Margaret J. Ringenberg

Margaret J. Ringenberg author of “Girls Can’t Be Pilots”

Her dream took flight in the Woman’s Air Force Service Pilot (WASP) in 1943. Although not allowed to fly combat missions, WASP pilots served grueling, often dangerous, tours of duty. Ferrying, test flying and target towing were risky activities, and some WASP pilots suffered injuries and 38 were killed in the course of duty. During WWII these women were employed by the U.S. Civil Service and did not have officers commission, benefits and pay of the military. In 1977, after much lobbying of Congress the WASP finally achieved military active duty status for their service.

In 1945 Margaret became a flight instructor and has flown as a commercial pilot and instructor ever since. She has been racing since 1957 including the last 20 Powder Puff Derby’s, every Classic Air Race since 1977, the Grand Prix and the Denver Mile High and many others. She has over 150 trophies to show for her efforts. From the time she soloed in 1941 until she completed the ‘Round – The – World Air Race’ in 1994 at age 72, she had logged over 40,000 hours in the air. Tom Brokaw devoted a chapter to her in his book The Greatest Generation and she has written a book of her own Girls Can’t Be Pilots. In 1999 she received the NAA Elder Statesman in Aviation Award in a presentation ceremony in Washington D.C. In March of 2001 at the age of 80 she flew in a race from London England to Sydney, Australia. She has not only made history, set records and won trophies she has changed lives all while doing what she loves – FLYING.