Title:
ATC Was My Co-Pilot - Minnetta Gardinier - Chicago 99s Aviation Expo 2026
Topic:
Flying in IMC, Spatial Disorientation, Spin, and Recovery - An Amazing Story!
Speaker(s):
Minnetta Gardinier
Brief Description:
On Sunday, November 3, 2024, she was making a "routine" return flight from a 99s International Board of Directors Meeting in Oklahoma City (OKC). After a 6.5-hour flight down to OKC with a 45-55kt headwind, she was enjoying a very speedy 3-hour return flight thanks to great tailwinds. All was going well until the approach into her home base Iowa City (IOW). She suddenly experienced spatial disorientation. Due to a variety of factors, she failed to establish on the final approach path and experienced a spin in clouds while turning out for another approach attempt into IOW, pulling out just a few hundred feet from the ground as she emerged from the clouds. Great ATC support from Cedar Rapids (CID) assisted her with re-establishing her control of the flight and making a safe landing at IOW.
Minnetta Gardinier is a familiar face to many 99s and an avid fan of flying the Air Race Classic. She has accumulated nearly 3,000 hours over 20 years of flying her 1978 Cessna Cardinal Classic and has landed in 47 of the lower 48 States.
Select Number:
GL03141245
Location of Seminar:
Hilton Chicago/Northbrook
2855 Milwaukee Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062
Directions to Venue:
The Hilton Chicago/Northbrook is located south of Palatine Road (Willow Road) on the east side of Milwaukee Avenue.
View Map
Seating:
350
seats at the facility,
324
remaining for online registration.
Registration Information:
Sponsoring Division:
Greater Chicago FSDO FAASTeam
Additional Event Information & Acknowledgement of Industry Sponsor(s):
This event is organized, prepared, advertised, and presented by the volunteer efforts of the members of the Chicago Area Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, Inc, the International Organization of Women Pilots. Our intention is to provide quality educational content to improve and enhance the pilots' proficiency in our area, and to provide their non-pilot passengers with the knowledge to increase their comfort on flights with their pilots.
Equal Access Information:
The FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) is committed to providing equal access to this meeting/event for all participants. If you need alternative formats or services because of a disability, please communicate your request as soon as possible with the person in the “Contact Information” area of the meeting/event notice. Note that two weeks is usually required to arrange services.
Credit Applicability:
1 Credit for Advanced Knowledge Topic 2
FAASTeam Project Information:
NPP53,54
National Project:
Human Factors Promotion
Additional Event Documents:
