In 2008 I relocated to Ventura, CA and soon after had the opportunity to join the team at CP Aviation. Clay and Judy were warm and welcoming and as I write this am still a member of the team. Last Fall Judy was diagnosed with Stage Four Cancer. She faced the challenge with every fiber of her being, was positive and shared her special gift with all of us. She is loved, respected and has left an indelible imprint on everyone who knew her as a friend, an instructor, a successful business owner and Designated Pilot Examiner.
Her extraordinary community of friends hosted a celebration of her life while she was still with us, and a celebration it was! It was such an amazing experience to hear the stories and be part of the love and respect that everyone shared that night at The Flying Spoon.
I have been an aviation educator at CP Aviation, for eighteen years, during which time I have been sitting in the “right seat” watching Judy manage and grow her business, along with Clay, into a very well regarded flight training organization; recognized for its’ commitment to safety and excellence and welcoming to anyone wanting to pursue a passion for flying. Her role as a Designated Pilot Examiner was something that she embraced and allowed her to have an indirect positive impact on all pilots that she had the privilege to evaluate.
Rich Stowell was a mentor for Judy as she embraced the skills required to teach and grow the Emergency Maneuver Training Program at CP Aviation. Rich posted about Judy, that expresses how special she was. “Master Flight Instructor, colleague, friend. She surpassed her mentor and showed the rest of us what it means to be an aviation educator”.
Her commitment to encouraging women, regardless of age, to pursue flying and have fun every step of the way was important to her. Hiring female instructors to make the flight school environment welcoming to women and balancing the energy in and around CP Aviation were actions that are rarely seen at other flight schools. Seeing her every year at AirVenture, volunteering her time with young women at the Girls on the Fly event was another example of her passion for aviation and making it welcoming and accessible to the next generation of women in aviation. Judy was a proud member of the Ventura County 99’s and they were integral to the celebration of her life.
Judy was the 2011 CFI of the Year, 2010 Western Pacific Region Flight Instructor of the Year, 2008 Professional Woman Pilot of the Year, Southwest Section (Ventura County 99’s). She is a Master Instructor Emeritus-Aerobatic having been recognized as a Master Instructor for more than 20 years. These recognitions are well deserved and recognize that since she jumped in an airplane in 1994, she has been a role model for many and will be missed. Her spirit will always live on at Santa Paula Airport. 🌸🌸🌸