A bold and bright new compass rose now graces the tarmac north of Riverside Airport's terminal. The San Gabriel Valley Ninety-Nines, a chapter of the International Women Pilots organization, recently completed the project after contributing 250 volunteer hours to create this functional art piece.
The painted design includes the standard compass points and degree markings needed for aircraft compass calibration. Pilots use these markings to ensure their onboard instruments accurately show direction—a fundamental safety check for all aircraft.
The Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women pilots founded in 1929, has a long tradition of creating these navigational aids. Amelia Earhart served as the group's first president.
In the 1930s, the organization began marking airports through the National Air Marking Program when pilots relied on visual landmarks for navigation rather than today's electronic systems. During World War II, many markings were temporarily removed for security reasons.
Creating a compass rose requires precision and teamwork. Each compass must align exactly with magnetic north, which takes careful planning and execution. The process typically involves measuring, outlining, and then painting the design—all while ensuring perfect alignment.
The San Gabriel Valley chapter has painted similar compass roses at other Southern California airports and plans to maintain the new addition at Riverside Airport as part of their ongoing commitment to aviation safety.
The new addition at the Riverside Municipal Airport can be easily seen from the deck above the terminal and from the patio at the Airport Cafe.
More information: The Riverside Municipal Airport is located at 6951 Flight Rd, Riverside, CA 92504, and the Airport Cafe is open daily from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
