LadiesLoveTaildraggers

Megan Mickelson is based at 94C, Gilbert Field Airport, Rio, Wisconsin.

Megan & her favorite Citabria

I was bitten by the flying bug when I was fifteen, thanks to my dad’s pilot-friend, Don Brinkmeier, and ever since have kept my eyes to the sky! I love the thrill of flying a taildragger, in particular my beloved Citabria.

Megan Mickelson

I began training in the Citabria and can say it’s been quite the love affair. I’m sure many other women can relate when I say there’s nothing quite like a taildragger lifting off on a clear, cool morning!!

Rio, WI flying!

Megan Mickelson

Wisconsin

Stephanie Schledorn is based at KMKO, Davis Field Airport, Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Stephanie Schledorn & her Super Decathlon

I’m a police captain by night and a powerline patrol pilot by day. My husband and I have a C172 to patrol with and a Super Decathlon for aerobatics and just fun flying.

We were also featured in AOPA Pilot Magazine for our patrol business (written by Jill Tallman). Here’s the link:

http://www.aopa.org/members/files/pilot/2010/may/gaservesamerica.html  

I’d like to attend your event and will see how my schedule looks. I’ll have to bring my hubby, but he is generally well loved by all!

Stephanie Schledorn

From Marijke Unger who flies her 1976 Citabria, 7KCAB out of (KLMO), Longmont, Colorado.

Marijke with Pilots 'n' Paws rescue dogs Doc Holliday and Virgil Earp

Today I flew my first mission for Pilots ‘n’ Paws, an organization of volunteer pilots and transport coordinators dedicated to moving rescued pets to their new homes. It was an amazing experience.

About to depart for the final leg of Doc and Virgil's long journey from Texas to Wyoming

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Crossing the Divide

My two charges, Doc Holliday and Virgil Earp, were headed from a kill shelter in Texas to their new home in Pinedale, Wyoming, to be united with Christine and her blue heeler, Wyatt Earp. The family is complete, and it was immensely rewarding to see big smiles and madly wagging tails at our destination.

Pups safely loaded up

I’d like to thank a number of people who were instrumental in making this happen, and who helped make my first PNP flight a safe and successful one: Eric Menchen for helping host two pups and their transport coordinator overnight, for his patience, and for handling food and logistics. Doedo Schipper for many hours spent helping to reconfigure the plane and install crates, as well as supplying parts, crates, and extra hands, and for asking all the right questions to make sure I knew what I was doing. Air West Flight Center, and in particular David King and Larry Kuebrich for expertise, advice, parts, crates, moral support, and a sectional chart. D.J. Molny for his quick response and crate loan. And to everyone who wished me well and kept fingers crossed for good weather. THANK YOU!!!

Virgil and Doc were thrilled to meet their new mom, Christine.

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It was a great experience, and very rewarding.

Marijke Unger

Deb Nelson is based at Casa Grande Municipal Airport, Casa Grande, Arizona. Also KEMP and KAST.

A very cool update about Deb Nelson from husband Steve Trieber. Congratulations Deb, on your Big News!!

“Deb is now an official “Aeronaut “. She passed her balloon check ride with ‘flying colors’ a couple of days ago.”

Check ride time!

“Here’s our dog ‘Pitot’ thinking that all of his weight has helped with the post flight pack-up.”

The ballast, Pitot

“Wintering, working & enjoy great flying weather in Arizona until it warms up a bit back east at ’the easternmost airport in the USA’, KEMP, Eastport, Maine!”

Best regards.

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Following posted November 25, 2011……

Here’s a surprise everyone can share in!

Deb’s proud husband wanted to surprise her so he registered her on Ladies Love Taildraggers. Welcome Deb to our fun group of lady taildragger pilots! We’re anxious to hear more about your taildragger flying – and your hot air balloon flying too!

Deb landing her Citabria at KCGZ Casa Grande, Arizona

Hi Judy,

This is Steve, I filled out a registration application for my wife Deb Nelson. I’m signing her up as a surprise. I found your web-site in an aviation publication. I showed it to Deb and she loved it. She’ll find out soon.

Deb's just about to earn her Hot air Balloon certificate. " Even lower & slower". That's Deb on her first solo flight.

Deb loves to fly her Citabria 7GCBC. That’s her in the photo just about to land at KCGZ Casa Grande, Arizona. We’re based there in the winter and at the “Eastern most airport in the USA” KEPM Eastport Maine in the summer. We also have a hangar at KAST Astoria, Oregon. Her GCBC has flown back and forth between all of them.

Pitot Tube, the poochie!

Our dog ‘Pitot Tube’ & cat ‘Broken’ also fly!!

And the kittie, Broken!

Thanks for including her in Ladies Love Taildraggers. I’m sure she’ll add more info & photos once she can log-in.

Conventional gear is the best !

