Pilots Soar in 18th Annual Cross Country Caper

By Cigi Ross 'North County Times'

The Coyote Country Ninety-Nines 18th annual Cross Country Caper and Poker Run involved about 37 planes, according to event coordinator Marie Donovan. The purpose of the event is to raise money for scholarships for female pilots. Pilots visited five of six participating airports to collect poker hands, with their ultimate destination being the French Valley airport. "I enjoy flying with other people and this is a great way to meet pilots," said Lisa Erickson, a member of Ninety-Nines' Fullerton County chapter. "And you get to land in places you wouldn't normally land in." French Valley airport mechanic and Temecula resident Chuck Bremer saw the poker run as a learning opportunity. He said he has been taking flying lessons for about a month. Another participant was Oceanside pilot George Kirscher, who said he has been flying planes for about a quarter of century. One of the scholarship recipients was Coyote Country member Brittany Greer, who achieved certification as a full-time pilot instructor.

October 14, 2009