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| Please note that these stamps cannot be purchased at Canada Postal outlets but are available at www.canadian99s.com/stamps. |
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Dorothy Rungeling on her 99th birthday.
Designed by Ninety-Nines member Suzanne Wiltshire, the Dorothy Rungeling stamp features a portrait of Dorothy with a Bell 47G-2 helicopter in the background. Born in 1911, Dorothy was not a typical female in that she rode a motorcycle, as well as horses. She trained horses and judged horse shows, unusual activities for young women, particularly for the times. Dorothy admits to being very nervous during her first flight, but then determined to overcome her fear. At first she was just going to take lessons until she soloed, but by then the flying bug had settled in. She completed her private license in 1949 at the Welland airport. Seeing how serious she was about flying, Dorothy’s husband Charlie didn’t want her flying an old airplane so he bought her a new Luscombe – for $2500! To build time for her commercial license, Dorothy set out for Cuba with a group of pilots. Her navigation ability improved significantly when she became separated from the group. Dorothy later owned a Cessna 170, Cessna 172, Piper Pacer and then a Beech Bonanza airplane. After completing her instructor rating, Dorothy instructed part-time and got a charter to set up her own business at the Welland Airport. But, in Dorothy’s words, “Seeing dark clouds on the horizon, I gave up the idea when I ran into opposition from an existing flying club.” Dorothy embraced air racing with a passion. Seven times she competed in the Women’s International Air Race, also called the “Angel Derby”, an air race of approximately 1500 – 1600 kilometers between the USA and another country (Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean). Her team often placed in the top ten. Dorothy also competed three times in the All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR), sometimes referred to as the “Powder Puff Derby”, usually about a 4300 – 4400 kilometer course across the USA. Dorothy’s co-pilots included other well-known Canadian pilots, Lorna deBlicquy and Felicity McKendry. Teams often dressed alike. Dorothy’s favourite outfit was the year she and her co-pilot wore matching dresses and aprons with the caption “To hell with housework”. Source: Additional information: |
In 2008, the East Canada Section of the Ninety-Nines initiated a stamp project in order to celebrate Canadian women pilots representing various flying careers.