Sabrina Kipp

Warbird pilot and lifetime student

June 1, 2024 By Emma Quedzuweit

Countless pilots and aviation enthusiasts have admired the North American B–25 Panchito at events around the country, but just as deserving of admiration is the crew that maintains and flies this legend, which includes former airline pilot Sabrina Kipp.

Photography by Chris Rose.

Her career has included flight instructing, multiple charter jobs flying freight as well as passengers, and flying a Douglas DC–6 and Convair CV–340 in operations carrying the Wall Street Journal and Barron’s newspapers. She spent 12 years in regional airlines, 25 years at Southwest Airlines, and volunteered as an aviation safety counselor for the FAA. Now retired, she flies her Aeronca L–16, is the safety officer and director of training for the Delaware Aviation Museum Foundation’s B–25 type rating program, and is best known to the public as a welcoming face on the flight deck for folks getting a once-in-a-lifetime ride in Panchito.

How did you get started in aviation?

I went to college where my friends were in the aeronautics school. They invited me to fly with them and let me have the controls. I really liked flying, so these trips were a great thrill. At the end of my freshman year, my friend came to me and said, “We’ve taken a vote, and we think you are in the wrong major.” I switched to flying in my sophomore year, and my friends were right, flying is the perfect vocation.

Favorite aircraft?

I have flown many different aircraft over the past 47 years, so I do not have one particularly favorite aircraft. The ones that stand out would be the DC–6, DHC–7, BE–58, and the N–B25.

Favorite aviation activity?

Meeting pilots or aviation enthusiasts. I would like to attend more fly-ins when I get the time.

Biggest challenges?

Dealing with some discriminatory views, not only from employers, but also from some of the passengers. Early in my career, I always had to be levels above my co-workers to prove the dissenting observers wrong. I have been fortunate to have had a successful career, the number of negative incidents were only a minor distraction.

Advice for students?

Learning to fly takes time. Be patient, there will be plateaus, but never give up. And more importantly, never stop learning! Despite my level of pilot certificates, I consider myself a 47-year student pilot. There is always more to learn.