WHAT: Open to the public, Planes of Fame Air Museum (Chino, CA) presents a special event. The topic for the March 21 event is ‘Women in Aviation', featuring a speaker panel of distinguished women pilots, including Iris Cummings Critchell, talking about the history and contribution of women in aviation.
WHO: Iris Cummings Critchell - Though heading toward aeronautics from a early age, Iris Critchell also was a swimmer and a member of the U. S 1936 Olympic Swimming Team to Berlin,( competing in the 200 m breaststroke. She was U. S. Champion in this event 1936-1939).
Iris started flying in 1939 at Mines Field (now LAX) as a Sophomore at USC in a Piper J-2 Cub planes. She finished the Private Pilot and Advance...d Acrobatic Courses in Waco bi-planes in 1939 and 1940 on the first Civil Pilot Training. Program at the University of Southern California. Graduated from USC in Physical Sciences and Mathematics in 1941.
In 1941 taught on the Civil Pilot Training program at Brackett Field in La Verne, and in 1942 for the Navy Cadet program for Stockton Junior College at Carson City, Nev. Dec 1942 Iris reported to Houston for Army Air Corps training and was then assigned to the WAFS, (Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron) later known as the WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots).
Until Dec. 1944. she served as a civilian ferry pilot with the Army Air Corps, Air Transport Command , 6th Ferrying Group at Long Beach. During this time, Iris ferried more than 25 types of military airplanes as pilot in command including each of the WW II trainers, P-47 Thunderbolt, P-40 War Hawk, P-39 Air Cobra, P-51 Mustang, C-47 Transport, B-25 Mitchell, A-20 Havoc, P-38 Lightning , and P-61 the Black Widow.
From 1946 -1948 for the University of Southern California College of Aeronautics at Santa Maria, Iris developed the curriculum, taught the classes for Primary, Instrument, Commercial and Instructor courses, and gave all the Instrument Flight Instruction in Vultee BT-13 trainers.
From 1950 on she flew in the All Woman Transcontinental Air Race ( Powder Puff Derby) 15 times .Placed 1st in two and in the top ten places seven times.
In 1961, Iris and her long time pilot husband were asked by Isabel Bates to establish a special aero program for the Bates Foundation for Aeronautical Education. Iris developed this unique program to use the airplane as an educational tool for enhancing the total education of three age groups of young people. Junior High, High School , and College. The College age program began at Harvey Mudd College in 1962.
From 1962-1990 Iris has served as Director of the Bates Foundation's Aeronautics Program, as Lecturer in Aeronautics on the Harvey Mudd College Faculty, and as Chief Flight Instructor for the Flight Training phase of the program. The College's alumni and graduates of this program now include many distinguished scientists, aero engineers, aerospace researchers, and two astronauts.
In faculty Emeritus status, Iris taught Aeronautics for six more semesters at Mudd and continues to assist on student aero projects. and serve as curator of the Aeronautical Library Special Collection at Harvey Mudd College.
National Honors include: In 1972 The Ontario (CA) FAA District named Iris Flight Instructor of the Year. Nov 10, 2000 she was inducted into the National Association of Flight Instructors Hall of Fame in an elite ceremony at Oshkosh, WI. Oct 7, 2006 Iris was honored by the FAA with the Wright Bros. Master Pilot Award. She was inducted into the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame 2-17-07. She was honored as an Eagle at the USAF Air University Gathering of Eagles at Maxwell Field June ’08; in 2008 the Federation Aeronautique International “ Nile Gold Medal” for her contributions to Aerospace Education; Flight Path Learning Center at LA Airport honoree 2-24-2013
She is a current pilot and holds many pilot ratings through Glider, Single and Multi Engine, Airline Transport and Flight Instructor ratings. She served as a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner for 21 years. A Ninety Nine for 62 years, a member of numerous aviation and professional organizations and is referenced in many books, oral histories. and documentary productions.
Elinor Otto - There is only one of the original "Rosie the Riveters" left. At the age of 95, Elinor Otto began her career in the aviation industry in 1942 during WWII and for 70 years she continued this work. Fifty of those years was spent working for Boeing, where she worked on all the USAF C-17 cargo planes, including the final one at Boeing’s Long Beach plant. Otto retired last November.
Otto has been featured on many interviews: Joan London, NBC News, Today Show, Ellen DeGeneres, others and in several magazines and newspapers. Her story is tremendously inspirational. The American Veterans Center honored Otto with the Lillian K. Keil Award for Women's Contribution to the Military.
Stay tuned for an announcement of other speakers. Kevin Thompson (POF Moderator and Aviation Historian) and Edward Maloney (Museum Founder & Curator, and Aviation Historian) moderate and join in the presentation.
WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 2015, 10am–12 noon: Special speaker program. Museum doors open at 9:00am.
WHERE: Planes of Fame Air Museum, 7000 Merrill Avenue #17, Chino, CA 91710
WHY: It is the Mission of Planes of Fame Air Museum to preserve aviation history, inspire interest in aviation, educate the public, and honor aviation pioneers and veterans. The Museum sponsors regular events in the form of inspirational experiences, educational presentations, flight demonstrations, and airshows in fulfillment of this mission. Planes of Fame Air Museum, ‘Where Warbirds Fly and Aviation History Lives’.
