Women pilots enjoy screening of 'Amelia'

Two days before “Amelia” opened in theaters nationwide, preview screenings were held across the country for members of The Ninety-Nines Inc., an international women’s pilot organization whose first elected president was aviator Amelia Earhart.

In Tucson, “Amelia” screened Wednesday evening at the Century El Con Theater and a contingent of local members of the Tucson chapter of Ninety-Nines and their guests attended.

Earhart, who captured the heart of the nation in the mid-1930s, is among the most famous missing persons of all time. At 40, she and navigator Fred Noonan were attempting to circle the globe when their plane disappeared July 2, 1937, over the Pacific Ocean.

The government launched the greatest search in history to no avail.

“Amelia” — the film

Two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank plays Earhart and Richard Gere is cast as her husband, George Putnam.

The film’s running time of 111 minutes literally flew by. The photography and cinematography left viewers feeling as if they were in an Imax Theatre — either on the runway or in the cockpit with Earhart.

In the film, Earhart says, “Flying let me move in three dimensions.” She referred to herself as “a vagabond of the air.”

Among the women from the Tucson Chapter of Ninety-Nines was one young woman who received her private pilot’s license that afternoon. Another has been flying for 62 years.

Christina Patchett, 23, came dressed as a pilot complete with leather jacket, helmet and goggles.

The film crew circled the globe in making the movie. Filmed in several locations in Nova Scotia and Ontario, Canada scenes were also filmed in South Africa and Hawaii.

Local reactions

Green Valley pilot Nancy Lammers, who with her husband, Peter, owns a Cessna 182, said she loved the aerial shots from the movie.

“I felt more of a connection with Amelia Earhart when she mentioned the Ninety-Nines in the film,” she said. “I felt we’re continuing her legacy.”

Membership chairman of the Tucson chapter, Anne Silverman, said, “We know so much about her as a Ninety-Nine but this brought her to life.”

Licensed to fly two weeks ago, Laura Zaccaria said she loved the film. “I wish I could look forward to have those adventures myself,” she said.

Calling the film “wonderful,” Mearl Frame said she couldn’t believe how much Hilary Swank looked like Earhart.

RotorCraft pilot Britta Penca appeared ebullient after the film.

“I was delighted to see the snapshot and headline in which she set the altitude record in a gyroplane,” she said.

“Marvelous” and “very well done” was how pilot of 62 years Lorraine Newhouse rated the film, but added, “I wish the ending was different.”

E-mailing from her home in Colorado, Emily Howell-Warner, who was the first female commercial pilot in the United States, and who spends winters in Green Valley with her husband, said she was 18 when she joined the Ninety-Nines 50 years ago.

“When I was very young my mother told me about her. I was named after my mother, but she said our names — Amelia and Emily — were very much like each other.

“After I started flying I really got interested in her history. I’m a stamp collector and have the first day of issue cover envelope with her stamp.

“So I have followed her story and the Ninety-Nines over the years.”

Contact Green Valley freelance writer Ellen Sussman at ellen2414@cox.net.

Who are the Ninety Nines?

Learn more as we share stories of “Hometown Heroes” from across Southern Arizona next month.