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Daran Goodsell
Chico
Air Show
(530) 898-6785
DLGoodsell@csuchico.edu
AIR SHOW TO RETURN TO CHICO
IN SEPTEMBER 2010 FOCUSES ON WOMEN IN AVIATION AND FEATURING THE CANADIAN
FORCES
SNOWBIRDS JET TEAM!
(CHICO, Calif.) – Gayle Womack has announced that
the annual Chico Air Show will return this summer to the Chico Municipal
Airport! Come out and see “Jets Galore and More” on
September 24, 25 and 26!
Highlighting this year’s air show will be a thrilling aerial
performance by the nine jets of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds Jet Team. Other performers include up and coming female
pilot Melissa Pembeton, Kent Pietsch with the world’s smallest “carrier
landing,” a jet powered car, Warbirds, a parachute team, military
demonstrations, static displays and several flybys.
The Air Show will also be hosting various food vendors,
souvenirs, a Kid’s Zone full of fun for the kids, and the ever comfortable
Flightline Club with food catered by the Sons of Italy. This year’s air show will begin with a Friday
night twilight performance which includes an evening of catered food and music
at the Flightline, as well as a preview of the aerial warm ups.
This year Chico will play host
to the only jet demonstration team coming to Northern
California, with a performance by the Canadian Forces
Snowbirds. This performance marks the 40th
anniversary of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds taking to the skies. This jet demonstration team is returning to Chico after a highly
successful performance here in 2008.
At the Air Show will also have various opportunities for
everyone in the family to find something they can enjoy! Not only will the Air Show host the only jet
demonstration team to visit Northern California but this year also marks the 100th
anniversary of “women and flight!”
Celebrating “women in aviation” this year is especially
exciting because the Snowbirds Lieutenant Colonel Maryse Carmichael is the female
officer leading the jet team!
Born in 1971 in Quebec City, Quebec,
Lt. Col Carmichael became an Air Cadet at the age of 13. Once old enough, she enrolled in the Canadian
Forces in 1990 and upon completion of her pilot training in 1994 Lt. Col.
Carmichael earned her pilot’s wings.
Lt. Col. Carmichael became a flight instructor with 2 Canadian Forces Flying
Training School after
earning the prestigious pilot’s wings.
Recently, after coming off of maternity leave this mother of two was
promoted to the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron’s Commanding Officer where she
leads the Snowbirds in their enthralling air demonstrations.
Although Lt. Col. Carmichael will not be flying with her
team this year at the Chico Air Show, the Snowbirds will still dazzle us with
their heart racing performance! The
Chico Air Show will also be welcoming the youngest female performer on the United State’s
Unlimited Aerobatic Team, Melissa Pemberton.
Pemberton takes to the sky performing daring maneuvers that you would
have to see to believe!
June 22, 1984 Pemberton was born and soon after
began her love for flying and aviation.
Pemberton’s act is one of high intensity and energy packed tricks that
will leave the audience wanting more!
While studying Aeronautical Science and Mathematics at Embry
Riddle Aeronautical University Pemberton’s love for the sky evolved into a
lifestyle. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
native was also featured in the “Stars of Tomorrow 2005” where she was only one
of three pilots asked to demonstrate her talents.
After being featured in the “Stars of Tomorrow 2005”
Pemberton started to compete in the Unlimited level where she received first
place in her first competition of the season!
Later in the same 2006 season Pemberton became the youngest female to become
a member of the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Team.
These amazing feats that both Lt. Col. Carmichael and
Melissa Pemberton have achieved prove that women continue to prove valuable
assets to aviation. In fact, women have been participating since 1911.
In that landmark year for women, Harriet Quimby became the
first woman in United States
history to receive her pilot’s license in 1911.
To amaze the country and world further, in 1912 Quimby was the first
woman to fly across the English Channel.
Following these remarkable achievements, Amelia Earhart became
the first woman in history to fly a transatlantic flight alone. Nancy Roman a Ph.D. at National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) became Chief Astronomer in 1960. Five years later in 1965, Marjorie R.
Townsend became the first woman to ever manage a U.S. spacecraft launch.
From
1911 to the present, women have been making their mark on the aviation
world. Occupying various careers in
aviation, women continue to strive for excellence. Come see women strive even
further this year at the Chico Air Show September 24-26!
Major sponsors of the Chico Air Show include: Northern
California National Bank, STOTT and the City of Chico.
Tickets are available at Northern California National Bank,
CostCo, Raley’s, the Chico
Air Museum,
and the Chico Chamber of Commerce. You
may also visit the Chico Air Show website to purchase tickets or for further
information at www.chicoairshow.org.
For further information,
contact:
Daran
Goodsell
530-898-4324
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