How did you celebrate your New Year?
December 31st, we created miracles at Renton Airport. We flew 109 women today. 45 yesterday. Add that to our previous 225--- Oh wow.
Be it by skids, floats, or wheels--- 379 women took to the sky at Renton Airport. Did we make the world's most female friendly airport? We'll know on January 6th when the final results are in. If we didn't, we absolutely made the world's most inspirational airport. I have never seen more dedicated men and women coming together for the love of an industry.
Smiles were Priceless
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| Alyssa, Sarah, and Rachel |
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| Stephanie Varnadore |
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| White duck flew. Yes-she's a girl! |
There is no way I can post all my incredible pictures here, so they will be on Face Book. Miracles don't happen without good people. And good people came out of the community. We had so many people jump in and help today, I wish I had pictures of them all.
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| Jay our First Flight of Today |
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| Jen, Theresa White, and working hard in the background-- Mireille. |
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| Ruth, Megan, Katie, Jen |
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| Austin and our future Astronaut! |
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| Karen freezing on the dock |
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| Ruth fabulous loader |
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| Mark and his ladies |
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| Joyce Takes the youngest lady. May is yet to be born |
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| Austin creates more smiles! |
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A very special thanks to Greg Baker at
Classic Helicopter He donated his helicopter, and three hours of flying to our cause. A very special man, who made dreams come true. The helicopter flight was the hit of the day. Thank you Greg!!!
So many more thanks, for so many people. Where do I begin? They kept everything running smoothly. Organized. Loaded people. Bought pizza and soda. Brought me chocolate. Theresa, Kandyce, Snoviah, Anne, Ruth, Katie, Janice, Dan Pooke, Dan Hammes from ERAU, Austin, Jay, Shad, Shad's dad Gary, Karen, Mark, Joyce and of course Mireille-- miss
Centennial Of Women Pilots herself. Thank you all so very much for your help. Without you-- and our helpers and pilots from
December 30th and
December 5th we could not have sparked the dreams of so many.
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| Mireille... The Woman Behind it All! |
And who got to take the final flight? I did! Thank you Shad for your patience and willingness to guide me to a safe landing in a Cessna 172. I hope you all made it to your helicopter flight on time.
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| Marcela, Victoria, and Veronica |
31 years ago I stood on this exact ramp preflighting my cessna in pursuit of becoming a pilot. Today--- 31 years later on December 31st, 2010, I took to the sky to share the dream of flight with Victoria and Veronica. I think I may have been the last person of 2010, who took two knew women to the sky.
What a way to end the year. But a funny thing happened on our flight around the pattern--- Scheduling called! I'm on my way to Amsterdam and Bombay today.
May the new year bring great joy, love, health, happiness and the gift of flight. Happy New Year Everyone! Thank you all for making dreams come true.
Enjoy the Journey in 2011!
XOX Karlene
What an excellent way to spend New Years eve! All those smiling faces look like dreams come true to me. It's so inspiring! But oh no, Amsterdam?! So soon after you got home!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I had SO much fun. Thank you a million times!
ReplyDeleteHi Heather. It was an amazing day. The funny thing is... technically I've only had one day off. But we flew two. I think this officially counts for a layover at home. Happy New Year. I'm looking forward to San Diego.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous... You're welcome!
ReplyDeleteIncredible experience for all your women fliers, Karlene, and so cool that you got to have Mireille there with you. Amsterdam and Bombay, wow. Enjoy the flights is all I can say.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Karlene! We rush off so fast last evening that I did not have a chance to wish you and all the many people you cherish a wonderful 2011.
ReplyDeleteFabulous helicopter pilot, Amanda, was patiently waiting for us. The flight along the shoreline of downtown Seattle and around the space needle was fantastic! What an unexpected and perfect way to end 2010.
Have a safe flying trip!
We had a fabulous time, thanks so much! My daughter (of the White Duck) talked about it all day yesterday, even telling the entire waiting room of people all about it at dinner. Her best little friend was skeptical today--"You went in a REAL helicopter? For REAL?"
ReplyDeleteThanks so much to you and everyone else!
Thanks so much Karlene! I've been hearing rave reviews from friends who went on Friday! My girls and I enjoyed flying with Jay on Thursday! I wanted to tell him thanks but with the car seat fiasco, didn't get a chance. Can you please on my appreciation to him?
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda, it was truly amazing. That's the only way to describe this event. But then, you know!
ReplyDeleteMireille, you were rushing off to a great event! And, I am so glad you all got to take flight in the helicopter. The view at night must have been spectacular! An excellent way to end 2010. And you will never forget what you did on that date either.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Erin, Thanks for the comment. Your daughter and white duck are now being circled via the internet. Doubt that she flew--- And some doubt white duck's authenticity of being white. But we know the truth. A lucky little girl took flight and white duck is well loved. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteEpiphius, you are so welcome! And not to worry. All worked out. I will tell Jay thank you for you. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThat's incredible - so many women! Special thanks to the pilots...(so much gas $$)
ReplyDeleteYea!! I'll keep my fingers crossed that Renton wins!!
Thank you Kathy! We need fingers crossed. And you bring great luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, my family (all 7 of us!) had an amazing time! My 3.5 yo daughter, Mabel, keeps talking about it and saying her favorite part was going "up,up,up!" and her least favorite part was going "down,down,down." We got 4 generations of us up in the air too!
ReplyDeleteIt was an amazing day and an honor to be a part of it. Loved every minute and can't wait to get involved more. I'm so excited to meet you Karlene.n - Jen
ReplyDeleteSara, you-- all seven of you-- are so welcome! 4 generations. That is amazing! Maybe Mabel will fly one day on her own.
ReplyDeleteJen, Thank you so much for all your help. It was so great to meet you, and I know we'll do more again soon.
ReplyDelete