Casa Grande welcomes vintage aircraft and woman pilot
For the 58th year, the Casa Grande Municipal Airport was the site of the Cactus Fly-In, an annual celebration of aviation, last weekend.
The highlight of the weekend was the arrival of Ann Pellegreno, a pilot and author who flew around the world, retracing the same route as Amelia Earhart. Earhart disappeared in the South Pacific in 1937, and her fate has never been determined.
Pellegreno earned her private pilot's license in 1960, and by 1965, had earned a commercial pilot's license as well, then added ratings for multi-engine, instrument, and flight instructor. In 1967, 30 years after Earhart's flight, Pellegreno and three others flew an aircraft similar to Earhart's (a Model 10 Electra by Lockheed) over the same route. Pellegreno dropped a wreath in Earhart's honor over Howland Island, before ending her 28,000 mile flight on July 7, 1967. She wrote a book about her flight, which she titled ‘World Flight, the Earhart Trail’.
The Cactus Fly-In, which is a fundraising event in support of the Classic Airplane Association of Arizona, showcases vintage aircraft, which are flown to Casa Grande from all over the country. The event also includes a series of presentations by aviation organizations, a banquet, and an awards ceremony.
Event organizers might create illustrated brochures about the event for mailing to aviation enthusiasts, reminding them to save the date next year.
The highlight of the weekend was the arrival of Ann Pellegreno, a pilot and author who flew around the world, retracing the same route as Amelia Earhart. Earhart disappeared in the South Pacific in 1937, and her fate has never been determined.
Pellegreno earned her private pilot's license in 1960, and by 1965, had earned a commercial pilot's license as well, then added ratings for multi-engine, instrument, and flight instructor. In 1967, 30 years after Earhart's flight, Pellegreno and three others flew an aircraft similar to Earhart's (a Model 10 Electra by Lockheed) over the same route. Pellegreno dropped a wreath in Earhart's honor over Howland Island, before ending her 28,000 mile flight on July 7, 1967. She wrote a book about her flight, which she titled ‘World Flight, the Earhart Trail’.
The Cactus Fly-In, which is a fundraising event in support of the Classic Airplane Association of Arizona, showcases vintage aircraft, which are flown to Casa Grande from all over the country. The event also includes a series of presentations by aviation organizations, a banquet, and an awards ceremony.
Event organizers might create illustrated brochures about the event for mailing to aviation enthusiasts, reminding them to save the date next year.