2772 Donald Douglas Loop North   (  Santa Monica, California 90405  

(310) 392-8822  Ext. 506  (  Fax  (310) 450-6956

 PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                                   

January 17, 2001

For further information, contact:  Marilyn McPoland

(310) 392-8822, ext. 506

Katherine Cheung

Inducted into Aviation Hall of Fame

Santa Monica, CA -- Museum of Flying --- On March 4^th  the Museum of Flying honored Katherine Cheung by inducting her into the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame. Katherine Cheung was the first Asian American aviatrix in 1932.

 Katherine Cheung first took to the skies at the age of 17 yrs. After 12 ½ hours, she soloed for the first time. Although Katherine never set speed and endurance records, she did regularly enter competitive air races, and thrilled thousands of spectators performing aerobatics at airshows all over the country.  Katherine is listed in the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum as the nation’s first Asian aviatrix.  The Beijing air Force Aviation Museum calls her “China’s Amelia Earhart.” 

The 1:00pm Ceremony was conducted by the Women In Aviation organization.  The Chinese Consul General presented the “Hall of Fame” plaque to Ms. Cheung.  A traditional Chinese lion dance followed to bring her luck. 

Just prior to the ceremony at noon, a play written about Katherine Cheung, Into the Blue, was performed by Josephine Chien.  Ms. Chien first performed this play in the presence of Katherine Cheung at the Museum of Flying in 1999. 

In addition to the Induction Ceremony, the Museum of Flying has teamed up with the Pacific Asia Museum of Pasadena to hold a Chinese Cultural Day in honor of Katherine Cheung. Visitors had fun participating in such activities as Chinese brush painting, Chinese knotting, and bookmarker calligraphy.  There was also Tai Chi demos.   The day’s activities were from 11am to 4pm.  Other aviation organizations involved were: Association of Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM), and the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation. 

The Museum of Flying is a 501C3 non-profit organization.