Judy Phelps
A life That Lifted Others
1963 - 2026
Some people teach aviation. Others transform it. Judy Phelps did both.
Judy Phelps was a gifted pilot, instructor, examiner, mentor, advocate, and friend whose influence reached far beyond the cockpit. Through her work at CP Aviation, her leadership in The Ninety-Nines, her dedication to emergency maneuver training, and her lifelong commitment to helping others grow, Judy changed the lives of countless pilots and strengthened the aviation community for generations to come.
Her story was not simply about flying. It was about believing in people, helping them discover their potential, and giving them the confidence to reach heights they never imagined.
About Judy
Judy’s aviation journey began in 1994 at Santa Paula Airport, where she worked at the restaurant overlooking the runway. As a waitress and single mother, she watched airplanes take off and land from the outdoor patio, captivated by the freedom and possibility of flight.
That curiosity became a passion that shaped the rest of her life.
At Santa Paula Airport, Judy met her future husband, Clay Phelps, owner of CP Aviation. Together, they built not only a respected flight school, but a lasting aviation community centered on excellence, safety, mentorship, and encouragement.
Judy earned her Private Pilot Certificate in 1999 under the instruction of her father-in-law, Bob Phelps. Her path was not always easy. She struggled with confidence and airsickness, but through determination, training, and the guidance of her mentor Rich Stowell, she learned that knowledge and preparation can replace fear with confidence.
That lesson became the foundation of her teaching philosophy.
Within eighteen months, Judy earned her Instrument, Commercial, CFI, and CFII ratings. Teaching quickly became her life’s calling. Over the course of her career, she endorsed more than 400 pilot certificates, conducted more than 350 checkrides as a Designated Pilot Examiner, and helped countless pilots discover abilities they never knew they had.
Her Aviation Legacy
For more than three decades, Judy helped shape CP Aviation into one of the nation’s most respected flight training organizations. What began as a single Cessna 150 grew into a flight school that trained pilots from around the world.
Judy became known for her rare ability to make complex subjects understandable, approachable, and enjoyable. Whether teaching airspace, introducing pilots to new technology, leading aviation safety seminars, or guiding students through challenging maneuvers, she brought clarity, patience, humor, and confidence to every lesson.
Perhaps no area reflected Judy’s dedication to safety more than Emergency Maneuver Training. After experiencing Rich Stowell’s training firsthand, she became an early advocate for integrating upset recovery, spin recovery, loss-of-control prevention, and stick-and-rudder skills into routine flight instruction.
Her work helped pilots replace fear with knowledge and uncertainty with confidence. Many credit Judy not only with changing the course of their flying careers, but with making them safer pilots.
Mentor, Advocate, and Leader
Judy was a tireless advocate for women in aviation. She joined The Ninety-Nines the day after earning her private pilot certificate and became an active and generous leader within the organization.
She served as President, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Ventura County Ninety-Nines chapter, helping it grow into one of the largest and most active chapters in the organization. Through aviation events, conferences, scholarships, mentorship, and the Ventura County Ninety-Nines Pilot Proficiency Program, Judy encouraged countless women to pursue their dreams of flight.
Her commitment to future generations was equally profound. Judy helped establish Ventura County’s Aviation Career Day, introducing thousands of middle and high school students to careers in aviation and aerospace. She spent fourteen years mentoring young women at EAA’s GirlVenture Camp at AirVenture in Oshkosh, encouraging them to dream bigger and reach higher.
Through scholarships, youth programs, airshows, museum work, and simple conversations on airport ramps, Judy helped people see that they belonged in aviation.
Honors and Achievements
Judy’s contributions earned her many well-deserved honors, including:
- Southwest Section of The Ninety-Nines Professional Woman Pilot of the Year
- Western Pacific Region Flight Instructor of the Year
- National Flight Instructor of the Year
- First woman to earn the NAFI Master CFI-Aerobatic designation
- Master Instructor and Master Instructor Emeritus
- Alaska Department of Public Safety Career Aviation Service Award
Her awards reflected a lifetime of excellence, but Judy’s greatest legacy was always the people she helped.
Service Beyond the Cockpit
Judy’s generosity extended throughout her local community. She was a founding member and longtime leader of the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula, where she helped preserve local aviation history and encourage future aviators.
She was also a member and former president of the Santa Paula Rotary Club, where she supported scholarships, holiday programs, and community projects that improved the lives of others.
Judy was deeply involved in the aerobatic community through the International Aerobatic Club and honored her close friend and aerobatic coach, Vicki Cruse, by establishing the Vicki Cruse Memorial EMT Scholarship. She was also a founding member of the Society of Aviation Flight Educators, helping strengthen the professional community of aviation educators.
Whether performing at Wings Over Camarillo, mentoring young pilots, supporting nonprofits, or donating flight training opportunities for scholarships and auctions, Judy gave generously of her time, knowledge, and heart.
Remembering Judy
On May 20, 2026, Judy Phelps flew west after a courageous battle with terminal cancer.
While her journey on earth came to an end, her influence remains woven into the fabric of aviation. Her legacy lives on in the flight school she helped build, the organizations she strengthened, the communities she served, and the thousands of pilots whose lives she touched.
The skies are safer because she flew.
The aviation community is stronger because she taught.
Generations of pilots will continue to soar because Judy Phelps believed in them before they believed in themselves.
Blue skies and tailwinds, Judy. Your lessons, your example, and your spirit will continue to guide and inspire aviators for generations to come.
Judy Phelps EMT Scholarship
The Ventura County Ninety-Nines are raising funds to establish a perpetual memorial scholarship in recognition of Judy Phelps’ enormous influence and contribution to aviation and aviation safety. The goal is to raise $50,000 to endow a perpetual Judy Phelps scholarship for EMT training to be awarded and administered forever by the Ninety-Nines Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Emergency Maneuver Training (EMT) helps pilots develop the skills, awareness, and confidence to recognize, prevent, and recover from unusual attitudes, spins, and loss-of-control situations. This type of advanced training was central to Judy’s work and reflected her lifelong commitment to helping pilots become safer, better prepared, and more confident.
This scholarship will honor Judy’s legacy of safety, mentorship, and aviation education by helping pilots receive training that can make a lasting difference in their flying.
www.judyphelpsemtscholarship.com
A $20,000 Matching Grant Will Double Your Impact
The Ventura County 99s will provide $20,000 in matching funds to facilitate fundraising for this scholarship, The VC99s will match dollar for dollar, up to a maximum of $20,000, each dollar donated to the Judy Phelps EMT Training Scholarship, thereby doubling the value of each dollar donated to the scholarship.
This means:
A $50 donation becomes $100
A $100 donation becomes $200
A $500 donation becomes $1,000
A $1,000 donation donation becomes $2,000