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Current Activities
With the expansion of our Section membership, new ideas, new challenges, new
activities have constantly fed new life into the Section.
Over 25 years ago, Charlene Falkenberg began putting together and publishing
Waypoint, our Section newsletter. Waypoint has become the Section pipeline
keeping all chapters informed. Through Waypoint, ideas are shared, new projects
and a healthy competition has developed which keeps us moving at a really fast
pace.
We still have
air races, flight breakfasts, poker runs, mystery flights for
fun and to keep us in the air and our flying skills honed; but, the Section's
contribution to education and
safety has been outstanding in the past ten years.
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Air Marking
Air marking continues to interest many chapters. This is evidenced by all the
newly painted airport signs and compass roses one sees during cross-country
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Volunteerism
The Section continues to support the
National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) with funds and active participation in
the events as judges, time keepers, and so forth. Programs to which members
donate their time and aircraft for charitable causes are flying daffodils for
the American Cancer Society, flying blood for the
American Red Cross, corporate
Angel Flight Network
and
Life Line pilots providing transportation for persons in need of
medical attention, flying donated medical supplies to Mexico and other
countries.
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Awards
The Section offers three awards each year, and
nominations are due near the end of March so the awards can be made during
our Spring Meeting. The
Governor's Service Award was created to honor Ninety-Nines who
exemplify our mission and have provided continuous service to the
Ninety-Nines organization.
The
Spinning Prop
Award recognizes the NCS member who logs the most general
aviation hours in a one-year period. This award was created to encourage
and promote more flying by our members.
The
49 1/2 Award
was created to honor those who support the members of the Ninety Nines
whether it be actively with the chapter or individually by doing something
as simple as letting out the dog and fending for themselves over the weekend
while the Ninety Nine is attending a Ninety Nines activity. |
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Education
Pinch Hitter Courses teach non-pilots to navigate and even land
an airplane in emergencies.
Flying Companion and
Project Aware Courses are given to persons who travel
routinely with pilot friends and welcome instruction on what keeps the airplane
in the air, the use of radio equipment, the secrets of navigation, and some
hands-on experience with the controls.
Air Bears is a project designed to provide very young children with information
about aviation and explain the various careers connected with aviation.
For older children and young adults, Ninety-Nines participate in school
Career
Days with displays and presentations.
Airport tours and
tower tours further acquaint teachers, students, scouts with
general aviation's place in the community.
Nearly all chapters sponsor at least one
Safety
Seminar during the year, not just as special events but on a regular basis.
These seminars provide refresher courses for VFR and IFR flight rules and
regulations. Many Ninety-Nine Flight Instructors donate their time for
Biennial Flight Reviews for our members, as well as other groups.
Aerospace Education programs and conferences are new areas that have caught
the attention of many chapters. They strive to promote awareness and
understanding through the schools, scouting programs and the general public.
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Frank G.
Brewer Memorial Aerospace Award
As a result of the above activities, North Central Section was awarded the
1990 Frank G. Brewer Memorial Aerospace Award in the Organizational
Category. The Brewer Awards are presented in honor of Frank G. Brewer, Sr., to
commemorate his lifelong interest in aviation, youth, and education. Frank
Brewer was a successful businessman from Birmingham, Alabama, of unusual
foresight, who envisioned that aviation and space exploration would have a
dramatic impact on our world.
Lt. Col. Frank G. Brewer, Jr., established the Brewer Awards after his
father’s death to recognize individuals who have contributed most on an
unselfish basis to the advancement of youth in aerospace activities.
Major Meese, in her nomination of the Section said, “It is clear that
educational endeavors of the North Central Section of Ninety-Nines are on-going,
far-reaching, widely varied, and outstanding. Their educational programs are
directed toward support for aerospace awareness and understanding for pre-school
through college/university students and general public audiences.”
That statement really says it all. However, if you look at your Chapter’s
scrapbook and the scrapbooks of other Chapters, which are displayed at Section
meetings, you will see for yourself history in the making.
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A lot has been accomplished in the past ten years; but, for the North Central
Section, the sky’s the limit. Watch for the next ten-year update; we may be
writing from a space station or the moon!
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NCS Activities