CAF Airbase Georgia to Display 2 WWII Aircraft at Girls in Aviation Day

Two restored World War II aircraft from Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia will be part of this year’s annual Girls in Aviation Day Sept. 16 at Covington Municipal Airport, Covington, Ga. Women in Aviation International (WAI) arranges the entire day dedicated to inspiring young women and girls to explore careers in aviation. Activities are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Airbase Georgia, based in Peachtree City, Ga., will be displaying its popular P-51 Mustang, “Red Nose”, and a rare P-63 Kingcobra meticulously restored by the Airbase a few years ago, and named “Miss Betty” in honor of a Georgia woman who actually worked on building it. Betty Bishop was one of thousands of “Rosie the Riveter” women who staffed America’s factories during WWII. Some costumed “Rosies” from Airbase Georgia also will participate.

Photo courtesy of C. S. Smith.

“One of the key missions of the CAF and Airbase Georgia is to inspire young people to pursue careers in aviation, which fits perfectly with this event hosted by the Wheels Down South chapter of WAI,” said Airbase leader Joel Perkins. “Approximately 250 young people will have the opportunity to enjoy a full day dedicated to aviation.”

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.