About
The Reno High Sierra Chapter of The Ninety-Nines, Inc., was founded by 15 women pilots in 1989. The chapter belongs to the Southwest Section of the 99s, which includes Chapters from Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. Today, the chapter members include private pilots, certified flight instructors, commercially rated pilots and women simply flying for the sheer joy and pleasure of it all. Many members have also earned balloon, glider and seaplane ratings.
We are involved in various community events and endeavors locally and fund annual aviation scholarships for women with our fundraiser efforts. Community service and activities include:
Reno National Championship Air Races Booth Sales Work Fundraiser
Airport Airmarking
Since our charter in 1989, our chapter has raised over $120,000 for Aviation Scholarship Awards for Women & the building of an endowment fund for future scholarships
Donated over $10,000 to 99s International
Raised funds through sales on our Mission Fish eBay site (now closed)
Wrapped 4,674 packages in our AMAZON Fundraiser
Wigwagging for dollars at Hot August Nights (traffic direction volunteering)
Anything flying oriented and fun!
To Join the Reno High Sierra 99s:
You must be a member of the Ninety-Nines! To join the Ninety Nines, click HERE.
When you fill out your application to join, select the Reno High Sierra Chapter.
Requirements to join the Ninety-Nines are that you must be a female and you must be a pilot, or student pilot.
To become a student pilot, you’ll need to apply with IACRA (FAA) for your student pilot certificate. Follow this guide.
You’ll need to meet with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) to sign you off.
If you need a Flight Medical, you can find an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) by clicking HERE.
Current Officers
cHAIR
Rhonda DeGarmo
Rhonda started flying June 5,1979 in Burbank,Ca. She learned how to fly in a Piper Cherokee and earned her private pilot certificate on January 23,1980. She also earned her instrument and glider ratings. Rhonda has always flown for fun. Life got in the way and Rhoda took a break from flying for a while. 3 years ago Rhonda went to Oskhosh, which gave her the flying buy again. She rejoined the 99’s in October after a 25 year break….
When Rhonda’s not gliding or flying with friends, she’s painting beautiful pieces of aviation (and other) artwork, chauffeuring Rembrandt her semi famous dog, or out on the ski slopes.
Vice Chair
Stacie Goodwin
Stacie served as the RHS Treasurer for the last two years and we’re excited to have her as our Vice Chair. Stacie earned her PPL in May 1995. Despite her love of aviation, life interfered with her flying and has had a successful career in accounting for 25 years while raising her family. She returned to aviation in 2022 and earned her instrument and commercial licenses. Stacie is is an advanced ground instructor and working on earning her CFI by the end of 2024! Stacie loves connecting with other pilots (and 99s) and credits the the Reno High Sierra 99s as being, “an inspiring group!”
SECRETARY
Chelsea Borowski
Our Secretary became a private pilot in June 2024 and an advanced Ground Instructor in July 2024. She hasbeen in education for the last 10 years and is currently a principal of an elementary school. (This makes her especially qualified to work with Pilots in our humble opinion.) Chelsea’s flying aspirations are to become a flight instructor and combine her love of teaching and flying. Regarding the 99s, Chelsea had this to say, “I appreciate the 99s and their support, knowledge, and camaraderie.”
Treasurer
Laura Starkey
Laura has her father to thank for her passion of flying that he passed down during her upbringing. He was a Naval Aviator in WWII and just loved to fly! Laura began her quest for her PPL back in 2005 flying her husband's 1948 Stinson taildragger. After getting just over 30 hours of flight time, which included 4 solo flights, she abandoned her passion realizing that working full-time and only being able to fly once every one to two weeks was not a good recipe for completing your PPL . In December 2017, Laura retired and moved to the Dayton Airpark; the time had arrived to finish her training and get her PPL! Laura and her husband bought a Cessna 172 for training purposes and by June of 2018 she passed her PPL checkride! 49.5 Jere Marble was her instructor and told me about his lovely wife who was involved with the RHS 99s . Laura had to be a 99 and had known a few members from when she lived in Placerville. KayLynn (Jere’s wife - Blue Skies Kaylynn) brought her to one meeting and she was "hooked"! What a wonderful group of ladies! Since that time, Laura and her husband built their own RANS S-21 that they fly named "Tin Lizzy".
Past Chair
Heather McCoy
Heather McCoy has spent the last thirty five years living in Nevada after graduating from Colorado State University with a BS degree In Physics. She took her first introductory flight in ninth grade and visualized becoming a professional pilot. 38 years is a long time to wait to finally achieve your dream job, but between family, careers and life that is how long it took before reaching her goal. Prior to her current position, she had previous charter experience flying Phenom 100’s and 300’s. Living on an airpark with a Piper Dakota in the hangar keeps her busy when she isn’t skiing and hiking in the Sierra Mountains.
