| Melissa
Pemberton
 Melissa
attended several years at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
studying Aeronautical Science and Mathematics. A native of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Melissa was introduced to aviation and
aerobatics by her flying grandmother in a Cessna 150 Aerobat -
the same airplane she took to EAA AirVenture as a newly minted
private pilot in 2002 after learning to fly with her
grandfather, Leo Janssens . During her 2003 trip to Oshkosh,
Melissa saw the "Stars of Tomorrow 2003" program,
sponsored by Sean D. Tucker and Mike Goulian. They mentored six
future air show pilots to start the new program and introduce
young talent to the Oshkosh AirVenture audience.
Inspired by the program's
outreach to young pilots, Melissa returned to Arizona with a
determination to learn and compete in Aerobatics and began
training with Major General Hank Canterbury. In less than one
year under the coaching of Sergei Boriak and the mentoring of
Wayne Handley, Melissa went from first-time Aerobatic Contestant
at the Sportsman Level to Third Place Overall in Intermediate at
the 2004 U.S. National Championships (1st place Unknown, 2nd
place Known, 3rd place Freestyle) and began to fly her first air
shows. On October 26, 2004, Sean D. Tucker invited Melissa to be
one of three pilots chosen for the "Stars of Tomorrow
2005."
After competing at the Advanced
level with her Pitts S-2C while achieving her "Building,
Antenna, Span and Earth" jumps in 2005, Melissa received
delivery of her new Zivco Edge 540. In the summer of 2006 she
began competing at the Unlimited level in which she placed 1st
at her first competition of the season. Melissa became the
youngest female ever to be a member of the US Unlimited
Aerobatic Team at the 2006 Nationals. Instead she is spending
her season touring around Australia with her Edge.
Melissa strives to be a positive
role model and inspiration to young people in aviation and women
across the world showing them that no dream is too big and
nothing is impossible! She was a keynote speaker at the 99's
International Convention in 2006 and is always looking for
invitations to share her dreams and experiences with others. |
THE
PLANE 
