Corbi Bulluck has been installed as international president of The Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots.
In a first for the 90-year-old organization, Bulluck, a North Carolina native, was installed via a virtual ceremony after the 99s annual meeting was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bulluck, who will serve as president through 2022, previously served as vice president and director, and was on several committees, including chairman of strategic planning. She designed the framework for Friends of The 99s, a separate non-profit organization formed to support The 99s. She also served as governor of the eight-state southeast Section.
After earning a Masters Degree in Education, Bulluck taught for eight years before pursuing an aviation career. She was a flight instructor at FlightSafety International in Vero Beach, Florida, before flying for six years for Atlantic Southeast Airlines, a Delta Air Lines regional airline, earning the rank of captain on the EMB-120.
Bulluck retired in 2018 from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, having spent 20 years as its first female pilot and an executive pilot, flying state officials and high-precision aerial photography. She is still a contract pilot with the state.
Corbi owns a Piper Dakota and has flown in each of the last five Air Race Classic air races with three Top 10 finishes, including first place in 2019. She has logged almost 10,000 hours, with over 8,000 multiengine.
Other officers installed were Terry Carbonell, Vice President (Florida); Cathy Prudhomme, Secretary (Texas); Leslie Prellwitz, Treasurer (Illinois); Directors Monica Randolph-Graham (Texas) and Robin Hadfield (Canada). Returning Directors are Dee Bond (New Zealand) and Minnetta Gardinier (Iowa).
The 99s is the world’s oldest organization exclusively for women pilots. Founded in November 1929, the organization is named for the number of charter members.
Hi In the 1980’s, I was employed with Bell Helicopter. Texas. A lady, named, name of Dora Daughtery, also a Bell employee, I believe she was a 99’er, engineered a position, studied helicopter cockpit designs, for the Cobra, 422, others. I had worked and assisted her with many helo panel designs, and cockpit control functions, safety, etc. She often related stories of ferrying aircraft for use in England, Army Air Force then. She was taken for a ride in the Confederate AF, B-29, and controlled it. Just a short story, of Dora, she went pilots West 2+ years ago. Enjoyed Dora’s working friendship. My story, when her name was noted. chuck, Texas.
Congratulations, President Bulluck and The Ninety-Nines. An inspiring, affirming story for those of us, women or men, who supposedly came late to aviation. Aviation will get through the current challenges.
Keep flying!