OSHKOSH, Wis. (July 24, 2001) — In 1937, the world lost an amazing and popular icon, Amelia Earhart, when she disappeared over the Pacific Ocean in her attempt to circumnavigate the world by airplane. Today, despite her numerous contributions to aviation and women’s achievement, the tragedy of Earhart’s disappearance lingers as the sole event associated with her life. In an effort to celebrate Earhart’s 17-year aviation career and her role in changing the perceptions of women in society, aviatrix (a female pilot) Dr. Carlene Mendieta from Sonoma, Calif. and St. Paul, Minn.-based HistoricAviation.com today announced at AirVenture Oshkosh 2001 the planned re-creation of Earhart’s 1928 record-setting flight across America. The adventure is appropriately called “Amelia Earhart’s Flight Across America: Rediscovering a Legend.

This September, Mendieta will fly a rare, fully restored 1927 Avro Avian airplane (the exact same kind Earhart flew) approximately 5,500 miles at an average speed of 82 mph, from New York to California and back. During the round-trip, three-week venture, Mendieta will land in the exact same 23 cities Earhart landed, touching down upon grass airstrips and even small-town main streets where possible. Mendieta also will replicate Earhart’s clothing, accommodations and meals. A Web site, www.AmeliaFlight.com, devoted entirely to the re-creation, will post flight updates, share Earhart information and allow users to send email to Mendieta.

Amelia Earhart is a powerful inspiration for us all not only for her accomplishments in aviation, but also for her role in challenging popular notions of a woman’s place in society, said Mendieta (47), a periodontist and taildragger* pilot. I’m thrilled to be tracing Amelia’s flight across America and along the way, sharing the story of a remarkable woman who deserves to be remembered for her life, not just her disappearance.

Prior to Earhart’s ill-fated 1937 around-the-world attempt, she had already become a household name and role model for millions of women and girls. In 1928, Earhart was flung into the national spotlight when she, as a goodwill passenger representing the United States, became the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by airplane. From that point forward, Earhart continued to set aviation records, including becoming the first woman — and only the second person after Charles Lindbergh to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. When Earhart wasn’t flying, she contributed articles to women’s magazines such as Cosmopolitan; wrote several books; spoke to hundreds of groups around the country; and helped found several professional women’s organizations, including Zonta International and The Ninety-Nines.

Earhart and the Avro Avian

Earhart first became interested in Avro Avian airplanes in 1928 after her goodwill flight across the Atlantic Ocean to England. While still overseas, and in great demand by members of the media, Earhart slipped away and met aviatrix Lady Mary Heath for a flight in her Avian. Earhart fell in love with Lady Heath’s Avian, accepted an offer to buy it and shipped it back to the United States. Later that same year, she flew the small, open-cockpit biplane across America. While Earhart’s original Avian has been lost to time and removed from flying records, the 1927 Avro Avian that Mendieta will fly this September is painted in the same silver and blue colors to match Earhart’s original airplane. It also carries the same official U.S. registration number (7083) and British registration (G-EBUG). Today, this Avro Avian is the only flying Avian in North America.

"This fully restored 1927 Avro Avian is a story in itself. It is just like the Avian Amelia flew more than 5,500 miles across the U.S. and it was used to re-create another historic flight from England to Australia in 1998," said Greg Herrick, owner of the Avro Avian and president of HistoricAviation.com, the company sponsoring the flight. "It’s a beautiful airplane, and I can’t think of doing it any greater justice than by using it to honor Amelia Earhart by re-creating one of her record-setting flights."

Flight Route: Vagabonding Across America

Earhart’s flight across the United States and back took place over a period of two months beginning on August 31, 1928. Earhart described the flight as *vagabonding* across America on flying vacation. Along the way, Earhart stopped at 23 cities including: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Dayton, Ohio; Terre Haute, Ind.; Muskogee, Okla.; Hobbs, N.M; Los Angeles, Calif.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Cheyenne, Wyo.; Chicago, Ill.; Cleveland, Ohio; and Rye, N.Y. Mendieta will re-create the route in a three-week period beginning on or around Sept. 5. Mendieta will fly from New York to California in one week, take a week’s rest on the West Coast, and then fly back to New York in one week.

About Dr. Carlene Mendieta

Mendieta, a periodontist from Sonoma, Calif., is an experienced taildragger* pilot who owns five vintage airplanes. Just like Earhart, Mendieta enjoys working on her own airplanes, including the engines, doing much of her own aircraft maintenance. Mendieta enjoys flying out of uncontrolled grass airports in California’s Napa Valley.

About Flight Sponsor, HistoricAviation.com

HistoricAviation.com is a St. Paul, Minn.-based international publisher and reseller of thousands of aviation items including books, videos, art and models. Items are available through a mail-order catalog or via the Internet. Visit www.HistoricAviation.com or call 800-225-5575 for more information.