Our chapter matriarch, Fran Bera, was a legendary aviator who flew for over 70 years, amassing more than 25,000 flight hours. She passed away in February 2018 at the age of 93.

Fran's journey into aviation began at age 16 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With $80 in hand, she walked into a flight school and declared her intent to become a pilot. Her parents were unaware of her aerial aspirations until she needed their signatures for her solo flight. Though surprised, they were supportive.

She saved money for four years by skipping lunch to fund her after-school flying lessons.

Thus began her remarkable 75-year career in aviation. Fran's extensive experience included ferrying surplus aircraft after World War II, flight instructing, running her own flight school, and serving as an Experimental test pilot. She logged over 25,000 flight hours and became a trailblazer in the field.

At age 23, Fran became the youngest, and one of the first, female designated pilot examiners. However, she had to wait until she turned 24, the minimum age at the time, to begin administering flight tests. Fran also worked as a sales and demonstration pilot for Beech and Piper Aircraft for many years, even naming the popular Beechcraft Duchess airplane.

When asked about discrimination in the male-dominated world of aviation, Fran responded with characteristic wit: “I was having so much fun getting paid for what I loved to do that I didn’t realize that I wasn’t ‘liberated.’”

Fran's true passion was air racing, where she became one of the sport's most successful pilots. She competed in the All-Women’s Transcontinental Air Race, known as the “Powder Puff Derby,” twenty times, winning it a record seven times, placing six times, and showing four. She also excelled in the Palms to Pines Air Races, winning, placing, or showing in 14 consecutive races. Her achievements extended to the International Women’s Air Race, the National Championship Air Races in Reno, and the Great Race from London, England, to Victoria, British Columbia. Among her numerous honors is the prestigious 2011 Katherine Wright Award from the National Aeronautic Association.

In 1993, Fran flew her Piper Cherokee 235 to Siberia "just for the fun of it." Later, she traded the Cherokee for a Piper Comanche 260B, saying, “I’m getting older and need to get places faster.” As a 70th birthday present to herself, Fran earned a Citation Jet type rating.

“I’m going to wear out, not rust out,” she famously said, embodying the spirit that defined her extraordinary life in aviation.