RIDLEY-THOMAS HONORS 15-YEAR-OLD PILOT WHO MADE RECORD CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT

 

NEWS

                                             Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas

                                                                    L.A. County Board of Supervisors, 2^nd District

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 14, 2009                                                                                                                      Contact:    Aurelio Rojas 213-974-2222

                                                                                                                                                                                        James Bolden 213-200-5314  

 

SUPERVISOR RIDLEY-THOMAS HONORS 15-YEAR-OLD

PILOT WHO MADE RECORD CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT

 

 KIMBERLY ANYADIKE  BECOMES YOUNGEST AFRICAN-AMERICAN  FEMALE TO FLY ACROSS THE U.S. SOLO

 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY -- Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas today honored 15-year-old Kimberly Anyadike, the youngest African American female to fly solo across country.

 

The Supervisor praised the Inglewood resident for making aviation history piloting a single-engine Cessna across the country, from Compton Woodley Airport to Newport News, Virginia.

 

The teenager was accompanied to the Board meeting by her parents and Robin Petgrave, founder of Compton-based Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum (TAM), which sponsored the cross-country trek.

 

Anyadike took off from Compton Woodley Airport on June 29, landing several times along the way to the east coast before touching back down in Compton last Saturday. 

 

She dedicated her two-week journey to the legendary Tuskegee Airmen for their service and valor during World War II. Her journey earned worldwide news coverage.  Anyadike made the flight with an adult safety pilot, Ronell Norman and Levi Thornhill, who served with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

 

“I am thoroughly impressed with this young lady because she not only dreamed of making this trip to not be in the spotlight, but in an effort to inspire fellow youth to believe in themselves,” the Supervisor said. 

 

Anyadike has been flying out of Compton Woodley Airport since she was 12 years old.

 

 “I commend TAM founder Robin Petgrave for his vision and aeronautical expertise, as he continues the work that he does, brightening the futures of our youth and providing them the opportunity to experience triumphant and historical accomplishments as future leaders,” the Supervisor said.

 

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