RHS Members Christine and Angela flew to Santa Rosa 99's Annual Fundraiser

Aviation Aces: A Friendship and Fundraiser Adventure

As a passionate pilot, the news of winning the 2023 scholarship from the Santa Rosa

99s for my Multi-Engine rating was a dream come true. It came with an unexpected

invitation: an exclusive opportunity to attend their annual fundraiser where they would

announce their endowment of the scholarship.

I couldn’t wait to share the news with Angela, my dear friend and fellow 99s pilot. Turns

out she has family in Santa Rosa. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to extend an

invitation. If you know Angela, you also know her signature call sign “I am in! ” Less

than a week later we took to the air for Santa Rosa and represented our Reno High

Sierra 99s Chapter.

Opting for the skies over the roads, as expected, because, really, who needs a car

when have access to airplanes? Angela flew a Piper Cherokee from Carson (KCXP) to

Auburn (KAUN), where we rendezvoused for our journey to the Charles Schultz Airport

(KSTS) in Santa Rosa. We rented a stealth Piper Arrow II from my flight school

“Sunshine Flyers”. The anticipation of sharing the skies together and experiencing this

adventure got us both super hyped.

The flight to Santa Rosa was a breeze. Angela manned the star ship which gave me the

chance to soak in the spectacular sights of the Sutter Buttes and Lake Berryessa. With

her at the controls I had a front row seat to nature's beauty. It reminded me how

fortunate I am to experience mother earth from the sky on a regular basis.

The fundraiser itself was a whirlwind of excitement. Loads of cool stuff up for grabs at

the silent auction such as; wine, books by Charles Schultz, Snoopy swag and tastings.

The local breweries and wineries brought their goods and made the night taste just

right. The drinks at the bar (maybe a little bit too strong) added some serious fun! The

Tacos Del Pepe food truck parked outside the hangar provided the perfect fix to soak

them up. The highlight was undoubtedly the poker tournament fundraiser. The prize? A

thrilling ride in the legendary P-51!

Despite Angela and I not doing too well in the poker games, the atmosphere was filled

with positive vibes and camaraderie. Meeting other inspiring female pilots, each with

their unique stories and experiences, left us awestruck and captivated.

After an eventful night and spending time with Angela’s family we woke up with

nervous anticipation of foggy weather. We got lucky! Clear skies, and a departure time

of 7am led to the most beautiful morning flight.

Reflecting on this adventure, it wasn't just about winning a scholarship or attending a

fundraiser - it was about making new friends, securing the bonds of old, the shared love

for aviation, and the inspiring encounters with incredible women in the field. As we

soared through the skies we realized these moments are the true treasures of the

aviation journey.