Fran Airline Transport pilot; multi-engine land Commercial pilot; single engine land, sea Commercial pilot; balloon Commercial pilot; rotorcraft Flight Instructor; airplane single & multi-engine Flight Instructor; rotorcraft Flight Instructor; instrument Airplane Citation jet type rated
Matriarch of our chapter, life 99s member Fran started flying in December 1940 and has flown over 24,000 hours! During her long and storied aviation career she has been chief pilot for various aviation firms, charter pilot, flight operations manager, has owned and operated her own flight training school and aircraft sales business. She she was one of the first women to be designated as a FAA Pilot Examiner. An avid air racer, Fran has set an unequaled record as a seven time winner of the All Woman Transcontinental Air Race, placed second five times and has placed in the International Women's Air Race and has won the Palm to Pines All Women's Air Race in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Since 1966 she's held the world altitude record for class C-1-d aircraft, set in a Piper Apache. At the age of 70, Fran earned her a Citation Jet type rating and hasn't slowed down much yet. She is a seven-time winner of the All Woman Transcontinental Air Race (Powder Puff Derby). She is also a member of the Flying Octogenarian Club because she plans "to wear out, not rust out." Fran has been honored with many, many accolades including being inducted into the National Aeronautic Association, Women In Aviation, & San Diego Aerospace Museum Halls of Fame.
Our current chapter chairwoman has been a pilot since 2005 and has her tailwheel endorsement. She is working on advancing her certificates & ratings to the ATP. She has a Cessna 172 & 195 and is mom to a teenage daughter. She currently works for Aeronautical Radio- ARINC doing RVSM flights in Gulfstream or other business aircraft.
Dottie Airline Transport Pilot; Multi Engine land Commercial Pilot; Single Engine Land Instrument rated Multi-Engine rated CL-65 & SF340 type ratings Flight Scholarship winner AEMSF 737 Type Rating winner
Learned to fly at MYF in 1992. While flight training she was lucky enough to get two scholarships from the 99s to help with the Commercial and Multi-Engine as well as a $7,400 grant for a B737 type rating. She has worked in the airline industry her whole life, first cabin cleaning & baggage handling and now as an airline pilot based at ORD/Chicago.
Alena Private Pilot, single engine Instrument rated
In addition to having a busy law practice, chapter treasurer Alena is mom to three girls.
Connie Private Pilot, single engine land
Late aviation bloomer Connie got her Private Pilot at the age of 63. She lives on field at Gillespie/KSEE and flies a tailwheel as well as a Bonanza with her husband (as his "nag-avator") on air adventures all over the west. More about Connie
Joann Student Pilot
Joann is very excited to complete her Private Pilot very soon. She soloed this May and is flying out of Golden State Flying Club at Gillespie Field.
Jill Commercial Pilot; Single & multi engine land Instrument rated Certified Flight Instructor, ASEL & AMEL Flight Scholarship Winner
Jill became a pilot in 1989 and currently instructs out of Montgomery Field. She is a two time recipient of the 99s Amelia Earhart grant for her instrument rating and MEI. She is also flies with the Commemorative Air Force and is a flight attendant for Skywest Airlines.
Marie Private Pilot; single engine land Certified Ground Instructor
A recreational flyer, Marie also teaches ground school for a flight academy at Ramona Airport.
Mary Private Pilot, single engine
Mary has been interested in flying since she was a child. She traded two antique farm lanterns for her first flight lessons back in 1998 at Jefferson Airport in Colorado. Mary's aviation adventures, including the 2009 "Palms To Pines" Air Race with 99 Fran Bera, can be seen onYoutube. She is also an accomplished artist and professor of art at Cuyamaca College. She also sells flying themed items for women pilots thru Zazzle.
Diana Commercial pilot, single engine land & sea Instrument rated
Diana has competed in aerobatic flying as air races. She strives to be the best pilot she can be and simply loves the fun of flight.
Lisa Private Pilot, single & multi-engine land Instrument rated Citation Jet type rating
After pilot-husband Casey encouraged her to attend the AOPA Air Safety Foundation “Pinch Hitter Course” with a neighbor in early 2004, Lisa went on to obtaining SEL, MEL, Instrument, High Altitude & RVSM certification in 2005. Lisa flies the right-seat in a Citation V with her husband and has 1200 hours total time, 1000 turbine. She attributes her flight training progress to excellent instructors at KSEE and KMYF, her complex training and mentoring from Fran Bera, and solid encouragement and education from the 99’s. She spends her time at their Gillespie Field hangar and Vancouver, Washington home and runs Art Rent & Lease, placing fine art into corporate and healthcare environments.
Krystene Private Pilot Instrument rated
Flies out of Palomar airport and is currently working on her commercial pilot certificate. Her goal is to be a professional pilot.
Tracy Private Pilot, single engine land
Tracy and her husband own a Beechcraft T34 Mentor which she just loves to fly. She also a busy mom who runs her own business and is our current chapter newsletter editor.
Roni Private Pilot
Roni is also an aircraft owner and her plane is based at Gillespie Field.
