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Women of LSFM

In honor of Women’s History Month, we highlight the women who keep their heads in the clouds and make our collection of aircraft soar!

BK Power – Director of Visitor Experience

What do you do at the Lone Star Flight Museum ?

I am Director of Visitor Experience.  Prior to that, I was a volunteer and immensely enjoyed my position as Crew Chief of the B-17 and B-25.  What an honor!

What got you into aviation?

Hmmm, probably a combination of three things.  1.) I get bored easily and always need a new goal or adventure. 2.) I’m an adrenaline junkie and I guess my 162 HP Ducati just wasn’t enough. 3.) I wanted to be an astronaut, but at age 45 (my age when I got my license), flying is probably the closest to the stars I’ll ever get.

What is your favorite plane in the LSFM collection?

Thunderbird, hands down!  Our B-17 is a magnificent aircraft.  I am in awe of the Flying Fortress in general.  To know its capabilities and the significant role it played in WWII is staggering.

What is a highlight of your time at the LSFM?

This is an easy one. Being asked to be Crew Chief on the B-17 for the Barksdale AFB Airshow in Louisiana made me feel as excited as a kid on Christmas morning. We did a Fortress Flight with a B-29 and a B-52. Flying in formation and seeing those two beautiful birds off our wing tip was incredible!

What keeps your head in the clouds?

The Lone Star Flight Museum has a special place in my heart for SO many reasons.  My goal is to help in whatever way I can for it to achieve the vision of being a world-class museum.  As for my dreams…those are big, but I will keep flying toward them.

Susan Street – LSFM Crew Chief

When did you start volunteering with LSFM?

2003

What do you do at the Lone Star Flight Museum (LSFM)? 

B-17 and B-25 Crew Chief

What got you into aviation?

Every year, as a child, I traveled to Europe in one of KLM’s 747s (Queens of the Sky) at night. We flew through many storms; I was in a plane struck by lightning once. The experiences of these night journeys, the storms, the clear nights with the moon reflecting on the clouds below, as I looked out the window, sleepless and enchanted, impressed me mightily. 

I achieved my private pilot’s license in the mid 90s at Andrau Airpark. I found out about the Lone Star Flight Museum’s volunteer program shortly thereafter and was very excited to be introduced to hands on training in aircraft maintenance and restoration. 

What is your favorite plane in the LSFM collection?

The B-17 is my favorite aircraft in the Lone Star Flight Museum’s collection. 

What is a highlight of your time at LSFM?

I have been honored to meet so many distinguished Veterans of WWII and other wars as well as participate in historic air shows such as the Thunder Over Michigan show in 2005. That particular year, 8 of the world’s remaining B-17s flew together. Seeing 8 B-17s lined up on the flight line was breathtaking and in the air absolutely stunning. 

Another notable, yet comical experience, occurred in 2016; I met a very unusual movie star at Wings Over Houston. I was standing by the front of the B-17 and a man ran up with a parrot. He wanted me to perch the bird on the B-17 for a photograph. This parrot had been the parrot featured in “Pirates of the Caribbean II”. I agreed, with the condition that he would take a picture of me with the bird too. We quickly took pictures and, zip, he was gone. What was hilarious is that no one noticed … but I have the pictures to prove it!!  

What keeps your head in the clouds? 

I am the curator for the University of Houston Observatory so I am still looking deep into the night sky just not always from the inside of an airplane! 

Kim Raess – LSFM Marshaler

When did you start volunteering with LSFM?

I joined LSFM in either 1999 or 2000.

What do you do at the Lone Star Flight Museum (LSFM)? 

According to the mechanics I don’t do a damn thing! I am a marshaler. I also assist mechanics/maintenance crew in the shop.

What got you into aviation?

Became interested in aviation as a kid.  My friend’s mom was a pilot and took us to air shows.

What is your favorite plane in the LSFM collection?

Favorite plane? Impossible to choose: close tie between the B17, P 47 and Corsair!

What is a highlight of your time at LSFM?

Best part about time at the museum is hands on experience with these amazing planes and getting to know so many different people who share the same interest in aviation. 

What keeps your head in the clouds? 

More like what keeps my head out of the clouds. It’s my natural state of being!!  Keeping up with three kids and being a veterinarian keeps me busy when I’m not at the museum.

Emily McGowan – LSFM Flight Coordinator 

When did you start volunteering with LSFM?   

January 2008

What do you do at the Lone Star Flight Museum (LSFM)?

I oversee the Warbird Ride Experience flights.  I coordinate the flights, riders and LSFM crew. I was a B-17 plane captain with Susan Street.

What got you into aviation?

I’ve always loved airplanes and flying.   What got me volunteering at LSFM was seeing the B-17 fly at the 2007 airshow held at LSFM (we used to have yearly airshows).   I said, “I need to fly in that!” I purchased flights in the B-17 and the B-25, and then decided to start volunteering at LSFM.   

What is your favorite plane in the LSFM collection?

That would be the B-17.

What is a highlight of your time at LSFM? 

I really enjoy working airshows, and traveling to them.  Having this opportunity has been a great highlight.  Also, I’ve enjoyed meeting veterans who have visited the Museum, or who have flown in our airplanes. I love being outside, on the ramp, with our airplanes, our volunteers, our pilots and our riders.  It’s such a joy to talk with visitors from all over the world, all of whom are there because they love aviation and history!   My favorite airshow?  Wings Over Houston, of course!  And any show that I’m currently working. 

What keeps your head in the clouds? 

Flying.  Being in and around our airplanes, and airplanes in general.  And birding.  I’m always looking up at something or other … !

Daphne Livanec – LSFM Crew Chief

When did you start volunteering with LSFM?

2009

What do you do at the Lone Star Flight Museum (LSFM)?  

B-17 and B-25 Crew Chief.


What is your favorite plane in the LSFM collection? 

B-17 or B-25.


What keeps your head in the clouds? 

I’m a private pilot.  I enjoy flying my airplane for fun and relaxation!

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