The Ninety-Nines in Oklahoma City: Where Female Pilots Train and Network

The Ninety-Nines is a membership organization for women pilots that operates a local chapter in Oklahoma City, connecting female aviators to flight instruction resources, mentorship, and career pathways within the region's aviation community.

What the Ninety-Nines actually is

Founded nationally in 1929 and headquartered in Oklahoma City since 1940, the Ninety-Nines maintains its international headquarters at Will Rogers World Airport. The Oklahoma City chapter serves female pilots across the state and surrounding regions through education, networking, and advocacy. Unlike flight schools that provide instruction, the Ninety-Nines functions as a professional membership organization that connects members to training opportunities, introduces them to experienced pilots, and provides scholarships and mentorship for women pursuing aviation careers at all levels from private pilot through airline transport pilot.

The organization's name references the 99 women who founded it in 1929; Amelia Earhart served as the first president. Today the Oklahoma City chapter has approximately 80 to 100 active members ranging from student pilots to commercial and airline pilots, with meetings held monthly at Will Rogers World Airport.

Membership, programs, and costs

Annual membership in the Oklahoma City chapter costs $150 to $200, which includes access to monthly meetings, networking events, mentorship matching, and the national organization's online resources and publications. Membership is open to any woman who holds a valid pilot certificate or is actively pursuing flight training; student pilots can join at the same rate. No membership fees are required to attend a single meeting as a guest, making it possible to experience the group before committing.

The chapter administers two annual scholarships totaling approximately $2,500 to $3,000 for women pursuing flight training or advanced pilot certifications. Applicants must be Oklahoma residents or chapter members and typically must demonstrate financial need and progress toward a pilot certificate. The application deadline falls in spring, and awards are announced in early summer. Beyond scholarships, members gain access to mentorship pairings with active pilots in roles ranging from flight instructors to airline captains.

Meetings typically include a speaker from Oklahoma City's aviation community, a social portion with refreshments, and informal one-on-one conversations. Topics rotate between career planning, technical flying skills, aircraft ownership, and professional development. The chapter also organizes optional fly-in events and attendance at regional aviation conferences, though costs for those activities are separate from membership.

How it compares to other Oklahoma City aviation education options

The Ninety-Nines differs fundamentally from flight schools like those operating at Sundance Aviation or Enshur Flight Center, which provide direct instruction toward pilot certificates. The Ninety-Nines offers no flight instruction itself; instead, it serves as a connector between women pilots and existing training providers across Oklahoma City and beyond. A woman seeking to earn her private pilot certificate would pay for instruction through a flight school (typically $8,000 to $12,000 in Oklahoma City), while simultaneously joining the Ninety-Nines for mentorship and peer support at the $150-to-$200 membership level.

For women pilots seeking advanced training or career guidance, the Ninety-Nines offers peer learning and role-model access that generic flight schools do not prioritize. A commercial or ATP candidate benefits more from monthly meetings with established airline pilots than from an additional ground school. Conversely, someone at the very beginning of flight training who needs instruction immediately should prioritize selecting and enrolling with a certified flight school first, then join the Ninety-Nines to build a support network.

Who the Ninety-Nines suits and does not suit

The organization is most valuable for women who are already committed to aviation, whether as student pilots, licensed pilots seeking advancement, or career-changers exploring whether aviation fits their goals. It works well for someone isolated geographically or professionally within aviation, offering monthly face-to-face contact with other women in the field.

The Ninety-Nines is less useful for someone curious about flying as a hobby but not yet enrolled in flight training, or for someone needing active instruction rather than mentorship and community. It does not replace a flight school or an instructor; it complements them.

What a first meeting involves

First-time attendees should arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to allow time for introductions. Monthly meetings are held at Will Rogers World Airport in a conference room, typically on a Saturday morning or weekday evening. Attendees introduce themselves briefly, including their current pilot status and what brought them to aviation. A featured speaker then presents for 30 to 45 minutes, followed by informal networking. No prior aviation knowledge is required to attend, and guests are never pressured to join immediately. Members are available to answer questions about membership and chapter activities.

Hours, location, and logistics

The Oklahoma City chapter meets monthly at Will Rogers World Airport, located at 6700 North Military Avenue. Parking is available in the airport's general aviation lot; no special permit is required. Meeting dates, times, and speakers are posted on the national Ninety-Nines website under the Oklahoma City chapter section. Confirm the current schedule and meeting location directly with the chapter before attending, as meeting times may shift seasonally or due to speaker availability.

The Ninety-Nines fills a specific niche in Oklahoma City's aviation landscape: it creates sustained peer connection and career mentorship for women pilots that flight schools alone do not provide, while operating at the professional and community level that makes the organization a natural anchor for women's aviation growth in the region.