Buess can be reached at (973) 428-6614 or lbuess@gannett.com.