Welcome to the October 2025 issue of On The Fly, proudly presented by Total Investment Management!
Friends,
Thank you to everyone who has participated in our 35th anniversary history publication. We’ve heard from over a thousand so far, well beyond what we could have hoped for this early in the project! Reading through some of what’s been shared, I’m reminded of what NGPA has meant for me since I became a member, and the strong community we’ve built.
As one member shares in their own words, “As a longtime member of the aviation community, I had never truly felt connected to people who shared my experiences - until then [joining NGPA]. When I went to the Gotham Flyers chapter in my city. I was immediately welcomed with open arms. The person who organized the local chapter gave me invaluable guidance and insights. For the first time, I felt like I truly belonged somewhere within the aviation world. Even though it was my initial visit, they made me feel accepted and appreciated, no matter who I was or where I came from. Being part of a relatively small, close-knit community allowed the Gotham Flyers to provide a level of support and camaraderie I had been missing. At larger events, it's easy to feel lost in the crowd, but here I truly felt like I was part of something special. Looking ahead, I'd love to see the NGPA continue growing and reaching more people like myself.”
The 2025 Cape Cod Classic, held September 11-15th in Provincetown, Massachusetts, was truly a special weekend! For the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was completely sold out, welcoming over 250 attendees. With such an outstanding turnout, NGPA also proudly commenced its 35th Anniversary Celebration, a milestone that reflects our organization’s enduring strength and community spirit. Combined with perfect weather, this year’s Classic was nothing short of unforgettable.
This weekend brought some exciting updates to the schedule. The well-known Saturday Airport Lunch and Queen of the Fleet Fly-In was moved to Saturday Night and combined with the Saturday Night Reception, creating a lively evening full of community, connection, and energy.
For the first time, NGPA introduced a “Build Your Own Adventure” program, encouraging members to participate in small-group outings organized by NGPA volunteers. Whether it was a scenic bike tour through Provincetown, a relaxing stroll through downtown shops, or the beloved Afternoon Sail, these experiences offered fresh opportunities for members to connect and create lasting memories. These new additions brought an exciting level of engagement and helped make the weekend even more memorable.
Back by popular demand, was an educational session led by D.C. Chapter Director Russ Prechtl, who shared insights from his Air Force flying career and offered valuable lessons for aviators of all levels. We are excited to explore more educational opportunities for our members at future events.
Board Member Zac Matthews and the Vertical Aviation Committee arranged two thrilling demonstrations: a visit from the Boston Med Flight helicopter, and a special Coast Guard flyover, both organized for NGPA attendees. These experiences brought the spirit of aviation to life and underscored the weekend’s sense of excitement and fellowship.
Overall, it was an incredible event filled with camaraderie, learning, and celebration. We can’t wait to see everyone again next year for the 2026 Cape Cod Classic, happening September 17- 20, 2026!
Save the Date! The Metroplex Flyers are planning to ring in the holiday season with a very special HoliGay soirée December 6th at 6:30pm.
We are so excited to announce that hometown airline and Proud NGPA Titanium Sponsor, American Airlines, will be hosting the NGPA in their beautiful Ballroom at Skyview 6 on American's Robert L. Crandall Campus in Fort Worth, Texas.
We are very grateful to American Airlines for hosting us at their venue for FREE and for being a long-time and strong supporter of the NGPA community.
We are also delighted to welcome members of American Airlines' PRIDE Employee Business Resource Group! We hope you will join us to celebrate and make some new friends in NGPA.
Expect a buffet, music, entertainment, door prizes, and a fun and festive atmosphere! Attendees will receive drink tickets good for domestic beer, wine, and well cocktails. Contactless payment bar available.
Registration is open to all NGPA members. Click here to Register.
Please Note: Attendees must register by November 22nd in order to notify American Airlines of attendees.
Interested in helping out at the event? Please email [email protected] with your availability.
This month's Mentorship Spotlight is an exceptional new aviator who never thought that becoming a pilot would be a possibility. Meet Dr. Danielle Kerr, an NGPA member since 2024, who holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration and currently works in the tech field. Although highly accomplished in her own career, Danielle knew that she was destined to become a pilot after growing up fascinated with aircraft mechanics and hearing about Delta's annual Dreamflight. However, as with many of us getting started in the aviation field, the looming question of "where do I start?" presented the first major obstacle.
For Danielle, the first step after her introductory flight was to join the NGPA. As she emphasizes, the mentorship program that NGPA provides was a huge motivator to get involved, and the community and information that she received from her role as a mentee helped her take her first steps towards her dream of becoming a professional aviator.
Danielle is a huge advocate for finding the right fit as your mentor, and was not afraid to reach out to a variety of different mentors through the NGPA Qooper portal before she found her right fit in the form of Elissa Larden. Together, the pair helped Danielle get her first steps towards becoming a Delta pilot "off the ground." Since connecting, Danielle has accomplished some major milestones, including her first solo in August and her first solo cross-country on her birthday earlier this month.
