She Can Fly: Girls in Aviation Day Returns to Pensacola to Inspire the Next Generation

PENSACOLA, Fla. (September 17, 2026) — Young girls with dreams of flying, serving, designing, building and exploring the world of aviation will have the opportunity to see those dreams take flight during the fourth annual Girls in Aviation Day Gulf Coast on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Two accomplished women with very different aviation journeys will take center stage at this year’s event, inspiring the next generation of aviators to dream big and discover where a passion for flight can take them.

Keynote speaker Ashlee Leppert, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and helicopter rescue flight crew member, and special guest Emily Shelton, a 21-year-old certified flight instructor who safely landed a disabled aircraft on Interstate 10 in Pensacola, will share their experiences with girls ages 8 to 18 during the event.

Presented by the Women in Aviation International Gulf Coast Chapter and the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, Girls in Aviation Day Gulf Coast is designed to introduce young women to the diverse career opportunities available in aviation while connecting them with female role models who are already making their mark in the industry.

“Ashlee and Emily are wonderful examples of the courage, skill and determination that women bring to aviation,” said Dianna Hayden, education director at the National Naval Aviation Museum. “We want every girl who attends Girls in Aviation Day to leave knowing that she can do this, too. Whether she dreams of becoming a pilot, an engineer, a mechanic, an air traffic controller or serving in the military, we want her to see the possibilities and believe in what she can accomplish.”

Leppert is a proud veteran of the United States Coast Guard, where she served as an avionics electrical technician and helicopter rescue flight crew member. During her military career, she participated in numerous search and rescue missions, experiencing firsthand the skill, teamwork and courage required in aviation. Today, she is a spirit-filled encourager who is passionate about inspiring others and sharing her story.

Shelton, who began flying when she was just 17 years old, is a certified flight instructor with more than 1,300 flight hours. In August, she demonstrated extraordinary skill and composure when engine trouble forced her to land a Piper PA-28 on busy Interstate 10 in Pensacola. She safely maneuvered the aircraft onto the highway while avoiding traffic and an overhead highway sign. No one was injured.

Their stories will be part of a day designed to show participants that aviation offers far more career possibilities than simply flying an aircraft. Throughout the event, girls will meet and interact with women working in air traffic control, piloting, aviation maintenance, manufacturing and the United States Armed Forces. Information about local aviation education programs also will be available to help participants explore educational opportunities and potential career paths.

Hands-on STEM activities will give participants the opportunity to experience the science of flight for themselves. Interactive stations will include straw rockets and airplane launches that demonstrate the fundamentals of aerodynamics, as well as flight simulators guided by female aviators that offer a taste of what it is like to command an aircraft.

From exploring the science behind flight to hearing firsthand stories from women who have built careers in aviation, Girls in Aviation Day Gulf Coast offers participants an opportunity to ask questions, discover new interests and envision a future they may not have previously considered.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Blue Angels Atrium at the National Naval Aviation Museum. Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m.

The event is open to participants ages 8 to 18. Registration is required for all participants. Registration closes Oct. 7. The registration fee is $5 per participant and is non-refundable. Parents and guardians do not need to register.

Registration: https://naval-aviation-museum-foundation.idloom.events/gulf-coast-girls-in-aviation-day2026

Important: Because the event is held aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, anyone age 18 or older who does not have a Department of Defense ID must have a valid REAL ID or U.S. passport to enter the installation. Visitors without a DoD ID must enter NAS Pensacola through the West Gate on Blue Angel Parkway between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

 

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IMPORTANT MEDIA INSTRUCTIONS

Media interested in attending this ceremony need to contact Bruce Cummins at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Public Affairs Office for access to the installation by October 9. Media should also notify Katie King at katie@ewbullock.com.

 

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About the National Naval Aviation Museum

Located aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, the National Naval Aviation Museum is the world’s largest museum dedicated to naval aviation and one of the most visited museums in Florida. Spanning nearly 350,000 square feet, the museum showcases more than 150 meticulously restored aircraft representing the aviation arms of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Key attractions include the moving Return with Honor exhibit commemorating the courage and resilience of Vietnam War POWs, and don’t miss Fly with the Blues—the only simulator in the world, where guests experience the thrill of flying in precision formation with the Blue Angels. Other attractions include Hangar Bay One, featuring post-WWII aircraft such as the presidential helicopter Marine One, state-of-the-art HD flight simulators, and a cutting-edge laser-powered Giant Screen digital theater. Guests can enjoy a variety of sandwiches, snacks, and beverages at the TOPGUN Café, conveniently located at the museum entrance, and are encouraged to stop by the Flight Deck Store before departure to find souvenirs that reflect the legacy and spirit of Naval Aviation. Admission to the museum is always FREE.

Emily Shelton

Ashley Leppert