Cheryl A. Stearns

Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame
Enshrined 2007

Cheryl A. Stearns was born July 14, 1955, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona 2 years later. An interest in aviation led her to skydiving and earning her pilot’s license in her teen years. Cheryl made her first parachute jump at the age of 17. In 1975, after graduating from Scottsdale Community College, she moved to North Carolina to continue her competition parachute training. Her skills grew quickly and in 1977 she won her first U.S. National Championship. That same year she joined the United States Army and became the first female member of the Army’s “Golden Knights” parachute jump team.

In 1979 she became the first woman to participate in an international military parachuting competition. Not only did Cheryl compete, but she won the accuracy competition. She continues to participate in and win parachuting competitions, and has won 65 national and world women’s competitions. Additionally, she has held the most parachute jumps in a 24-hour period by a woman; 352, or on average 1 every 4 minutes. In addition to her parachuting career, Cheryl is a pilot for U.S. Airways. She flies as a First Officer in the Boeing 757 and 767. Cheryl has received numerous awards and honors during her aviation career. These include Skydiver of the Year for 1995, Citizen of the Year, 1995 from the Raeford, NC Kiwanis Club, and the highest award in aero sports, the Diplome Leonardo da Vinci in 1990. The U.S. Army has awarded her the Meritorious Service Medal 4 times, the Army Commendation Medal 6 times and the Army Achievement Medal 2 times.

Pima Air & Space Museum

Creating unlimited horizons in aerospace education through the preservation and presentation of the history of flight.

Charity EIN: 86-6031135

Contact Info

520-574-0462

6000 E Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756

Operating Hours:
Open 9 AM – 3 PM Daily
Last Admittance at 1:30 PM

Plan Your Visit

FAQ