Up, up and away for The Ninety-Nines

GULFWEEKLY reader Yvonne Trueman, pictured right, has just enjoyed a remarkable holiday flying experience. She was joined by two other lady pilots – Vanessa Ubra and Li Yan – on a trip to Jordan where the trio met up with other members of the 12-year-old, 30-strong Arabian section of The Ninety-Nines, an international organisation of women pilots that promotes advancement of aviation through education, scholarships and mutual support while honouring its unique history and sharing its passion for flight. Established in 1929 by 99 women pilots, the members of The Ninety-Nines, Inc., International Organisation of Women Pilots, are represented in all areas of aviation today. And, to quote its founding president Amelia Earhart, fly ‘for the fun of it!’

MAINLY due to our different locations, spreading from Lebanon to Oman, we have never had a meeting together before. Our present governor, Alia Twal, decided it was time for one and it was arranged to take place in Jordan.

This was an epic meeting of lady pilots of all grades brought together to share our love of flying.

In Amman, Alia prepared us for the wonderful experiences awaiting us, some offered under sponsorship. We were about to be spoiled.

We were given a wonderful welcome by Royal Jordanian Airlines before travelling further south down to the Marriott Hotel’s Dead Sea Resort.

Here we enjoyed relaxing mud baths, Dead Sea bathing and a fantastic lunch overlooking the sparkling sea.

After lunch, we moved down further south and made our way to the Jordanian Pilot Training School and simulator facility before finally arriving at Aqaba.

One of the most exciting activities on our itinerary was the chance to fly micro-lights and training aircraft situated in the modern hangar training facility of the Ayla Aviation Academy.
 
We all waited in anticipation for our turn to fly. The weather was perfect and from the air it was possible to see across Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. 

It was hard to drag us away, but soon we were off for another treat, an overnight stay at the Bait Ali Lodge. 

This is a camp set up in the Jordanian hills and desert, with all modern comforts. In the evening a sumptuous buffet dinner with Jordanian dancing filled the air with music. The individual chalets were perfectly laid out with air-conditioning and modern bathrooms.

The next morning we had to be up early for a balloon flight. Taking us all in four-wheel-drive vehicles we motored deep into the desert, and met up with the team tasked with looking after us. 

A balloon team needs a minimum of six to eight ground members for launching and tethering and there they were, keen and ready to launch us up, up and away.

Pulling one out of its cover onto the sand, the team soon had all the equipment to hand. Hot air filled the canopy, and the basket to carry passengers was strapped underneath. 

It took about an hour before the balloon was ready for launching and by then everyone was cheerfully snapping away with their cameras. 

The basket held a maximum of 16 and its very experienced balloon pilot Captain Khalid took us through the safety rules and the drill for climbing in and out.

The take-off was so smooth. Soon we were drifting upwards and the beautiful Jordanian terrain wrapped below us. The working team on the ground were soon just specks on the sand.

It’s very quiet floating along with only the intermittent noise of the cylinder burner every now and then to keep height. The weather was perfect, nil wind.

About an hour into the flight and I soon began wondering about the landing. On the ground below we could see specks of humans and jeeps. Soon we were floating gracefully down towards them and our arrival was so smooth that we did not even know we had landed!

This is an experience I recommend everyone tries.

After the flight, we had to head back up north to Petra, the ancient city featured in so many films.

We were offered the choice to go down the ridged roadway on horseback, walk or by horse-driven cart before returning to Amman.

For anyone who has a few days to spare, do try our itinerary, it was perfect, but most of all, the camaraderie of lady pilots blossomed with our first-ever 99s meeting in Jordan.

Well done, Alia for your hard work. I would also like to thank the trip’s sponsors which included Royal Jordanian Airlines, Gulf Air, DHL, Ayla Aviation Academy, Royal Aerosport Club of Jordan, Jordan Airline Training and Simulation and the Dead Sea Marriott Hotel.

*Yvonne has produced a poster featuring her holiday adventure photographs and would be happy to give a short school classroom chat to junior children. Email ytrueman2@yahoo.co.uk for details.