The first female B-29 pilot in the history of theCommemorative Air Force (CAF) was in the right seat of the cockpit Tuesday,September 18, when FIFI landed at Tyler PoundsAirport in Tyler, Texas.Debbie King is not only the first woman to pilot the world’s last flying B-29, but also one of only a few femalepilots ever to fly the aircraft. Tyler is thefirst stop on the B-29’s five city fall tour in Texas,Arkansas and Oklahoma. Making the event even more special; the aircraft commanderfor Debbie’s first flight was her father, long time CAF pilot Tom Travis. Fatherand daughter, who both also fly the CAF B-24 Liberator, have shared a passionfor aviation ever since Tom taught Debbie to fly years ago. When asked whatemotions he feels as he shares his daughter’s latest accomplishment he said, “Heck, when I first met her she couldn't even walk and lookat her now! Besides pride, I feel very comfortable flying with her. We've flowntogether so much that we think alike and that makes it easier. She keeps mehumble. Best copilot I ever flew with.” Debbie is just one example of the Commemorative Air Force’scommitment to diversity among its members; although she dismisses any commentsabout gender when talking about flying airplanes. “It has taken a long timewaiting in the wings and paying my dues as a pilot,” Debbie says. “The CAF haspromoted a dramatic change in attitudes and opportunity over the last few yearsand I foresee a wonderful future for the coming generations.” B-29/B-24 Squadron Operations Officer David Oliver has thisto say about the squadron’s newest B-29 copilot, “Debbie is more qualified andhas more hours than many of our male copilots. We absolutely needed to give heran opportunity to fly the airplanes. She has seniority in the organization andhas spent many more volunteer hours than a lot of the pilots flying CAFairplanes today.” CAF president Steve Brown is leading the effort to activelyrecruit a more diverse membership to the warbird community. “We must move on tothat new generation and become more representative of America – menand women of different ethnicities and backgrounds,” says Brown. “We must havea better representation of the audiences we are talking to.” Debbie will be the first to tell you this experience is notabout her. Rather she wants to tell a story about the airplane and thegeneration of people who flew in them under much different circumstances than shedoes today. Debbie tells us what flying this airplane means to her, “Mygrandfather died in World War II and my great uncle, his brother, worked onthem during the war as a mechanic. My great uncle became my grandfatherfigure and I adored him. He was the epitome of the greatest generation; hecame home from the horrors of war, raised a family and went on with his life. “My Grandfather had just died and my great uncle was gearingup to move for the attack on Japanwhen the bombs were dropped. The B-29 represents a bit of salvation for myfamily. It saved American lives and it has allowed me to connect a bit, Ibelieve, with my grandfather and uncle -- to see and touch what changed thecourse of their lives, of all of our lives.” For more information about the CAF B-29/B24 Squadronvisit www.cafb29b24.org. To learn moreabout the national CAF organization visit www.commemorativeairforce.org
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