Caroline Benson's WINGS!

My name is Penny Pollard. I am fundraising for my young friend, 17 year old, Cadet of Distinction, Caroline Benson. Here is Caroline's story...

In 1929 Amelia Earhart and her female pilot colleagues founded the National Women's Air Derby, an arduous cross-country race to demonstrate to their detractors that women could pilot successfully in all conditions. They proved it then, but with nearly 100 years of flying history, female pilots still represent fewer than 6% of pilots worldwide. This all-female cross-country race continues today, and is now called the Air Race Classic.

Enter 17-year-old Caroline Benson, who joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) the summer after 7th grade. Already interested in aerospace and drone flight, Caroline learned from a friend that one of the incentives for joining the Civil Air Patrol was that all cadets are eligible for 5 one-hour flights. On her very first orientation flight she was hooked on flying, and began looking for any opportunity to do so.

In the summer of 2022, Caroline attended CAP Glider-Flight Academy. After one intensive week of flight and studies, she qualified to fly the glider unaccompanied, a solo flight. She described it as a “surreal and incredible experience.”

This past summer of 2023, Caroline was selected to attend a CAP National Flight Academy, the only CAP cadet from Maine to be chosen. A prestigious appointment.

Caroline’s aviation studies at the flight academy deepened, focusing on the single-engine aircraft. She was in a class of 14 elite cadets from across the nation. The week included ten hours of flying and a multitude of ground school lessons. At the graduation from the fight academy, Caroline was named Cadet of Distinction. Within a week of returning home, Caroline was able to solo pilot a Cessna 172 at Portland Jetport.

Now, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has emerged. Caroline has been tapped to co-pilot a Cessna 172, in the 2024 Air Race Classic, the annual race launched by Amelia Earhart. Each year, 60 all-female teams from around the world fly over 2400 miles in a 4-day cross-country race. To qualify however, Caroline must achieve her private pilot’s license.

Caroline needs approximately 60 additional hours of flight time, costing $250 an hour, a prodigious expense that is out of reach for Caroline and her family. Additionally, the estimated participation cost of the Air Race Classic is $5000 for her team.

We are hoping to get as close as possible to raising $20,000. This would allow Caroline to earn her Private Pilot's License this winter, and to fly across the finish line in the Air Race Classic in June of 2024.

We are so grateful for your support and for sharing Caroline's story. We want to get this young woman her wings!