Best Regards,

Steve Trieber

Deborah VanTreuren is based at X50, Edgewater (south of  New Smyrna Beach), Florida.

The Citabria is my instructor's plane. My Twister is under construction; expected finish is fall.

I am very close to finishing up my PPL.

I’m in the process of building a Twister- A German taildragger, 3/4 scale Spitfire inspired, carbon fiber and composite. This is a phenomenal airplane! My initial training was in the Citabria 7ECA. Will finish up my endorsement by the end of Feb 2012.

Deborah VanTreuren

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Deborah’s Twister won’t be finished till fall so no pictures yet. I had no idea what a German “Twister” is but found this YouTube video of a 180hp flying some pretty cool aerobatics. It’s quite a performance. Looking forward to seeing yours, Deborah. Judy

Diane Sokolowski is based at KCEK, Crete Municipal Airport, Crete, Nebraska.

AAA Blakesburg

My Dad always had a passion for flying for as long as I can remember.  My earliest years were spent at RC model airplane contests as my Dad and brother Larry would compete at pattern plane meets.  Dad always had a dream to get his pilot’s license but with seven kids to feed, it remained a dream at least until my four oldest brothers were out of the house.  Fortunately, my Mom was supportive of Dad earning his license and the youngest three of the family; my brother Larry and sister Sheila and me (I was the youngest) were able to come along for the ride – all getting our licenses as well.  We lost our Dad a few years ago, but his love of flying lives on in us.

My Dad Vern

My brother Larry builds and flies RC model jets that exceed speeds of 200 mph.  My sister Sheila lives in the Big Apple, but comes back often to fly as much as she can.  We enjoy our annual “two chicks in a tailwheel” tour each summer, during which we burn a lot of gas tormenting airport operators at our favorite airports around the state.  As for me, I was one of those lucky kids that had the opportunity to learn how to fly and airplane before I ever drove a car.  I soloed at 16 after three “official” hours of flight instruction.  I earned my pilot’s license at age 17.

Sisters "two chicks in a tailwheel" tour

I grew up flying Cessna’s and transitioned into taildraggers in college.  I worked at an airport fueling airplanes and cutting grass.  My boss at the time, let me get checked out in his Citabria.  Dan (now husband) worked in the maintenance shop and we spent many lunch breaks practicing our tailwheel skills and even enjoyed a few rolls along the way.  We were in love – with tailwheels!  We have been flying together for over 20 years.

We bought our first airplane, a 1967 Cessna Skyhawk about ten years ago.  It was pristine as we were the second owners since it was new.  It was a great plane to learn about ownership and of course fly.  My Dad would visit for a week in the summers, and we would do nothing but fly and wax the airplane.  After a few years, we traded the Skyhawk for a newer Citabria.  I’ve always dreamed of flying an open cockpit biplane and the Citabria was the first step in pursuit of that dream…I wanted to get current in tailwheels again.  The plan was to sell the Citabria after we found a biplane, but I thoroughly enjoy flying it and haven’t had the heart to part with it just yet!

A few years ago at a small airshow, my sister Sheila and I saw a young women wearing an Amelia Earhart t-shirt and we struck up a conversation.  It turned out that Rachel (also a pilot) and her husband Brian owned a Stearman and brought it to the show.  They invited us to stop by their hangar sometime for a Stearman ride.  Not sure if it was a “courtesy” offer or not, we showed up at the hangar several weeks later.  Brian holding true to his word offered me a flight in the Stearman – I accepted and he promptly put me in the back seat and began showing me how to start it up.  My first Stearman flight, was dual instruction during which he graciously allowed me to take-off and land.  Dan said it was the sparkle in my eye that told him, we needed to start looking for a Stearman.

Formation flying over Iowa landscape with friends (Brian and Rachel Aukes in 429 and Dan and Diane Sokolowski in 66). Photo courtesy of Matt and Amy Sawhill.

That Amelia T-shirt has opened up a new world of friends that we now fly with.  We have an unofficial flying club in which we do nothing but fly, fix and clean our airplanes.  We enjoy flying our Stearman and Citabria to antique fly-ins like Blakesburg, Galesburg and the National Biplane Fly-in at Junction City.  The flying is great, but the friendships we’ve gained are even better.  Every adventure is an opportunity to meet someone new to share our passion of flight.  Blue skies and tailwinds!

Flying our Stearman which we fondly call "Blondie".

Diane Sokolowski

Tina Korycki is based at CYZF, Yellowknife General Airport, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

Update: Great news everybody – we have a brand new taildragger pilot! Congratulations to former student pilot, and now proud private pilot, Tina Korycki . Murphy Moose, here she comes!!

Tina's First Solo!

I am 46 years old and completed my PPL training in a Citabria.  I love it! I finally got my private licence on January 31st, 2012! It took twice as long as I thought it would but was worth the extra time and waiting for weather! I decided to learn in a taildragger because my husband and I have a Murphy Moose that is ready for its final inspection and first flight across Canada.