Carole Private Pilot; single engine land Instrument rated
Carole received her Private Pilot Certificate in 1987. She is currently working on her Instrument Rating, having recently passed the written. Carole and her husband enjoy flying their Cherokee 180, Cessna 172, and Cessna 150 Aerobat (under lease with Pacific Coast Flyers) out of Palomar Airport.
Diana Miltary Helo Pilot Private Pilot, Single engine land
A former Navy pilot, Diana now flies fixed wing and has gone into a finance career. She now flies for fun and is enjoying being a newlywed.
Whitney Private pilot, single engine land Instrument rated
Whitney flies single engine Pipers and Cessnas and is working on her commercial certificate. She also participates in local youth aviation outreach and mentoring events.
Her grandfather, father and uncle were all aeronautical engineers, so Cynthia grew up surrounded by aviation. As an adult she got into flying when she saw an ad for a ground school at the S.D. aero-space museum. She signed up that day and took her first flight in a Cessna 172 a week later, thus beginning her love affair with flying. She now flies a Hughes 300 and a Bell 206 Jet Ranger but also enjoys flying tailwheels and owns a 1979 Decathlon. She is also the owner of Pilot 2 Pilot ground school.
Colleen Private Pilot, single engine land & sea
During the week she manages balance sheets but lets her inner aviatrix fly thru whenever she can. Here, Colleen is seen where she got her float rating in Moose Pass, Alaska.
Frankie Private Pilot, single engine land
A former avid Air Racer and Powder Puff Derby flier, Frankie is a decades long time 99s member and chapter volunteer.
Annette Private Pilot; single engine land
Annette flies out of Montgomery Field and is currently working on her instrument rating. She enjoys flying with her pilot husband on short trips and is currently working on her instrument rating.
Annelie Private Pilot, single engine land
Long time member Annelie just flies for fun when not traveling the world or helping with the local Greyhound Rescue.
Sam Commercial pilot; single engine land Instrument rated
In addition to being an avid aviatrix, Sam also enjoys the outdoors and is a ski instructor for the season in Lake Tahoe.
Andy Student Pilot
Andy is working on her Private Pilot Certificate and often flies co-pilot in her husbands turbo C182.
Janine Private Pilot, Single & Multi engine Instrument Rated
Her interest in flying was sparked when she watched fire tankers in action during the Cedar fire and she is working on her commercial certificate. Janine one day is interested in working for the forestry service or flying cargo.
Rebekah Commercial pilot, single & multi engine Instrument rated
Her goal/dream is to be a missionary, humanitarian pilot & mechanic. She is currently working in a shop toward her Airframe & Powerplant mechanic certificate while flying the other days to finish my training for the Certifified Flight Instructor certificate/CFI. One aspect of flying she loves is popping out of a cloud layer and seeing the puffy blanket of whiteness for miles!
Charli Private Pilot, single engine Flight Scholarship Winner
A student at SDSU majoring in International Business, Charli is working on completing her instrument rating.
Deb Airline Transport Pilot Commercial pilot, single engine land Instrument rated Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Instructor EMB-120 Type rated CL-65 Type rated SJ-30 Type rated
Debbie is a former airline pilot who now is one of a handful of pilots flying the brand new Emivest SJ-30 aircraft for a private business owner. She is also proud mom to future aviatrix Lindsey.
Norva Commercial Pilot; Single & Multi-engine land Instrument rated Certified Flight Instructor; Single engine land Certified Flight Instructor; Instrument Airplane
Proud pilot and mom Norva is also a teacher at Miramar College in their Aviation Department. She is available for flight instruction.
Shelley Commercial pilot; single engine land Instrument rated Certified Flight Instructor; single engine land
Our newest CFI is spending some time away in Florida with a large name flight school building her hours.
Lynne Private Pilot, single engine land
Decades long member Lynne is the chapters secretary. She and her husband also have their own airplane.
Jamie Commercial Pilot; single & multi-engine land Certified Flight Instructor; single & multi engine land Instructor; Instrument airplane Advanced ground Instructor
Jamie is a CFI based at Montgomery Field (available for instruction) who is also a passionate equestrian.
Cambria Private Pilot; single engine land
In addition to being a pilot, Cambria's passion is her work in Oceanography where she gets to travel and see the world.
Anna Commercial Pilot, Single & Multi-engine Instrument Rated Certified Flight Instructor, SE/ME
Our UK transplant, former flight attendant Anna came to the U.S. and became a pilot. She is now an instructor at San Diego Flight Training.
Amy Military aviator
Marine Capt. Amy, call sign "Krusty", is an F-18 Hornet weapons system operator currently deployed in Iraq.
Marie Private Pilot, single engine land Instrument rated
Former United stewardess Marie went on to become an avid pilot and air racer- having flown in 36 races! She learned to fly in 1964 and she & husband Rick (retired United pilot) own a C172 based at Gillespie Field. Marie was also a founding member of the Long Beach chapter before moving to San Diego.
More San Diego Ninety-Nines member profiles coming soon...
