Who We Are

We are a passionate group of aviation enthusiasts dedicated to supporting and empowering women in all aspects of aviation. Whether you're a seasoned pilot, a student aspiring to fly, or simply fascinated by the world of aviation, you'll find a warm and welcoming community here at Soaring Capital Eagles. Our chapter organizes a variety of educational and networking events, outreach activities and strive to help fellow aviators, nurturing a supportive community. Join us as we soar to new heights and celebrate the incredible achievements of women in aviation!

Meet Our Team

President

Sarah Talucci

With over a decade of aviation experience, Sarah is a seasoned professional currently serving as Co-Founder of an aircraft brokerage in Syracuse, NY. In this role, she seamlessly guides customers through multimillion-dollar transactions, utilizing her strong negotiating skills and ensuring client comfort through sales, acquisitions, and often conducting demonstration and mentorship flights herself. Sarah’s professional journey includes pivotal roles focusing on whole and fractional aircraft sales on the East Coast. As an ATP-rated multiengine pilot, she holds certifications including her Commercial SEL, CFI, CFII, AGI, and IGI, reflecting her vast experience and technical ability. Beyond sales, Sarah passionately shares her aviation knowledge through presentations, events, publications, and social media.

Vice President

Christine Blair

Christine boasts an impressive 35 years of experience in the business aviation industry. Her journey began in 1988 when she joined JETNET and worked for several years as a leader in market research. Throughout her career, she has lent her expertise to multiple aircraft brokerage firms, excelling in research and sales support, and even briefly working in advertising. In 2019, Christine took on the esteemed role of Director at GLADA, showcasing her leadership and dedication to the industry and paving the way for its success.

Secretary

Jennifer Bruce

Treasurer

Stanislav Sikulskyi

Stan is an Applied Mechanics Scientist at Corning Inc. with over a decade of experience in academic studies and research and over 30 peer-reviewed publications. His passion for aviation comes from his background in Aerospace Engineering with completed BS degree from National Aerospace University ‘KhAI’, Kharkiv, Ukraine, and MS and PhD degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL. Stan learned about WAI during his studies and work in Daytona Beach, FL, and got involved into the Soaring Capital Eagles Chapter after moving to NY state. He enjoys airshows, aerospace museums, and plans to become a pilot for recreational purposes.

Membership Chair

Seinna Leach

Seinna is a sophomore at Cornell University who is majoring in biological sciences. She is also a student at the East Hill Flying Club in Ithaca, NY. Seinna is interested in many aspects of aviation, including flying, planespotting, and collecting model planes and airline memorabilia. She is hoping to eventually become an airline pilot.

Outreach Chair

Jo-Anne Arruda

As the Chief Operating Officer of AircraftPost, Jo-Anne Arruda heads administration, finance, IT and research. She applies her professionalism, leadership and administrative expertise daily to monitor content and ensure quality data across various platforms. Jo-Anne joined AircraftPost in 2007 as an Administrative Specialist and was named a partner in 2017. Jo-Anne is an Accredited Member of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) as well as a member of the International Aviation Women’s Association, and the Aircraft Researchers Group Leadership Committee.

Scholarship Chair

Kateryna Sikulska

Kate is a dedicated student pilot with a passion for flight and a goal of becoming a professional aviator. When not flying, she operates drones to capture stunning aerial footage of the Finger Lakes region, showcasing her creativity and technical skills. As a first-generation aviator, Kate joined Women in Aviation International to explore new opportunities and draw inspiration from women pilots worldwide. She is eager to serve as a role model, encouraging others to pursue their dreams in aviation and beyond.

History of the Chapter

By Mike Hall, Chapter Founder.

The Soaring Eagles Chapter of Women in Aviation International has roots deep in the recognition that from the earliest days of aviation, women have played a significant role, which wasn’t well recognized, understood, or accepted. As a Chapter founder, I would like to share some of our history, a journey that began decades ago.

In a stroke of good fortune, I ventured to Tucson, AZ in 1986 to participate in a weekend combat readiness exercise. An A-10 Wing Commander at the time, that weekend I would be flying in an A-7K, the two seat version of that aircraft. By luck of the draw, I was paired with Lt Lucy Young. That was different! For years, I had been very active in military Equal Opportunity issues, but my lens never included women fighter pilots. There were very few in the fighter community and none in combat units. Fortunately times were changing.

