The Southeast Section proudly congratulates two members who have recently earned the FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, recognizing at least 50 years of civil and/or military piloting or aircraft operations experience.
The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award is one of aviation’s most prestigious honors. Established by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2003, it recognizes pilots who have demonstrated professionalism, aviation expertise, and a commitment to safe flight operations over at least 50 years during their aviation careers. Recipients receive a certificate and commemorative pin in recognition of their remarkable achievement and dedication to aviation safety.
Janice Pelletti, founder and longtime Chair of the Appalachian Aviatrixes Chapter and former Southeast Section Governor, has just received this prestigious recognition.
Janice began flying in 1976 and went on to build an extraordinary career spanning 50 years and more than 9,700 flight hours. She worked as a flight instructor, EMS captain, and FAA Designated Pilot Examiner before joining the FAA, where she served as a General Aviation Inspector and later managed the Jackson, Mississippi FSDO.
Her qualifications include an ATP certificate, DC-9 and BE300 type ratings, Commercial Glider privileges, and Gold Seal Flight Instructor certification. Janice retired from the FAA in 2009 and continues to fly her A-36 Bonanza, pictured. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she has devoted decades to mentoring and supporting the aviation community through The Ninety-Nines, Civil Air Patrol, FAAST, and numerous aviation education initiatives.
Janice is a legacy member of The Ninety-Nines, following in her mother’s footsteps, and has been a dedicated and active member since January 1977. We are proud to celebrate Janice’s more than five decades of aviation, safety, mentorship, and service to The Ninety-Nines and the aviation community. Congratulations, Janice, on this well-deserved honor!
The Southeast Section also proudly congratulates Carolyn Pasqualino of the Florida Suncoast Chapter on receiving the prestigious FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. Carolyn began flying with her first solo on November 14, 1974, and has accumulated an extraordinary 27,100 flight hours over more than five decades of accident-, incident-, and violation-free flying.
Carolyn’s impressive aviation career includes serving as a Part 135 charter pilot, corporate pilot, and United Airlines pilot from 1985 to 2021. During her 36 years with United, she spent 28 years as a captain and flew the 737, 757, 767, 747-400, and 777. The 747-400 was a particular favorite; Carolyn flew the aircraft across five continents and had hoped to retire on it before the fleet was retired. She currently owns four aircraft: a Cessna 120, Cessna 170, Beech B33 Debonair, and the Beechcraft T-34B Mentor pictured here. She holds ATP MEL and Commercial SEL & SES certificates and is typed in the B747-400, B777, B767, B757, B737, CE500, and CE560XL.
Inspired by watching space program launches on television beginning in first grade, Carolyn has spent a lifetime pursuing her passion for flight. She has been a member of The Ninety-Nines in Oklahoma, Chicago, and Florida Suncoast, and has also served in various committee roles with the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) and as a board member of the International Society of Women Airline Pilots, where she has been a continuous member since 1986.
The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award holds special meaning for Carolyn, as it recognizes more than 50 years of safe flying throughout an extraordinary aviation career.
Congratulations, Carolyn, on this remarkable achievement!