WHO: Iris Cummings Critchell - Though heading toward aeronautics from a early age, Iris Critchell also was a swimmer and a member of the U. S 1936 Olympic Swimming Team to Berlin,( competing in the 200 m breaststroke. She was U. S. Champion in this event 1936-1939).
Iris started flying in 1939 at Mines Field (now LAX) as a Sophomore at USC in a Piper J-2 Cub planes. She finished the Private Pilot and Advance...d Acrobatic Courses in Waco bi-planes in 1939 and 1940 on the first Civil Pilot Training. Program at the University of Southern California. Graduated from USC in Physical Sciences and Mathematics in 1941.
In 1941 taught on the Civil Pilot Training program at Brackett Field in La Verne, and in 1942 for the Navy Cadet program for Stockton Junior College at Carson City, Nev. Dec 1942 Iris reported to Houston for Army Air Corps training and was then assigned to the WAFS, (Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron) later known as the WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots).
Until Dec. 1944. she served as a civilian ferry pilot with the Army Air Corps, Air Transport Command , 6th Ferrying Group at Long Beach. During this time, Iris ferried more than 25 types of military airplanes as pilot in command including each of the WW II trainers, P-47 Thunderbolt, P-40 War Hawk, P-39 Air Cobra, P-51 Mustang, C-47 Transport, B-25 Mitchell, A-20 Havoc, P-38 Lightning , and P-61 the Black Widow.
From 1946 -1948 for the University of Southern California College of Aeronautics at Santa Maria, Iris developed the curriculum, taught the classes for Primary, Instrument, Commercial and Instructor courses, and gave all the Instrument Flight Instruction in Vultee BT-13 trainers.
From 1950 on she flew in the All Woman Transcontinental Air Race ( Powder Puff Derby) 15 times .Placed 1st in two and in the top ten places seven times.
In 1961, Iris and her long time pilot husband were asked by Isabel Bates to establish a special aero program for the Bates Foundation for Aeronautical Education. Iris developed this unique program to use the airplane as an educational tool for enhancing the total education of three age groups of young people. Junior High, High School , and College. The College age program began at Harvey Mudd College in 1962.
From 1962-1990 Iris has served as Director of the Bates Foundation's Aeronautics Program, as Lecturer in Aeronautics on the Harvey Mudd College Faculty, and as Chief Flight Instructor for the Flight Training phase of the program. The College's alumni and graduates of this program now include many distinguished scientists, aero engineers, aerospace researchers, and two astronauts.
In faculty Emeritus status, Iris taught Aeronautics for six more semesters at Mudd and continues to assist on student aero projects. and serve as curator of the Aeronautical Library Special Collection at Harvey Mudd College.
National Honors include: In 1972 The Ontario (CA) FAA District named Iris Flight Instructor of the Year. Nov 10, 2000 she was inducted into the National Association of Flight Instructors Hall of Fame in an elite ceremony at Oshkosh, WI. Oct 7, 2006 Iris was honored by the FAA with the Wright Bros. Master Pilot Award. She was inducted into the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame 2-17-07. She was honored as an Eagle at the USAF Air University Gathering of Eagles at Maxwell Field June ’08; in 2008 the Federation Aeronautique International “ Nile Gold Medal” for her contributions to Aerospace Education; Flight Path Learning Center at LA Airport honoree 2-24-2013
She is a current pilot and holds many pilot ratings through Glider, Single and Multi Engine, Airline Transport and Flight Instructor ratings. She served as a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner for 21 years. A Ninety Nine for 62 years, a member of numerous aviation and professional organizations and is referenced in many books, oral histories. and documentary productions.
Elinor Otto - There is only one of the original "Rosie the Riveters" left. At the age of 95, Elinor Otto began her career in the aviation industry in 1942 during WWII and for 70 years she continued this work. Fifty of those years was spent working for Boeing, where she worked on all the USAF C-17 cargo planes, including the final one at Boeing’s Long Beach plant. Otto retired last November.
Otto has been featured on many interviews: Joan London, NBC News, Today Show, Ellen DeGeneres, others and in several magazines and newspapers. Her story is tremendously inspirational. The American Veterans Center honored Otto with the Lillian K. Keil Award for Women's Contribution to the Military.
Stay tuned for an announcement of other speakers. Kevin Thompson (POF Moderator and Aviation Historian) and Edward Maloney (Museum Founder & Curator, and Aviation Historian) moderate and join in the presentation.
WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 2015, 10am–12 noon: Special speaker program. Museum doors open at 9:00am.
WHERE: Planes of Fame Air Museum, 7000 Merrill Avenue #17, Chino, CA 91710
WHY: It is the Mission of Planes of Fame Air Museum to preserve aviation history, inspire interest in aviation, educate the public, and honor aviation pioneers and veterans. The Museum sponsors regular events in the form of inspirational experiences, educational presentations, flight demonstrations, and airshows in fulfillment of this mission. Planes of Fame Air Museum, ‘Where Warbirds Fly and Aviation History Lives’.
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