WELCOME
Ninety-Nines Quick Facts:
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The 99s is a nonprofit, charitable membership corporation.
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Members hail from 44 countries and number in the thousands.
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Founded on November 2, 1929 at Curtiss Field, Valley Stream, Long Island, New York by 99 of the 117 licensed women pilots of the day.
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Amelia Earhart was elected the first president.
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Chapters sponsor hundreds of educational programs, including aerospace workshops for teachers, airport tours for school children, fear-of-flying clinics for airline passengers, and flight instructor revalidation seminars yearly.


Ladybugs

SRQ Ladybugs Quick Facts:
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The Ladybugs currently have18 members.
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Founded August 16, 2016 at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, KSRQ.
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Elina Lunin was elected the first president.
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Our chapter grants the Daniel E. Offutt II Trust scholarship annually as well as various other scholarships for type ratings, refresher training and more. We also partner with others in the aviation community to facilitate events that introduce youth to flying and encourage them to pursue a license.
Sarasota, Florida chapter of the Ninety-Nines, Inc., international organization of licensed women pilots.
The SRQ Ladybugs offers women in and around the Sarasota area opportunities to promote aviation through camaraderie, mentorship, education and scholarships while honoring the unique history of the Ninety-Nines and sharing a passion for flight. We are one of 23 chapters in the Southeast Section of the Ninety-Nines covering Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Southeast Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

2026 Southeast Section Spring Meeting
📅 Dates: May 1st – 3rd, 2026
📍 Section Meeting Location: 8009 15th St E, Sarasota, FL 34243
🏨 Event Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Sarasota Bradenton Airport
🛩️ Event Airport: Sarasota Bradenton Intl - KSRQ
⛽ FBO: Sheltair Sarasota
The SRQ Ladybugs welcome all section members to Sarasota, FL May 1-3, for the 2026 Spring Section meeting. Cost of registration is $125 if paid by 2/28/26 and $150 after. Payment through PayPal can be made on the Events page.
The meeting will be held at the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton located at 8009 15th St E, Sarasota, FL 34243 by KSRQ. The group rate is $149.00 per night for May 1-3.
Click here to reserve your room: 99s SE Section Spring 2026 Double Tree Reservations
The hotel has confirmed that the rate will be honored for bookings as late as the day of the event and is aware that the booking page states May 5, 2026, as the “book by” date.
*Sheltair is offering ramp parking for those flying in at $45.00 per night and fuel at $1.50 off regular price. Facility fee is waived with purchase of any amount of fuel. There is a 3% fee for payments made by credit card.
*Transportation between the hotel and FBO is available by both entities.
*For those who plan to visit The Ringling on Friday afternoon, general tickets are $30, plus a tour of the Ca' d'Zan total=$45. Tickets will be purchased at the museum upon arrival. Transportation will be provided.
*We will have group reservations at a local restaurant for dinner at your own cost Friday night.
*There will be coffee and pastries in hospitality room at the DoubleTree during check-in on Friday and Sunday morning. A breakfast buffet is provided in the meeting room Saturday morning as well as a light lunch.
Golden Age of Aviation Celebration
Saturday night at Sheltair will be a night of timeless flight-
celebrating the exciting advances in aviation technology occurring roughly 100 years ago.
As the world transitioned from fabric covered planes to metal, the capability of aircraft increased and air travel as we know it had its birth.
Join us for food and fun at the new Sheltair FBO at KSRQ.
Early tickets cost $25 in addition to conference registration. After 2/28/26, tickets cost $30.
Dress is Florida cocktail attire.

Friday, May 1
10:00
Registration open at the DoubleTree
14:00-17:30
Tour the Ringling
15:00-17:00
SE Section Board Meeting
18:00-20:00
Group Dinner at your own cost Anna Maria Oyster Bar
20:00-22:00
Bunco Mixer at the hotel
Saturday, May 2
08:00-09:00
Breakfast buffet in meeting room
09:00-11:30
SE Section Business Meeting
11:30-12:00
Group Photo
12:00-13:30
Lunch with guest speaker
18:00-22:00
Golden Age of Aviation Celebration- Sheltair Sarasota
Sunday, May 3
Departure
Thanks for visiting Sarasota!





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