The (Murphy) Moose with Propeller

We have also ordered a Just Aircraft Highlander and it too is a taildragger. His and hers so to speak! I was just telling my husband last night that I thought that I may be a taildragger snob! I can’t taxi a Cessna 172 to save my life but the Citabria is a snap!

Happy Soloist

Best regards,

Tina Korycki

Thanks Tina! Just checked Wikipedia for some info on your part of the world. It’s just too cool meeting all you gals from so many remote areas! When I saw Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, I knew it was going to be just a little breezier than where I’m at in the Midwest. Boy, is that an understatement. I see Yellowknife has an average year round high of 32 degrees F.  Your December average is -4 F and January average is -9 F.  All I can say is you must have one heck of an electric blanket! You’re also flying out of the most active general aviation airport in the Northwest Territories. Hopefully lots of taildraggers to hang out with up there. Tina, be sure and send us the good news – with pictures – when you get your ticket!  Judy

Nancy Warren is based at KBAK, Columbus Municipal Airport, Columbus, Indiana.

Nancy Warren, DC-3

Many years ago I was checked out in a Citabria, 7-ECA (part-owner), also flew right seat in DC-3s and Beech 18s, currently fly a Cessna Cardinal 177.

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Nancy Warren & friend, Rusty Richards with Rusty's Cessna 195

I was a member of the 99s for 25 years, currently member of the United Flying Octogenarians (UFO), serve on its Board of Directors and as Area Director for the State of Indiana. I also write a monthly column (WOMEN IN THE SKIES) for www.aircraftowneronline.com.

Nancy Warren

Good news! This beautiful C195 will be at our Lady Taildraggers flyin and Nancy & Rusty will be in it!  Be sure and check out the upcoming February issue of www.aircraftowneronline.com. Nancy was so excited about our organization she suggested writing an article about LLT to her editor. It’ll be on-line soon!  Judy

News from Heather Gamble in California. She’s having a great time doing some fun formation training in her Citabria. Check out these great pictures and short videos. “Smoke on”!!

Heather Gamble & Citabria 41800 in Flight

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Video #1

Video #2

————–Following posted March 1, 2011—————-

Heather Gamble sent in a few pictures and the big news – she now has her Seaplane Rating and get this, in a Stinson 108… on floats!!!! Very cool! Heather is based at Ramona Airport (KRNM), Ramona, California.

Stinson 108; I got my seaplane rating in Northern California in the Sierra Foothills...Norcal Aviation in Angel's Camp

Heather also is a long time lover of Citabrias and updated us with a couple of her Citabria pictures.

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From Heather “Will there be another LLTD get together at Oshkosh this year?  It was so fun meeting you gals there last year!”

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Heather, congratulations on your new rating and thank you for sending in the pictures so we can all share in your fun! I wanted to let everyone know there’s a new thread in the FORUM that Susan T started already talking about getting together at Oshkosh. Take a look and leave a comment about where and when you’d like to meet. We’ll definitely meet while we’re all up there, just need to work out the details between now and then.  Judy

Marijke Unger flies her 1976 Citabria, 7KCAB out of (KLMO), Longmont, Colorado.

Here’s a picture update from Marijke Unger including some photos taken by her friend and fabulous photographer Ryan Lunde. Slow click twice to see beautiful, full size images!!

Marijke flying her Citabria 7KCAB; by Ryan Lunde

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Marijke Unger & Cheryl Kimmet

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Cozy hangar!

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Thanks for the pictures Ryan! I got a kick out of the note he sent when he emailed me Marijke’s pictures…..

“Girls who fly taildraggers are the coolest.  I have a soft spot for them ever since I got my license in a Citabria from an instructor of the female persuasion. “

Best regards,
Ryan Lunde

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Posted March 30, 2010

I started my flight training in taildraggers, and acquired my own Citabria as a student pilot. It’s a 1976 7KCAB I’ve named “Loki”.  I fly aerobatics and enjoy trips into backcountry strips. Last year, I flew Loki in the Air Race Classic, an all-women’s cross country race, and it was the only taildragger in the lineup!  I also have time in Scouts, Extras, and Giles aircraft, and hold instrument and commercial ratings.  540 of my 650 hours are tailwheel.

I got my private pilot’s license in July of 2005, and the very next weekend, flew to Oshkosh. The weekend after that, to Glacier National Park. With friends and mentors showing me the ropes, I landed the backcountry strips of Idaho, on a dry lake bed in Utah, and at the highest elevation civil use airport in America.

I’m hoping to work on instructor and multiengine ratings in the near future. My ultimate goal is to fly Twin Otters on skis in Antarctica, supporting science field missions.

You can find info and photos of the Air Race at MyFirstAirRace.com.