Meteorologist for KCBS and 1st Lt in the California Army National Guard flying Blackhawk helicopters, Jessica Burch joined us yesterday at our Marin 99s meeting. We did our usual individual introductions and aviation updates around the room, starting with Jessica. What a super story!! Marielle and Madison finally made it in after the layer burned off between Angwin and Gnoss. We had a great group yesterday, well representing our broad range of aviatrixes (age and experience), from beginning students to those who have retired their wings and goggles. We all have our exciting stories to share. Amazing group and great energy when we all get together.
Below: Cindy Pickett, former Chair of the Marin 99s, Jessica Burch and Sue Royce, current Chair of Marin 99s.
Last Saturday, Susan Hollander and Sue Royce joined a few women pilots from the Santa Rosa 99s chapter for a challenge flight up to Shelter Cove organized by Nancy Hayssen and her father, Art. Marielle Coeytaux and her co-pilot, Maxine, participated, but flew from Angwin and directly over STS to join us at Shelter Cove. We were given 20 locations to identify on the way up to 0Q5 from STS. Honestly, who could ever get tired of flying up the California coast. We are so lucky to live here!!
Maddie came to the Marin 99s back in 2018 and really wanted to learn to fly. I took her up in my Cherokee 180 (see selfie of us below), and let her fly. She was hooked. After that, her mom and I talked about the different college aviation programs and she ended up choosing Southern Utah University. Maddie now has over 1,250 hours and is a flight instructor at the same University she got all of her rating at, in a Cirrus no less. This is Maddie’s e-mail to me a couple of days ago:
Hey there Susan!
This is Maddie Schwarz, it’s been a while since I’ve last checked in with you and wanted to share my adventures! I was reminiscing about passing my Private pilot checkride as I start applying to corporate pilot gigs. Thank you for taking me up in a plane for the first time, it was a daunting path I had ahead of me that didn’t seem possible when I first began but I can now say my past self would be so proud and I owe it to you.
Here’s where i’m at; I’ve been instructing at the University I gained all my ratings at for about 2 years now and recently hit 1,250 hours (even though I only needed 1,000, but I love my job!). I’ve been having a blast and have recently taken up spin and tailwheel training.
I’m looking into corporate opportunities and I have a few ideas in mind long term.
I’ve attached some photos below; one of the planes I teach in (citabria), my favorite picture of Kolob Canyon covered in snow, and finally where it all began 😉.
Let me know how you are doing! And any fun happenings on your end, I’d love to meet up next time i’m in town to catch up more :). I don’t use this email so much anymore, here’s my new one and phone number so we can keep staying in touch!
Margy Boyle recently volunteered as a pilot for Sonoma Jet Center’s first Challenge Air event. They provided food music, games/activities, but best of all, flights for children with special needs. The children would walk down a red carpet lined with Star Wars figures and receive a chart of the flight, wings and certificate after their flight.
Per Margy, the two best lines of the day. In the air, every time we hit a small bump, my cute little copilot kept saying ”drive careful, drive careful” His mother later said he tells her that all the time. Also, right after we took off, I heard the father say “no son, we aren’t going to the moon”.
Unfortunately, the only photo we have of Margy is one that the parent took from the back seat of her Cessna and it is of the back of her head. But we know that is Margy.
For more heartwarming photos of the event, click on this video link below:
Marin County 99s 