CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Laura Caputo is a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force and the Commander of the 158th Maintenance Group in Vermont, where she leads over 400 Airmen in maintaining combat readiness for the Air National Guard’s F-35 fighter jets at the 158th Fighter Wing. She is also a flight instructor at BETA Technologies, an aerospace R&D company developing a 100% electrically powered aircraft.

Drawing from her military career, Division I athletic background, and leadership experience, she motivates audiences to push past their limits, believing everyone can achieve more than they ever thought possible. In this engaging presentation, Colonel Laura Caputo shares her insights on overcoming challenges and achieving big goals by breaking them into smaller, actionable steps, or TTPs (Techniques, Tactics, and Practices). Drawing from her experience as a woman in the male-dominated fields of aviation and the military, Laura offers practical strategies for facing obstacles, finding mentors, and embracing setbacks as learning opportunities. She also highlights how aviation can empower women to take control of their lives and reach new heights, encouraging everyone to pay their success forward by helping others along the way.

Kathleen A. Yodice, Esq. has been practicing aviation law for 39 years, first as a lawyer in the FAA’s Chief Counsel’s Office and then in private practice in the boutique law firm started by her father John Yodice in 1960. She represents the interests of clients in all aviation-related legal matters worldwide. She is a pilot, aircraft owner, and an active member of the Ninety-Nines Sugarloaf Chapter.

This presentation offers a review of the most common legal issues that could face anyone in the aviation community, including FAA ramp checks and investigations, troubles in the FAA medical certification process, accident reporting to NTSB and the insurance company, aircraft purchases and leases, and employment and training contracts. Circumstances can change unexpectedly – we’ll help raise your awareness so that you can be armed to take action, avoid missteps, and protect your best interests.

Lighter than Air (LTA) aircraft, what are they? When Katherine started flying in the 1970s, acquiring a Hot Air Balloon rating was a bit different than the current FAA requirements. Further ratings helped her achieve the goals she set for herself and allowed her to take advantage of the opportunities that came along during her career. And… what were those fabulous opportunities? We'll find out.

In February 1974 Kathy traveled to Albuquerque, NM to attend the 3rd International Balloon Festival, where she had her first Hot Air Balloon flight. By April, she accomplished her first solo flight. In 1978, Kathy set several world records in small size category Balloon systems. For her it was in the AX-1 and AX-2, the smallest categories, which no one had previously flown for records, starting a terrific 40-year career in LTA flight.

Join Casey as she recounts her journey through the turbulent waters of aviation. Despite many challenges, she found her place as a flight instructor dedicated to sharing the joy of flight. With a deep passion for GA flying, it was only natural that she would discover the world of seaplanes. From the freedom to explore, to the technical challenge of flight, and the amazing community of advice and support, seaplanes encompass everything she loves about aviation.

Katahdin Wings Casey Raymond is a 20-year-old commercial pilot from Maine, who holds a CFI certificate and her ASES additional rating. Although her home is in the sky, she’s found her calling igniting that spark in others, whether that be through community outreach, speaking with educational programs, or teaching her flight students. When she’s not flying, she is also a student pursuing her A&P certificate through the University of Maine at Augusta.

Want to stay in the air for 10 hours for less than $100? Learn the art of soaring. It’s incredibly economical. It improves your skills as a powered pilot. It will hone all your stick and rudder skills. You won’t be nervous about making an emergency landing because you will practice those skills on every glider landing. Please join Cynthia in learning more about soaring and a club near you.

Cynthia is a commercial instrument pilot with land, helicopter, sea, and glider ratings. She was an Air Traffic Controller for 27 years with experience in Tower, Approach and Center. For the last ten years, she has focused on flying gliders and promoting the art of soaring in conjunction with her "mom" job. Cynthia is also the President of the Franconia Soaring Association.

Aileen joined The Ninety-Nines immediately after receiving her Private Pilot Certificate in 1989. With the assistance of the Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Fund, she attained the qualifications necessary to achieve her goal of Airline Captain. Paying it forward to the next generation of pilots has been part of her mission so she co-founded the Past Winners/Pay it Forward Scholarship. This is her story and inspiration, which in turn may inspire you to achieve your goals and share your passion for flight with others.

Aileen is currently a Boeing 767 Captain with command positions in the Boeing 747, 767, 737 and ATR42/72. She has also worked as an Instructor, Check Airman and FAA Designated Training Center Evaluator on the HS-125. She was awarded a Master of Science with a dual emphasis in Human Factors in Aviation/Aerospace and Aviation/Aerospace Safety Systems from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Aileen was also an original member of the Pro 99s.

Join Beth and other team members to hear about Habitat for Aviation’s Women Build Planes program, an all-female team of “Rosies” building an airplane at Franklin County Airport, in northwestern Vermont. Learn how they are showing folks everywhere that WOMEN BUILD, FLY, and FIX airplanes.

Beth White is an Education Possibilitarian, Artist, Writer, Doula, Mentor, Aviatrix, Breast Cancer Survivor, and Pilot-in-Command at Habitat for Aviation, which Beth established to provide real-world learning opportunities for youth and adults who love to work with their hands. Learning is grounded in relationships, relevance, and practice and provides an onramp for FAA A&P certification through apprenticeship.

Every year more than 1,000 sea turtles are stranded in the Cape Cod area due to cold-stunning, caused by exposure to cold temperatures for too long. With limited rehab locations in the area, max capacity is soon reached, and “Turtles Fly Too” is called upon to move these turtles to facilities that can care for them until they are ready for release. Learn how “Turtles Fly Too” has increased survival for multiple protected species across the U.S., Canada, and beyond by utilizing general aviation aircraft to reduce transport time and stress.

Since 2019, Kelli has combined her love of sea and sky by volunteering with the non-profit “Turtles Fly Too”. She has streamlined efficiency for the organization with her experience as a pilot, marine biologist, and familiarity with federal endangered species permitting. Kelli has also flown multiple missions, recruited several 99s to be Turtle Fliers, and is currently investigating obtaining the first donated amphibious seaplane for the organization to further its mission.

A friend of a friend was flying her Bonanza from Bellingham, Washington to Greenland and had an unexpected last-minute need for a co-pilot replacement. Minnetta received the call as she was leaving AirVenture. Three days later, she was on a flight to St. John’s, Newfoundland to join the adventure. The next morning, they launched northward, and Minnetta discovered a whole new definition of “remote” flying. Over three weeks, they landed in six Canadian provinces, one territory, and Greenland. It was a grand experience that was never on her radar and now she will share it with you!

Minnetta Gardinier began flying at age 49 and discovered a new passion in life. She holds a private pilot certificate and instrument rating and has landed in 47 of the Lower 48 States and competed in 15 Air Race Classics. She has been a member of the Iowa 99s since 2006 and is currently serving as the International Vice President of the 99s.