You've landed at the About Margaret page of Margaret J. Ringenberg, an American
aviator, who has logged more than 40,000 hours of flying time during her career. She authored
her own book titled, "Girls Can’t Be Pilots." In 1999 she received the NAA Elder Statesman
in Aviation Award in a presentation ceremony in Washington, D.C. In 1998 she addressed 1000
cadets at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and received a standing
ovation. She is currently flying and speaking about her experiences. She was married to banker,
Morris Ringenberg, for over 54 years. "In 2003 I lost my greatest fan," stated Margaret
Ringenberg regarding the passing of her husband. He is survived by Margaret, their two children
and five grandchildren.
A great-grandmother now, Ringenberg said she still loves to fly and enjoys remaining active.
She recently went to the Indianapolis Speedway and took a lap in an Indy-style race car with
driver Sarah Fisher, age 23, who placed to start the 500-mile race in row 5. “I went 180 miles
an hour on the backstretch,” Ringenberg said. In June of 2005 at the age of 84 she flew the
Air Race Classic and placed in the top 10.
In October 2006 Ringenberg was invited to the dedication of the Air Force Memorial in
Washington D.C. She along with 13 other WASP pilots were just two rows away from
President Bush when he officially received the memorial on behalf of the nation. She received a
beautiful numbered Air Force Medallion.
At the age of 85 Ringenberg assures audiences that is not ready to retire to the rocking chair.
“I can hardly wait to see what the next twenty years bring for me.”
| Adele Fogle, Daphne Schiff and Margaret Ringenberg took off from Montreal on May 1 in the 1994 Round the World Air Race |
| Aviation Links & News Stories |
| Winners Photo 2003 Air Race to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Photo credit: Denise Waters and Ruth Maestre Race from London to Sydney www.racedr.com |
| In March of 2001 Margaret flew in the London to Sydney, Australia, race. In 2003, she competed in a race that took her to Kitty Hawk, N.C., during the Centennial of Flight year. In June of 2002 Margaret and her 18-year-old granddaughter, Jaala, flew to Houston where Margaret addressed the astronauts and others at the Johnson Space Center. In June of 2003, Margaret placed 2nd in the Air Race Classic with a flyby over historic Kitty Hawk .She spoke in the history tent on Bob Dole’s birthday at the opening of the Dole Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. She was also interviewed, while flying, for a special Today Show segment on “Ladies in their Eighties.” |
W A S P |
About Margaret Ringenberg
 |  |  |
| Welcome to www.GirlsCanFly.net Email Margaret's daughter and author, Marsha Wright: go |
| ©Copyrights may apply to any or all photos, text, images. Thank you for visiting. |
Answers To Frequently Asked Questions about Margaret. Begin Q and A's here. |
