NEWS RELEASE 08-12
October 23, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jessica Cox, who recently made news as one of the few people without arms to earn a pilot's license, will be a speaker at Women in Aviation, International's (WAI) 20th Annual Conference held in Atlanta from February 26-28, 2009. Cox is the first person without arms to earn a pilot's license, using only her feet and no prosthetics and no aircraft modifications other than a seat cushion. (After all, she is 5'1" tall.)
In addition to Cox relating her experiences while learning to fly, her talk – "Disarming the Impossible!" – will explore how to turn "impossible" into "accomplishment." Although Cox has been a motivational speaker for several years, she anticipates a special affinity with her audience at Women in Aviation's Conference. She says, "Now that I'm a pilot, I'm looking forward to meeting other women who share the joy and privilege of flying!" Cox earned her Sport Pilot certificate on October 10, 2008, taking her checkride in a 1945 Ercoupe 415C. Since she holds an unrestricted driver's license, she qualified medically under the Sport Pilot rules. WAI President Peggy Chabrian said, "We know Jessica will not only inspire our Conference attendees, but a woman of her many accomplishments will fit in with all the other amazing and talented women and men who attend our Conference."
With the theme "A New Approach to Your Tomorrow," the WAI Conference will include a private tour and reception at the world-famous Georgia Aquarium, seminars, workshops, networking events, speakers, and commercial exhibit area. The Conference concludes on Saturday evening, February 28 with WAI's traditional banquet where many scholarships are awarded and the 2009 group of Aviation Pioneers is inducted into WAI's Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame. The closing banquet is sponsored by UPS.
Registration is available on line at www.wai.org/09conference, and the discounted Conference rate is available at the Atlanta Hyatt Regency through February 2, 2009. A discounted "early bird" registration fee is available through December 5, 2008. Photos are available upon request.
Women in Aviation, International is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to providing networking, mentoring and scholarship opportunities for women and men who are striving for challenging and fulfilling careers in the aviation and aerospace industries. For more information about the Conference and about WAI, contact WAI at 3647 State Route 503 South, West Alexandria, OH 45381, Phone (937) 839-4647; Fax (937) 839-4645 or through www.wai.org.
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Contact:
Connie Lawrence
Women in Aviation International
937-839-4647 Phone
937-839-4645 Fax