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Girl Scouts ‘Take Flight’ with The 99s at Hampton Roads Executive Airport
Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors from GSCCC interested in flight gathered at Hampton Roads Executive Airport in Chesapeake, Virginia, for an unforgettable day of aviation discovery on May 2. Girls explored the science of flying, met inspiring women in aviation, and learned about exciting career opportunities in aerospace and beyond.
Hosted with the support of The 99s, the international organization of licensed women pilots, the event gave girls hands-on experiences and real conversations with women who are shaping the future of aviation and STEM.
Girls had the opportunity to meet some incredible mentors, several of whom are Girl Scout alum, including:
- Linda Bangert, a NASA engineer and scientist with more than 30 years of experience
- Suzanne Collins, who flew in her own aircraft and taught girls about her 1979 Piper Dakota airplane
- Christina Edwards, a former flight attendant who is now training to become a pilot
- Peggy Dall, a pilot and an engineer for Gloucester County, Virginia
- Sarah Oxley, a flight instructor who brought her daughter Faith to share in the experience
Throughout the day, Girl Scouts learned key aviation concepts including the four forces of flight, lift, weight, thrust, and drag, as well as the axes of motion that help airplanes move through the sky. Girls also explored the phonetic alphabet used by pilots and air traffic controllers, discovering fun facts like “J is for Juliet.”
The event also introduced girls to important aviation organizations such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), helping them understand how safety and teamwork keep aviation running smoothly.
Beyond piloting, girls learned about the many careers connected to aviation and aerospace, including:
- Meteorologists
- Atmospheric scientists
- Aerospace engineers
- Aircraft manufacturing professionals
- Astronauts
Attendees were especially excited to hear about local internship opportunities available for high school students through NASA. Students interested in STEM careers can explore opportunities through NASA Internships. (Internship Application Deadline for Fall 2026 is May 22, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET.)
The excitement doesn’t stop here. Girl Scout families can look forward to several upcoming aviation events with The 99s in the area, including:
- Young Eagles Day on June 6, 2026, at Chesapeake Airport, where youth can sign up for free airplane rides!
- Let’s Fly Now on October 3, 2026, featuring free airplane rides, a Girl Scout Badge Day, fly-in pancake breakfast, and aviation safety talks .
Through mentorship, hands-on learning, and exposure to aviation careers, all left inspired to dream bigger, explore boldly, and perhaps one day take the controls themselves. Our event reminded every attendee that the sky is not the limit, it’s just the beginning!
