Thousand Oaks Pilot, 83, Awarded FAA’s Most Prestigious Honor for 50 Years of Safe Flight

At 83 years old, Cecilia Stratford of Thousand Oaks is still in the cockpit, proving that age is just a number when it comes to a passion for flight. Stratford was recently named the recipient of the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, the most prestigious honor issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The award is reserved for a truly elite group: licensed pilots who have maintained a perfect safety record for at least 50 consecutive years. Less than one percent of all airline pilots reach this milestone, and only a handful of women have ever received the honor. For Stratford, the recognition is a culmination of a journey that began with her first solo flight 51 years ago.

While many with her skills seek careers in the commercial sector, Stratford’s legacy is defined by volunteerism. Over the last five decades, she has used her expertise to fly medical supplies for relief organizations and has provided over 900 introductory flights to children. She has also served as a mentor to dozens of pilots, helping them transition into commercial and military careers.

One of those mentees, Captain Genevieve Anonsen of the Air National Guard, presented Stratford with the award. Before becoming a fighter pilot, Anonsen trained under Stratford’s guidance. During the ceremony, Anonsen noted that Stratford’s impact reaches far beyond any single airplane, living on through the hundreds of young people she introduced to the world of aviation.

Stratford, who keeps a collection of seven giant scrapbooks detailing her career, says she has no plans to stop flying. She continues to encourage women to break gender stereotypes in the field, reminding everyone that in aviation, "the sky is not the limit."

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