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 Calendar
Chapter Activities: NY-NJ Section Meetings: Safety Meetings: Special Events:
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Officers:
Chapter Chair:
Sandra Brown
Vice Chair:
Jan Flansburg
Secretary:
Jan Sarbou
Treasurer:
Jutta Dudley
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About Our Chapter
The Finger Lakes 99s, a chapter of The Ninety-Nines, International Organization of Women Pilots, was officially chartered June 20th, 1973. Meetings are usually held in the Landmark Aviation conference room. The address is 1265 Scottsville Rd., Rochester, NY 14624. Meetings may also be held at other airports in the area during the summer months. Check our calendar for details.
Currently we have 10 members, including student pilots in the Future Women Pilot In keeping with the general requirements of The Ninety-Nines, Inc. regular members are required to be engaged in flight training or hold a Private Pilot certificate. We also have many "friends" who are either in other aviation groups or just love aviation in general. Our friends are always welcome at every Finger Lakes 99s event and meeting.
An interesting fact: Both women Space Shuttle Commanders, Eileen Collins and Pam Melroy claim our upstate New York area as their hometown.
Blanche Stuart Scott (1885-1970)
Blanche Stuart Scott lived much of her life in Rochester, NY. On Sept 6th, 1910 she became the first American woman to solo an airplane. She was taught to fly by Glenn Curtiss in Hammondsport, NY in a Curtiss Pusher. Nicknamed the “Tomboy of the Air” Blanche was a unique and daring woman. She went on to become an exhibition pilot, making as much as $5000 per week as an aviator. Blanche was the first American woman test pilot for Glenn Martin in 1912 in California. She was never officially licensed as a pilot, but this was not unusual as flying was still very new to this country in 1910.
Her refusal to pay heed to a “woman’s place” in society at the time, helped to open the door for future women wishing to pursue their love of aviation. However, little is known or published about Blanche's life and achievements.
The Finger Lakes 99s are currently involved in education and research regarding Blanche's contribution to aviation as well as re-creating her flying costume. A permanent display was created for the main terminal at the Greater Rochester International Airport. This was put in place on March 15, 2007.
Blanche Stuart Scott was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in October 2005.
Blanche in front of the Curtiss Pusher
Blanche receiving instruction from Glenn Curtiss
This site was updated: 9/27/08 @ 21:30Z
Marcia K.Gitelman, Webmaster
