Aileen Saunders Mellott

In 1956 it was a rare thing for a woman to do: Mellott earned her pilot's license. She competed in seven Powder Puff Derby events, winning in 1959 and 1960, and in 1961 was named pilot of the year by the National Pilots Association. On November 16, 1961, she was flying several passengers to San Diego, Calif., when bad weather forced her to land in El Rosario, Mexico. Villagers there were suffering from drought and needed basic supplies and medical care. Mellott organized a Christmas airlift to the town, bringing a doctor and supplies, and went back many times. That effort became the Flying Samaritans. "She always felt the greatest accomplishment was her work with the Flying Samaritans," said her brother, George Smallen. Mellott also served on the boards of the San Diego Airport Commission and the San Diego Aerospace Museum, and flew rescue missions with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. She died September 25 from pancreatic cancer. She was 76. From This is True for 29 September 2002 Suggestions for further reading: West with the Night by Beryl Markham Amazon Price: $10.88 Customer Review: I happened on Outside Magazines 25 Best Adventure Stories of the Last 100 Years the other day. I can't resist a real-life adventure story so was interested on their take. A few I had already read but there was also plenty that I hadn't so I paid a vi...   Who Was Amelia Earhart? (Who Was...?) by Kate Boehm Jerome Amazon Price: $4.99 Customer Review: My nine year old had a book report and she choose to read this biography. She found it very easy to read and could not put it down! I was amazed that it took her about two days to finish reading the book. Definitely a good buy. Strongly recommend...   Broken Wings by Terri Blackstock Amazon Price: Customer Review: Great book! Lots of suspense as you eagerly read to the outcome. Contains great truths regarding Christian ethics.   Play with Me by Leslie Kelly Amazon Price: Customer Review: I selected this book, because it had a roleplay theme. The heroine, a commitment phobic pilot, becomes involved in a relationship with the hero. She just wants it to be sex. Like she has a say in that, being the heroine of a Harlequin Blaze. Just lik...   Reclaiming the Sky: 9/11 and the Untold Story of the Men and Women Who Kept A... by Tom Murphy Amazon Price: $14.93 Customer Review: This was one of the silliest, all over the place, pointless, & boring books I have ever read. I am not sure what this book has to do with the Aeronautical Science class I am taking or why it required reading for the course. I guess this book is...   Newsfeed display by CaRP

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