On June 4 and 5, the Alabama 99s came together to paint an 80’ compass rose at Huntsville Executive Airport (MDQ) in Meridianville, Alabama. Painting of compass roses and other airport markings is a long-standing event for the Ninety-Nines.
Los Angeles chapter member Wilma Fritschey designed the International Ninety-Nines’ Compass Rose logo and monogram in 1939. The Compass Rose is a directional piece of navigation used by pilots with both historical and functional significance. The unique physical characteristics of the Compass Rose helps pilots identify airports from above by providing a familiar visual feature. The Compass Rose also provides a unique, significant, and historical ground feature as pilots traditionally calibrate their compass according to the orientation of the markings on the ground. The center of the Compass Rose features the Ninety-Nines logo is prominently featured as it has been for almost a century.
Our airmarking chairman, Eileen Hamby worked with the Huntsville Executive Airport Board and Huntsville Executive Center to make this project a reality. To get ready for this compass rose painting, Eileen used the newly cut wooden 99 templates to draw the center 99s logo on her basement floor. I think we should all show up at her house to paint the 99s for her!
Our airmarking chairman, Eileen Hamby worked with the Huntsville Executive Airport Board and Huntsville Executive Center to make this project a reality. To get ready for this compass rose painting, Eileen used the newly cut wooden 99 templates to draw the center 99s logo on her basement floor. I think we should all show up at her house to paint the 99s for her!
The laying out of the compass rose started on Friday, with the initial circles, chalk lines, and the taping off of the middle 99s. Three ladies and two granddaughters showed up to help with this part. On Saturday, 15 ladies joined in for the paint of the compass rose. We were honored when a charter pilot, Joe, decided to jump in and paint with us. The saying “many hands lighten the load” was true for this project. The painting started around 9 am and we were done with it a little after 2 pm.
We also had a Chili Luncheon as a fundraiser for our Minnie Wade Memorial Scholarship. There were six different types of chilies provide for visitors to the airport to try. The luncheon raised $157 for our scholarship.
Lauren Layton from WHNT 19 came out and documented the painting for us. You can see her story “Female Pilots group pains giant compass rose on airport tarmac” on the WHNT website. Alabama member and Executive Flight Center manager, Donna Meyer flew Lauren over the airport to get a look at the compass rose from the air. Lauren had never been in a small airplane before and said she looks forward to going up again. We hope this flight adds to our membership number!
Even though the day was hot and a few of us got a little too much sun, everyone had a great time, and the compass rose looks great.
