Cruse Died While Flying For USA At World Aerobatic
Championships
The achievements and legacy of the
late Vicki Cruse, International Aerobatic Club president and
Experimental Aircraft Association director, will live on through a
memorial scholarship established by women pilots from the
Ninety-Nines and aviators throughout the world.
The Vicki Cruse Memorial Scholarship, which will be administered
through the Ninety-Nines' Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Fund,
will provide financial aid to women pilots for emergency maneuver
and aerobatic training. The scholarship will be officially
announced at the Sept. 12 "Celebration of Life" at the Santa Paula,
Calif., airport that honors Cruse, who died on August 22 while
representing the United States at the World Aerobatic Championships
in England.
"Vicki touched many of our lives, inspiring some to pursue
advanced training, or even become aerobatic competitors
themselves," said Marion Nauman, past chairwoman of the
Ninety-Nines' Ventura County CA chapter, Cruse's home chapter
within the international organization, as well as an EAA member and
aircraft builder. "While we enjoyed her spunk and wry humor
while she was with us, her exceptional determination and focus
should be shared with others. Vicki's devotion to perfecting flying
skills and her many accomplishments will serve as an inspiration to
future generations of pilots."
The Ventura County 99s have established a "Remembering Vicki" web site as a
tribute to Cruse and a way for the aviation community to contribute
to the scholarship. Each dollar donated to the Vicki Cruse
Memorial Scholarship over the next five years will be matched, up
to a maximum of $30,000, to create a solid foundation for women to
pursue emergency maneuver and aerobatic flight training. The
Ventura County 99s pledged $5,000 in matching funds, while
Lightspeed Aviation has pledged to match up to a maximum of
$25,000.
"Vicki was devoted to educating
pilots about the safety benefits of emergency maneuver and unusual
attitude training," said Susan Liebeler, community relations and
fundraising chairwoman for the Ventura County 99s, as well as the
Southwest Section of the international Ninety-Nines
organization. "Her devotion to flying and safety led those
who knew her to preserve her memory by enabling others to become
more precise and safe pilots through the Vicki Cruse Memorial
Scholarship."
Cruse, 41, won the U.S. National Unlimited Aerobatic
Championship in 2007, and was a four-time member of the U.S.
national team. She served as IAC president since 2005 and was also
a board member of EAA and Unlimited Aerobatics USA Inc. Along
with other awards, she achieved the All Ten Achievement Award, 1998
U.S. Sportsman National Aerobatic Championship, and 1999 & 2000
Champion of the Americas.
"Vicki was a person whose life was changed and who found her
purpose through aviation," said Trish Deimer, IAC programs manager.
"We know there are others who seek the same opportunities through
flying, and that is why IAC and EAA support this scholarship
through the Ninety-Nines."
The Ninety-Nines, Inc., headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK, is a
nonprofit organization of women pilots that promotes aerospace
education and training, provides aviation scholarships and
preserves the unique history of women in aviation through the 99s
Museum of Women Pilots and the Amelia Earhart Birthplace
Museum. Managed by trustees with the assistance of
professional investment advisors, the 99s Amelia Earhart Memorial
Scholarship Fund has provided aviation scholarships to
approximately 500 women pilots since its inception in
1940.
The International Aerobatic Club (IAC), headquartered in
Oshkosh, Wis., is a division of the Experimental Aircraft
Association (EAA), serving as the world's largest aerobatic
organization with a mission to promote the safety and enjoyment of
aerobatics.