April 25, 2026 | Starting at 10:30amWomen of Aviation Fly-In
The Harriet Quimby Women of Aviation Fly-In is a special event hosted at the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport (KBEH), created to celebrate women in aviation and inspire the next generation of flyers, leaders, and dreamers.
Mission
Our mission is to celebrate and elevate women in aviation by creating a welcoming space where stories, experiences, and career pathways can be shared. Through community connection, education, and inspiration, we aim to open doors for the next generation, promote inclusivity in aviation, and encourage more women and girls to see themselves in the skies.
Vision
Through this fly-in, we aim to inspire a future where women and girls from every background feel welcomed in aviation, empowered to pursue their goals, and supported as they lead, innovate, and help shape the skies in Southwest Michigan and beyond.
Event Details
Women of Aviation Fly-in
Date: April 25th, 2026
Time: Start at 10:30AM to 3:30PM
KBEH) Southwest Michigan Regional Airport - 1123 Territorial Rd, Benton Harbor, Michigan
Social hour with breakfast available
10:30am
Dedication by Gabi Fiesbeck
11:30am
Sarah Deal Burrow
12:00pm
Lifetime Achievement Award
12:30pm
Fly-in awards
12:45pm
Roundtable Discussion and Presentations
1:00pm to 3:00pm
Food trucks will be on site throughout the day, with food available for purchase. Please note that the schedule is subject to change.
About Harriet Quimby
Harriet Quimby was a trailblazing American aviator, journalist, and screenwriter who made history in the early days of flight. In 1911, she became the first American woman to earn a pilot’s license, issued by the Aero Club of America. At a time when aviation was new and often considered dangerous, Quimby boldly stepped into the cockpit and helped prove that women belonged in the skies.
In 1912, she became the first woman to fly solo across the English Channel, completing the journey from England to France. Although her achievement was overshadowed in the headlines by the sinking of the Titanic just days earlier, her accomplishment remains a milestone in aviation history.
Known for her distinctive purple satin flying suit, Quimby challenged social expectations and inspired women to pursue careers and adventures beyond traditional roles. Her courage, independence, and determination continue to make her a symbol of progress and possibility in aviation and women’s history.
