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What is Airmarking ?
In the early days of aviation, there were few navigation instruments (and no GPS !), so finding one's way in the air was quite a challenge !
To address this, the National Air Marking Program was created in 1934. It was directed by a woman Phoebe F. Omlie, a 99 Charter Member, and an all-woman staff. The objective was to crisscross the whole country with the name of the nearest town painted on the roof of the most prominent building every 15 miles. By the middle of 1936, 30 states were actively involved in the program, with approvals given for 16,000 markers, at a cost of about 1 million dollars.
However, after the bombing of Pearl Harbour, and to prevent enemy identification and attack, all the markers were blacked out.
After WWII, Blanche Noyes, a famous woman pilot and 99 charter member who had been involved both in the initial airmarking and in erasing it, was in charge of the airmarking division for the Civil Aeronautics Administration.
Airmarking Today
Today, The Ninety-Nines, Inc. are proud to continue the tradition, as the airmarking still provides invaluable help to the general aviation pilot.
The Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter continues to paint, every year, a compass rose or airport names and identification for local airports.
If you would like to participate in the next Airmarking event, or discuss the possibility of airmarking for your airport, please contact us. |
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