Teaming up with California Aeronautical University to promote aviation in the face of a global pilot shortage.
Vicky Benzing will join the special event “WomenVenture” on Wednesday, July 27th at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022. Aimed to inspire, empower, and break down barriers for girls and women in aviation, Vicky will perform in the Wednesday WomenVenture air show and join other female aerobatic pilots for a panel discussion titled “Unusual Attitudes” later in the evening at the Theater in the Woods. The 69th edition of EAA’s fly-in convention is July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Along with a dedicated WomenVenture center, this year’s AirVenture will also celebrate the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force.
Vicky’s aerobatic performance in her iconic bright red 1940 Boeing Stearman has a rich history with the U.S. military. Vicky’s beautiful biplane served during WWII at army airbases in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, training young cadets to be sent overseas into battle, and her flying routine incorporates the maneuvers that the cadets would have learned in their training. Loops and rolls, low and slow, with lots of smoke and noise, Vicky’s Stearman performance is a crowd favorite. If you miss her performance on Wednesday afternoon, you can watch her performance on Saturday the 30th or Sunday the 31st in the afternoon airshow.
Vicky Benzing, a highly educated aviator, is known not just for her incredible aerobatic skills but also for being the Fastest Woman Ever at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada. An accomplished pilot, skydiver, aerobatic performer, and air racer with 9,500 hours of flight time and over 1,300 parachute jumps, Vicky has a passion for everything airborne. She is a strong proponent of pursuing an aviation education.
Vicky Benzing and CAU Team Up
Vicky Benzing and California Aeronautical University have teamed up to help expose more young people to the aviation world and to the possibility of starting an aviation career. According to a recent pilot outlook study by Boeing, we’re experiencing a global pilot shortage in which over 600,000 new pilots will be needed to fly and maintain the global commercial fleet over the next 20 years.
“Learning to fly absolutely changed my life,” says Benzing. “It’s such a confidence builder for young people. There are so many different facets that make up the aviation world that the career opportunities are almost unlimited, especially today. It’s a very exciting time in the aviation industry.”
Benzing and CAU’s Outreach Team Will Appear Together With Benzing at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022
California Aeronautical University’s outreach team will provide information about the different paths to becoming a pilot to aspiring aviators and will have one of their training aircraft on display. The CAU booth will be located in the University Commons, booth 69. CAU’s tribute aircraft, which features the names of all our fallen military heroes since 9/11/2001, will also be on display on AirVenture. The aircraft – a Beechcraft Baron B55 – will be at the American Airlines booth 502.
Quick Facts About Vicky
- Vicky loves to share her passion for flying with young people, which makes her partnership with California Aeronautical University a perfect fit.
- Not only is Vicky a record-breaking pilot – she also holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from UC Berkeley and was an executive in the high technology industry.
- Vicky competes every year at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada, where she was named Rookie of the Year during her first year of racing and in 2015, became the Fastest Woman at Reno with a qualification speed of 469.831 MPH.
- Vicky can be seen flying her Boeing Stearman in the film “Mercury 13,” a Netflix documentary that tells the remarkable true story of the women who fought for their place alongside male astronauts.
For coordination of interviews or additional information about WomenVenture, contact Monica Raymond at (661) 615-5915 x1122. Interviews with Vicky are available by appointment during the week at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022. Vicky will be available for autographs at the CAU booth during the afternoons she is not scheduled to fly.
About California Aeronautical University
California Aeronautical University (CAU) is preparing the next generation of aviation professionals. Serving students from all over the country, the University offers career-focused programs in aviation, aviation business, and aircraft maintenance. With on-airport locations throughout California and in Arizona that provide an ideal learning environment, CAU courses are delivered in a year-round, fast-paced schedule that enables students to enter the pipeline for aviation careers in a shorter amount of time.
Through the University’s strong partnerships with airlines, influential aviation organizations, and leaders in the aviation community, CAU graduates become a part of a larger aviation network and reap the benefits of these relationships, including direct access to several airline cadet programs. The University offers access to federal student financial aid, tuition reduction programs, and veteran educational benefits to those who qualify.
Ready to soar in your aviation career?
Tamu Smith-Kohls serves as the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing for California Aeronautical University. She has worked in the aviation industry in various roles for 24 years. As a United States Air Force retired veteran, she has a unique appreciation for the aviation industry. Tamu has served in Information Systems as a Network Administrator, Aerospace Flight Medicine as a Health Services Manager, and Air Force Recruitment and Marketing. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology; a Master’s in Business Administration and is a Certified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner. Her passion is motivating, training, coaching and serving others to reach their best potential.
Skip to content