Captain Rosemary Mariner had quietly assembled group of fighter pilots like Lucy and Tammy Jo Shultz, who were proving the equal of their male counterparts. Flying with Lucy made that apparent and my opportunity lens widened.

In the Gulf War, my job was to stitch together the air forces coalition in the Kuwaiti Theater of Operations. I was always hitching rides on support aircraft to get around the vast Area of Responsibility. Notably, many times these air and rotorcraft were flown by women. For example, I flew with Maj Marie Rossi just days before she lost her life. While it was apparent we were being shot at on that flight, as a designated non-combatant, she had no claim to combat time! Nor did Maj Rhonda Cornum, whom I directed on an ill fated SAR mission where she was shot down and became a POW.

My unique experience, before, during and after the war convinced me that women needed to be afforded full opportunity to serve, in order to be fully included in all manner of our society.

After the war there was much heated discussion about the inclusion of women in combat roles. During the debate, I had the opportunity to testify before Congress and to meet pioneering leaders like General Wilma Vaught (Women in Miltary Service to America) and Dr Peggy Chabrian, who had recently started Women in Aviation International.

I’m glad to say that in the end, the combat barrier fell and today women are fully included in our armed forces. Artifacts at Wings of Eagles include a tribute to Lt Col Kim Campbell and battle damaged panels from her A-10, which she recovered with an unprecedented feat of airmanship after being hit by AAA over Baghdad!

Which brings us to the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center and the creation of our Soaring Eagles Chapter of WAI.

As we morphed the failed National Warplane Museum into an Aerospace themed STEM Academy we needed all the good ideas and assistance we could muster. Having stayed in close contact with WAI and Dr. Chabrian, we saw great value in adding a Chapter where none previously existed. Later, Karen Robbins, Stacey Brown, Jill Browning and I got the Soaring Eagles Chapter airborne in 2009, beginning a challenging journey forward. Immediately impactful was the move of Wings of Eagles off airport to make space available for Sikorsky Aircraft. Then Sikorsky Aircraft left town, taking a huge aerospace focus and strong membership base along with it. Those first years were rough, focused on survival.

From the beginning through today, Col. Eileen Collins has been our inspiration and ardent supporter.

Chapter fortunes turned with the arrival of Lisa Sansouci, who provided fresh leadership before losing her life during COVID. And so the struggle resumed, until Kateryna Sikulska arrived from Daytona, FL, with a desire to emulate the Chapter she had been a member of there! WAI set us up on a blind date and it became the match that rekindled the Soaring Eagles Chapter!

We have already made a positive impact on youth in Central New York through a spectacular Girls in Aviation Day 2023.

Our opportunity to serve has never been clearer! To honor countless women aviators, industry leaders and hard workers, who created a tremendous legacy and created boundless opportunity for women seeking a role in aviation today.

From a humble beginning and a determined struggle, we have seen a just cause give roots to a WAI Chapter with exciting potential. More than ever, aviation needs full participation by all interested parties to master the challenges faced by this vital industry. Everyone has a role to play in this exciting time. We are fortunate to have an organization like WAI to help us find the focus, support and synergy we need going forward.

Karen Robbins, Col. Eileen Collins, Mike Hall

By Stacey Brown, former Chapter President.

When designing a logo for the Soaring Capital Eagles chapter of Women In Aviation, International, I wanted to show the rich history of glider flight in the area as well as the spirit of soaring present in the women who are a part of our chapter. A logo that demonstrates soaring should convey a sense of freedom, movement, and upward momentum. One way to achieve this is to use a bird or bird-like imagery in the design, such as a soaring eagle or a bird in flight. Eagles symbolize strength, freedom, and power. I felt that a logo that demonstrates soaring should be visually compelling and communicate a sense of freedom and upward momentum to the viewer. That is why I chose the curved shape of the eagle soaring. I also chose bright blues, greens and yellows because bright, bold colors suggest energy and movement. I was able to push a sense of depth within the design by putting the eagle in the forefront with a glider soaring in the background. Overall, I hope you agree that the logo demonstrates the sense of soaring and freedom exhibited by the members of the chapter.