Do you secretly dream of being Amelia Earhart? Saturday, Sept. 21 is a chance for girls and women to enjoy a complimentary flight aboard a private plane.

Enjoy a girls’ day at the Military Aviation Museum (MAM) on Saturday, September 21, from 10 a.m.. to 2 p.m. The purpose of this event is to educate and spread awareness that women can achieve a career in aviation.

The volunteer members of the organization Women Can Fly are passionate about exposing the world of aviation to women of all ages.

"We are pilots and aviation enthusiasts who know the exhilaration of flight, the joy of discovering new horizons, the friendships born of shared visions, with the hope that more women will fulfill their dreams by joining us.”

—Women Can Fly

"I believe that a girl should not do what she thinks she should do, but should find out through experience what she wants to do." —Amelia Earhart (Photo Courtesy of Pinterest)

The Day’s Details:

The day begins at 10 a.m., however, I suggest you arrive early, so you can sign up on the waiting list for the complimentary flight! Online registration ended in April; therefore, the flights are given on a first-come, first-served basis. I know you and I don't want to be at the end of that list!

Of course, there is always paperwork my friends, especially since we are flying. Therefore, I strongly recommend you click here for the detailed, mandatory, pre-day requirements.   

Every hour, beginning at 10 a.m., a pre-flight briefing will be held by a licensed pilot, who will describe how planes fly, provide important safety rules, and give you a walk around the plane so you can become familiar prior to take-off. I’m getting excited already; I just wish those cool pilot uniforms were part of the program! 

Don’t worry. While you’re waiting for your turn to take that ride in the sky, there are so many things to do—all aviation. 

"Meet & Greet" the Women of Aviation:

The women from different specialties of the Women Can Fly organization will be available and eager to speak with you about obstacles they’ve overcome and what led them into the field, as well as answer your questions, no matter how old you are. These women are here to encourage you to fly or pursue a career in aviation.  If that is your dream, the sky’s the limit. 

Military Aviation Museum (MAM):

Courtesy of Pinterest

I decided to take a drive over to the museum to gather more details about Women Can Fly Day. It really is quite a nice drive. The MAM is privately owned and has an amazing collection of WWI and WWII planes, most of which still fly. The collection includes the Fieseler Fi 156, which was used to liberate Dictator Mussolini from capture at the Campo Imperatore Hotel in 1943. I found that particular plane to be quite fascinating for some reason.

The docents are very knowledgeable about every plane and happy to provide a full history of each one. Also, there is a flight simulator where you climb in the tubular contraption and "fly" a plane—it is super cool. The event also includes watching WWII combat planes flying through the air. 

Women Can Fly started these events in 2013 with co-sponsors the Ninety-Nines, Inc. (the International Organization of Women Pilots), Virginia's Department of Aviation, and the participating airports.

"It's not enough to tell girls they can be anything. They need to learn about how other women became pilots, and see the world around them reflect that aviation is for girls too."  

—Women Can Fly 

WWII Women Airforce Service Pilots WASP (Courtesy of National Archives)

Did You Know: 

• Women make up only seven percent of the pilot population, according to the Women Can Fly organization. Can you believe that? That is why these events are so important.
• The Ninety-Nines Organization was named in 1929 because there were 99 women pilots at the time, according to their website. 
• Amelia Earhart was the first president of the Ninety-Nines, elected in 1931.

Details: 

WHEN: Saturday, September 21 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
WHERE: Military Aviation Museum | 1341 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23457
COST: Rates (Family members of pre-registered guests are granted complimentary admission to the museum for the day)

I hope you enjoy an unforgettably fun girls' day! Take a nice drive out to the country—the local farmers still have their fruit and vegetable stands open, so you can stock up on some fresh fall veggies. And after your fun day of all things aviation at the museum, stop off at the Bee & the Biscuit for a delicious brunch; the food is divine. Hopefully I will see you there!

Do you plan to attend? If you do make sure you share your photos on social media and tag us at #OCN!