Maureen “Mo” Motola, born in Ventura, CA went to school there, then worked at UCLA as a statistician/software engineer in medical research for 17 years.  During that time she met Dan and together they learned to fly in Santa Monica, CA.  Claire Walters taught both to fly in 1974.  They had purchased a Cherokee 180 after their second lesson at Rialto, CA and contacted Claire to help them bring the plane closer to home.  They got their licenses on the same day after 50 hours each.  First trip together was to Clear Lake, Lampson Field for an overnight victory celebration.  Emma McGuire, associated with Claire, taught them both racing techniques and encouraged Mo to enter the Palms-To-Pines race with Nina Laughbaum as her co-pilot.  Dan flew the 5^th Annual Jim Hicklin Air Race with Juanita Wilson’s husband, Charles.  Racing helped to sharpen their skills and they both earned their instrument ratings and commercial licenses.

 

They have taken several long cross-country flights.  In their Cherokee 180, they flew to the Florida Keys and circumnavigated Mexico and many trips to Baja.  After selling their 180, they bought half interest in a Cherokee Arrow.  In the arrow, they continued flying in Baja and the western states, including Oregon.  Moving to Truckee in 1987, they took the Arrow and flew to Oshkosh with several planes from there.  After selling the Arrow, they rented a C-182 and a Mooney.  Then, needing a new challenge, they bought a taildragger, Maule Mx7-235.  Back to Baja, a natural, they flew to Punta Pescadero, Muleje, San Francisquito and San Luis Gonzaga.  This year they made a four week trip around the U.S.A. visiting 30 states, camping and staying in hotels.

 

Maureen has flown two Air Race Classics, Angle Derby, Baja Air Race, Fresno 400, Salinas His and Hers and numerous Palms-to-Pines races.  She has been a member of the Palms Chapter, the Orange County Chapter and is currently a member and Treasurer of the Lake Tahoe 99s, member of the Truckee Tahoe Airmen’s Association and Broker/Owner of Mountain Resort Properties in Truckee.

 

You can read of their flying adventures on their web page:

www.MoandDanny.com Select GONE FLYING then TRIPS.