Vicki Cruse

Vicki Cruse (1967 to 2009) was an American aerobatic pilot, air racer and aviation administrator. Born in Springfield, Missouri, she earned a private pilot's licence after finishing graduate studies in 1993, joined the International Aerobatic Club in 1995 and served as its president from 2005. She first made the U.S. World Aerobatic Team in 2002, won the U.S. national unlimited aerobatic title in 2007 from a field of 101 pilots, and took a team silver medal for the women at the 2007 World Aerobatic Championships. She was also the first woman to race in the Sport Class at the Reno Air Races, flying a custom Glasair III called Cruse Missile. She died in 2009 when her borrowed Zivko Edge 540 crashed during practice for the World Aerobatic Championships at Silverstone, England, and the International Aerobatic Club later opened an educational pavilion in her name.