US Unlimited Team Manager Marta Meyer Perishes

UPDATE 9/22/2005

Memorial Services Scheduled

Friday, September 23, 2005 1 p.m.
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

The public is welcome to attend. Pre-registration is required. Please contact Carmen Arevalo at carmen.arevalo@dfrc.nasa.gov or phone 661-276-3102. Be prepared to give your first and last name, date of birth, the last 4 digits of your social security number and your driver's license information when you call or email.

Saturday, September 24, 2005 10 a.m.

Tehachapi Municipal Airport, Tehachapi, CA

Marta Bohn-Meyer Memorial Fund
Bob Meyer and family have set up a fund in the memory of Marta. One of Marta's passions in life was getting young women involved in the sciences. She gave many talks to many young women over the years, passing along her interest, knowledge, and the importance of women in the sciences. Bob would like to honor Marta's passion through a Memorial Fund that would provide capitol for scholarships and education programs for young women interested in science. For details please visit www.Marta-Foundation.org.

Sad News: US Unlimited Team Manager Marta Meyer Perishes During Aerobatic Training Exercises

   

September 18, 2005 - The US Unlimited Team and friends are saddened to announce the passing of Marta Meyer today in Yukon, OK.

Marta was an Unlimited Team member for two years and the Team Manager this year in Spain where she was awarded the "Most Valuable Volunteer" award for being the last minute warm-up pilot for the competition. She has been a fixture in the aerobatic community for over 20 years. She and her husband Bob built and flew the Giles 300 in many Unlimited competitions. She worked for NASA and was one of two women ever to fly in the SR-71 Blackbird.

Marta was practicing for the upcoming US National Aerobatic Championships. After about 5 minutes of practice, including several vertical maneuvers, Marta pulled vertical to do a hammerhead and the canopy departed the aircraft. No further control inputs were noted and the Giles crashed just off the airport property. Speculation is that Marta was rendered unconscious at the canopy departure. The canopy was located and found locked, with the pins also in the locked position. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

“There are few women in this sport and to lose one as special as Marta is a loss to us all,” commented IAC President and U.S. Unlimited Team Member Vicki Cruse. “She was one of the happiest people I have ever met, and brought joy to everything she did. She was an outstanding Team Manager and a good friend. She will be missed by all of us on the Unlimited Team and many, many friends in the aerobatic and aviation community.”

Memorial service details are still pending at this time.