Dana’s Epic Oshkosh Summer Adventure, now with 18 states!
The mission of The Ninety-Nines is to promote the advancement of aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support while honoring their unique history and shared passion for flight.
Letter from the Chair[Chairman’s Message]
By Dana Davis
What I did on my summer vacation--AKA my Epic Oshkosh Adventure!
If I told you what I did on my summer vacation, you might think I was recounting a tall tale—it sounds like quite a story even to me, and I was there!
On Monday, July 18th, I pre-flighted my Grumman Cheetah and took off for Fox Field(KWJF) in the Antelope Valley. Not long into the trip, I had the first of many“firsts” on the trip when I saw lightening in a storm in the distance. This trip reminded me that flying is all about decision making, thinking on the fly, and knowing and sticking to your personal limits. With a little help from ATC and a diversion, I was able to safely avoid the storm and arrive at my destination to meet up with my travel companions, Wolf and Bert. Shortly thereafter, two Grumman’s took off from Fox Field on our National Park Tour—Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches.
Dana in her Grumman Cheetah
Lined up with the Cherokees to Osh
Over the next few days we flew over 9 states, landed in four and arrived in Wausau, Wisconsin at KCWA on Thursday. While this should have been enough on it’s own, it was just the precursor to the main event—flying the Cherokees to Osh Mass Arrival(they include Grumman’s). Yes, I flew to Oshkosh, to EAA Airventure, on my summer vacation, in formation with 40 other airplanes. If you had told me two years ago that I would/could do this, I would have thought you were dreaming. I suppose that is the power of aviation and flight dreams, and what you can do with the support of friends and mentors like those I have in the 99s.
Dana and Tim, ready to take off
Dana and Cindy Aulbach, Cherokees to Osh Lead Pilot and 99 from South Carolina
Lined up, ready to go
Liz Ruth with Dana
Susan Steeb, Janice Odell, and Theresa Theiler, local 99s, and Carlee Szarek also flew from San Luis Obispo and participated in the Bonanza’s mass arrival to Oshkosh. Jolie Lucas made several presentations at Oshkosh and was in the announcer’s booth for the Mooney’s Mass Arrival. Liz Ruth, SLO 99 and NASA pilot, served in the NASA tent and spoke on panels during the week. All of these women have served as inspiration to me, and probably others as well. I’m thankful to have role models in the 99s who willingly share their experiences so I can think more broadly about what opportunities are out there—there are so many more paths than I would ever think of on my own.
Eventually, my husband Tim(not a pilot, yet) caught up with me and hopped in my right seat. After drinking from the fire hose for three FULL days at Airventure, we flew via the Chicago-Lake Michigan coastal VFR Flyway to Indiana. After a whirlwind visit with family and friends, we headed west, for a similar trip home. Until we saw the writing in the weather reports, storms ahead, and changed our route…Louise Thaden Field(KVBT- Bentonville, Arkansas) and Grand Canyon, here we come! On August 6, 19 days after I took off from KSBP, having flown over 18 states, we landed back in beautiful, sunny, San Luis Obispo. That is the story of what I did on my summer vacation--my Epic Oshkosh Adventure!
Dana in her Tiger: Chicago-Lake Michigan coastal VFR Flyway to Indiana
Well, most of the story. Five days after arriving home, Grace Crittenden and I hopped in her Cessna 172 to fly in the Palms to Pines 2022 Air Race. But, that’s an Adventure story for another day…
Pilot Proficiency Workshops
Now, September is almost here and it’s time for back to school. WINGS over SLO: Pilot Proficiency Workshops to be exact. The SLO 99s are hosting VFR, IFR, In-Flight Emergencies, and Engine Maintenance seminars on September 17. Our goal is to encourage continued learning and offer an opportunity to build community with fellow aviation enthusiasts while raising funds for flight scholarships. We hope you will register to attend the workshops(https://wingsoverslo.eventbrite.com/) or sign up to volunteer(https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AABAB28A0FBCE9-wings) to help during the workshops.
Letter from the Chair [Chairman’s Message]
SLO 99s Monthly Meeting