Amelia Earhart, traffic reporter and pilot, is leaving KUSA when her contract is up in April to devote herself to aviation. She made the announcement on her Facebook page.

“It was good timing ahead of the around-the-world flight,” she said Monday. She’ll be on the air until mid-April. The flight, about 100 hours over 14-17 days, is slated for June, depending on weather. Her Channel 9 managers “made it clear fill-in options are open” and 9News will be covering the flight. “We are going to livestream from the cockpit, do interviews from the plane,” Earhart said, noting she’ll be the youngest woman to fly a single-engine around the world as she retraces the route of her hero.

“Now through June, my focus will be on flight training, planning, and preparation for the around the world flight. Beyond the global adventure, I have several opportunities to promote aviation, aerospace and the pursuit of passion and adventure,” she wrote on Facebook.

Earhart, who hedged on the familial link to her namesake for years, in August posted an apology, stating she was not related to the famed aviatrix.

KUSA news boss Patti Dennis said she has known of Earhart’s plan to leave the staff since late last year and has someone in mind to fill the position, not yet hired.

“She’s going full bore into the Fly With Amelia Foundation. She wants to devote herself to aviation.”

Denver Post