WASP Womens Air Force Service Pilots |
| Published in 1998, "Girls Can't Be Pilots" by Margaret Ringenberg & Jane Roth |
| The WASP Song words & music by LOES MONK 43-W-8 With the wind and the sand in our eyes And our goal placed up high in the skies We are the WASPS who serve the Air Corps so true, We're coming, just watch us ZOOM...down upon you! On through the storm and the sun Fly on till our mission is done From factory to base, let the WASPS set the pace, We're a thousand strong! |
| During her time as a WASP, she flew a PT-19, BT-13, AT-6 and UC-78. She got her first instrument clearance on a DC-3 and was a co-pilot on a B-24 and a C-54. Ringenberg received an order in December 1944 that her service was done and returned home, paying her own way. |
| Of more than 25,000 applications, only 1,830 were accepted, and she was one of 1,074 that graduated from flight school. |
| Published in 2001, "The Greatest Generation" by Tom Brokaw |
| Quick Link to the biography for Margaret Ringenberg |
| ©Copyrights may apply to any or all photos, text, or images. Thank you for visiting. |
| Welcome to GirlsCanFly.net homepage of Margaret Ringenberg, legendary aviator and 2008 Women in Aviation Hall of Fame inductee. Visit the About Margaret Page to learn more. |
She has been racing since 1957 in various races including the Powder Puff
Derby, the Classic Air Race, the Grand Prix, the Great Southern, the Denver Mile High, the Illi-
nines Air Race, the Kentucky Air Derby, the Indiana F.A.I.R, the Michigan SMALL Race and
others. She has won numerous times and has over 150 trophies. From the time she soloed in
1941 until she completed the 'Round-the-World' Air Race in 1994 at the age of 72, she has
logged over 40,000 hours. Margaret took THIRD place in the Air Race Classic this June 2008 at
the age of 87.She has been active in Girl Scouting, church activities, museum work and has been
a member of the 99s, an organization of women pilots, since 1945.
Tom Brokaw devoted a chapter to Margaret Ringenberg in his book, The Greatest
Generation. During an interview with Brokaw she said, “I started out flying because I wanted
to be a stewardess—you call them flight attendants nowadays—and I thought ‘what if the
pilot gets sick or needs help? I don’t know the first thing about airplanes and that’s where I
found my challenge. I never intended to solo or be a pilot. I found it was wonderful.”
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You've landed at the home page of Margaret J. Ringenberg, an
American aviator, who has logged more than 40,000 hours of flying time
during her career. Ringenberg began her aviation career in 1943 during
World War II when she became a ferry pilot with the Womens Air
Force Service Pilot (WASP). Although WASP pilots were not allowed
to fly combat missions, they served grueling, often dangerous duties, such
as ferrying, test flying and target towing. The WASP disbanded in 1944
and Margaret went on to become a flight instructor in 1945.
American aviator, who has logged more than 40,000 hours of flying time
during her career. Ringenberg began her aviation career in 1943 during
World War II when she became a ferry pilot with the Womens Air
Force Service Pilot (WASP). Although WASP pilots were not allowed
to fly combat missions, they served grueling, often dangerous duties, such
as ferrying, test flying and target towing. The WASP disbanded in 1944
and Margaret went on to become a flight instructor in 1945.
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"Maggie Ray, World War II Air Force Pilot," by Margaret's daughter Marsha J Wright. Wright brings you the exciting story beginning when Magaret was ten through the war's end. |
| Aviation pioneer and beloved legend Margaret Ray Ringenberg, 87, died peacefully in her sleep near Oshkosh where she was preparing to mentor girls in the SOAR program and participate in AirAdventure. Memorial A visitation and memorial service will be held August 5th at 10:00 a.m. 2008, at Grabill Missionary Church, 13637 State St., Grabill, Indiana. |