Danielle embodies some of the best qualities that a mentee who is looking to get the most out of the program can possess. She emphasizes that mentorship is a two-way street, and that investing time into the relationship with your mentor can pay off tenfold through knowledge and guidance. Danielle loved that she had "someone in her corner" while she was getting started, and appreciated the reminder that she was on her own journey through aviation training. Danielle highlighted that her mentor never expected her to follow the exact same path as any other pilot and that there are infinite ways to achieve the same goal at the end of the road.
Danielle is excited to continue her aviation path and plans to continue straight into her instrument rating after tackling her PPL. Excitingly, she was accepted into the Delta Propel program this month, and has already set her sights on flying a Delta jet in the (not too distant!) future.
In her free time, Danielle puts herself to the test by running ultramarathons and dancing to Janet Jackson. Recently married and with one son, her days are certainly busier than ever! Congratulations Danielle on your recent accomplishments, and we can't wait to see how far you fly!
Believe it or not, the 2026 Winter Warm-Up & Industry Expo is right around the corner, taking place February 5-8, 2026, in beautiful Palm Springs, California! The NGPA Winter Warm-Up is our flagship event, bringing together more than 2,000 attendees to reconnect with old friends, make new memories, and celebrate the vibrant spirit of NGPA. This year’s event is already highly anticipated and promises to be one of our best yet.
We’ll see several exciting updates in 2026! The beloved Queen of the Fleet Fly-In will now take place during the Friday Night Reception, hosted for the first time at the Signature Flight Support Hangar, a new venue compared to past years at the Palm Springs Air Museum. This change opens up room in the schedule for the introduction of our popular “Build Your Own Adventure” program, first launched at the 2025 Cape Cod Classic. The program encourages members to connect in smaller groups through shared experiences such as a bike tour of Palm Springs, a Palm Springs Tram adventure, or simply relaxing poolside at the Solar Soak, now taking place on Saturday afternoon, rather than Sunday afternoons like prior years.
We are also proud to once again host the much-anticipated NGPA Gala, where our community comes together to celebrate one another, recognize outstanding members, and award more than $500,000 in scholarships. This year’s Gala will feature comedian Maddie Wiener, known for her appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the You Up podcast with Nikki Glaser, and as a writer for Saturday Night Live. With an elegant dinner surrounded by friends, the 2026 Gala is sure to live up to its reputation.
Of course, planning this incredible weekend doesn’t come without its challenges. As the cost of goods and services continues to rise nationwide for all, NGPA has worked diligently to balance event expenses while maintaining affordability for attending members. Despite cost increases exceeding 30% in some areas, the Events Committee has ensured that student ticket prices remain unchanged, and standard ticket prices have risen only modestly, about $10, or roughly 2% over 2025, all without compromising the quality or experience our members expect.
We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Palm Springs for another unforgettable Winter Warm-Up. It’s the perfect way to celebrate our community, our mission, and the aviation family that makes NGPA so special. See you February 5-8!
NOV. 5 | NEW YORK CITY
Gotham Flyers | Dinner at Joanne Trattoria
Arch City Aviators | Happy Hour & Dinner @ Black Sheep Kitchen in the Short North
NOV. 12 | CHARLOTTE
Queen City Flyers | Meet & Drink @ Pilot Brewing
NOV. 12 | WOMEN'S COMMITTEE
Wine Down Wednesday at 8pm- Register Here
NOV. 14 | WASHINGTON D.C.
Out on the Runway | November Happy Hour
NOV. 15 | NEW YORK CITY
Gotham Flyers | November Mixer at Toolbox in the UES
NOV. 16 | SALT LAKE CITY
Wasatch Wings | Friendsgiving
NOV. 18 | MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL
Twin City Flyers | November Game Night
NOV. 19 | NEW YORK CITY
Arch City Aviators | Meal Service Volunteer at the GMHC
NOV. 22 | COLUMBUS
Arch City Aviators | Friendsgiving
NOV. 23 | CHICAGO
Windy City Flyers | NGPA Chicago Gives Thanks at Sidetrack!
NOV. 29 | HOUSTON
Gulf Coast Flyers | Christmas Party Click here to Register.
DEC. 6 | HOUSTON
Gulf Coast Flyers | Food Bank Drop-off: Houston Food Bank
DEC. 6 | DALLAS/FT. WORTH
MetroPlex Flyers | 2025 HoliGay Soirée Click here to Register.
DEC. 6 | CHICAGO
Windy City Flyers | Holiday Party
DEC. 6 | LOS ANGELES
La La Land Flyers | Goodyear Blimp Tour and Toys for Tots Donation Drive
DEC. 10 | MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL
Twin City Flyers | December Holiday Potluck
Aerospace never stands still. Technologies evolve, procedures shift, and tomorrow’s discoveries emerge because today’s researchers — and students — devote themselves to exploring the unknown.
At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Worldwide Campus, you are invited to join this momentum. Students receive guidance from a faculty who has shaped the future of flight — from plan to policy, launch to landing — through programs that combine technical mastery with a spirit of discovery.
Many Embry-Riddle graduates have gone on to become entrepreneurs, creating new aviation technologies that continue to shape the industry, others as astronauts collaborating with NASA or SpaceX, or authors and innovators who bridge science with imagination. Each story begins the same way: with education that keeps pace with change.
Thanks for reading! See you next month for another issue of OTF.
NGPA - The Worldwide LGBTQ+ Aviation Community