Who we are
Stephanie has been a pilot for 32 years. She grew up around airplanes and always knew she would have a home in the sky. She has owned many planes over the years since learning to fly in Tucson, Arizona, Currently she has a Cessna 182 which she flies on occasion to commute to work when doing contracting out of town as a chemotherapy nurse. Her favorite plane is whichever one she is flying at the time! Her favorite places to fly are all in the southwest - Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley and especially the VFR corridors of the Grand Canyon. She has competed in the annual Palms to Pines Air Race where she received a plaque for " Best Second Leg", and came in a respectable 4th place in the Cactus Derby in 2006.
Jay is an graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, where she both earned her flying licenses and met her husband. She is a VERY lapsed CFII but hopes to soon be behind the yoke again, this time with her 4 year old daughter as co-pilot. Her favorite plane was a J-5 Cub ,60hp, that had issues climbing more than 200 feet above the ground and flew the shortest pattern you've ever seen.
From a very young age, aviation has always been an interest of Emily’s. The spark began when she traveled on a commercial airplane from her home in Wisconsin to Orlando, FL. The interest developed into a passion. Emily graduated from the University of Minnesota- Mankato with a Bachelors Degree in Aviation Management. She began her flying career flight instructing in Minnesota then moved to Oregon. Emily enjoys teaching and was a factory CFI for Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing. She is proficient in all Garmin panel mount avionics as well as the Avidyne Entegra glass cockpit. She has approximately 1500 hours with 1000 hours of instruction given. Emily has been recently promoted to Sales Support Manager for Columbia.
Wendy has been interested in flying since the age of eight when her father earned his pilot's license and took the family on several trips around California and let Wendy sit second seat. Her mom jokes that she was more comfortable with Wendy at the controls than her dad. Sorry dad. Wendy started on her own license when she was in college but alas ran out of money and decided she could wait. Well, it took another twenty years but she obtained her license Fall of 2006. Flying is strictly a hobby for Wendy as she is a Realtor for Palmer Homes in beautiful Bend, Oregon. Wendy's favorite plane is her husband Tony's RV 7... and low and fast is her favorite way to fly just about anywhere.
Cynde has been a member of the Ninety-Nines for about 10 years. She and her husband Steve are new residents to Central Oregon. Retired from the hi-tech business, they moved here from, where else, southern California where they learned to fly back in the early 90s’. Initially flying a Cessna 182, then a TR182-RG, they now have a new red and white Columbia (Lancair) 400 which they love. It allows them to make the trip from Redmond back to see their friends in Camarillo in just over 3 hours!
When Judie's father learned that her husband was taking flying lessons he said to her "you learn to land that thing!" Judie started her flying lessons in the fall 1995 at the FBO in Bend, which was called The Flight Shop and earned her Private Pilot License the following summer. Judie has owned several single engine aircraft and currently owns a twin engine Piper Turbo Aztec. In June of 2006 Judie earned her multi-engine instrument rating. She was the first recipient of the Central Oregon Chapter of the 99's scholarship award. Flying is a joy for Judie whether it is a flight of fancy or commuting for work. Flying is something that she strives to always do in a professional manor. Each Airplane that Judie has had the pleasure of flying is a joy and each one that she has earned a rating in holds special memories from the 152 that she soloed in up to her Aztec. One of Judie’s favorite places to fly to is Auburn CA where they have a fun restaurant on the Airport.
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will
always long to return." - Leonardo da Vinci