Sara Ruiz got to fly in a helicopter with Dianna Taylor Stanger on her birthday!

Calhoun Air Center (CAC) flew over two hundred ladies in honor of Women of Aviation Worldwide (WOAW) Week. The week started off strong at the CAC location in Victoria with several Girl Scout troops taking their first flight!

A highlight of the week was Thursday, March 7th, the cadets of Air Force JROTC VCAL, TX-956 flew with flight instructors; Erin Hayes Michael and Tom Keane Victoria Regional Airport (VCT). This was their first time to fly in a single-engine airplane.

Words from the cadets, “What an awesome experience! We had an amazing flight and the pilots were very nice.”

“What a great opportunity to have our female cadets have a great experience sponsored by the Calhoun Air Center and its staff,” said Lt Col Roy D. Gonzales.

“Flying with AFJROTC cadets was an amazing experience,” said Chief Flight Instructor Erin. “I was privileged to be able to touch the lives of young ladies with aspirations similar to my own especially honoring Women of Aviation Worldwide Week.”

While the weather prohibited flights on Saturday at Calhoun County Airport the pilots were able to fly over one hundred girls at Victoria Regional Airport. The girls walked away smiling and with an unforgettable experience. Both Sara Ruiz and Maria DeSoto celebrated their birthday with a helicopter ride!

Sunday afternoon turned into a gorgeous day to fly. Airport manager, Dianna Stanger flew nearly fifty ladies in a Eurocopter 120.

Calhoun Air Center continues with their mission to introduce our youth to aviation. Many of the WOAW participants were surprised to see three female pilots flying: Stanger, Michael and Joyce Wilson. Stanger and Wilson will compete in the all women air race, The Air Race Classic, in June.

The crew will now await the results of the Fly It Forward Challenge which is hosted by WOAW; results will be announced in April. In 2011, Stanger walked away with the title of ‘Most Dedicated Female Pilot in the World.’ CAC is competing for: Most Female-Pilot-Friendly Training Center Worldwide,’ ‘Most Dedicated Female Pilot Worldwide’ and ‘Most Supportive Male Pilot Worldwide.’

Make sure to check out www.calhounaircenter.com for updates and if you flew during WOAW look for your photo online at https://www.facebook.com/calhounaircenter. Till next time!

The cadets of Air Force JROTC VCAL, TX-956 flew for the first time at the Calhoun Air Center location in Victoria, Texas during Women of Aviation Worldwide Week with flight instructors; Tom Keane and Erin Hayes-Michael!