I am the proud owner of a 'Women Fly Too' T-shirt with her picture on the back (as a stunning 20 something year old) personally autographed by her when she gave gave it too me at a Bankstown airshow in 1991.

it has never been worn and i will now have it framed behind glass.

Great loss - but she leaves a legacy - specially the Women's Pilots Association.

Grumps

A gift from above
 

I never met Nancy but saw her on TV and in the press numerous times. There are individuals who touch us from afar. They reach through everything that is and connect to us down deep within the soul. Their lives demonstrate that old adage "you can achieve anything if you really put your mind to it..." Nancy was one of these. What a grand lady!

And how many people did she inspire?! Certainly many women who've taken up the challenge to become pilots in such a male dominated arena would have benefitted from the unlimited energy Nancy put out there. And many of us men who've taken to the skies have also realised just what a gargantuan achievement it was to have done what she did (although, we can never really know what it is like; we just have some basic notions of how tough it was for her).

Well Nancy, everything we've ever loved about flying; those crisp stunning days, the shimmer of sparkling water beneath you, the feeling of swooping around base and final with the numbers nailed for the most magnificent greaser, the layers of cloud with setting sun streaming through, the thrills, the wonder and the sheer beauty that many of us reading this have been so fortunate to experience are yours forever. Right now I bet you've already transcended time & space and you're flying like never before!

Thank you for being you; it was just wonderful.

Rene :ok:

I had the privilege of flying her once in a Tiger. There can be many a lesson gleamed from a lady such as Ms Nancy Bird- Walton.

Fly High.
Doug.

QANTAS and Nancy-Bird Waltons State funeral
 

I would like to see the A380 named after her do a low fly-over, wing dipped during Nancy-Bird's funeral.
Would this be possible due to scheduling and would CASA give approval?

Please QANTAS, make it happen!

Thankyou
 

I would like to thank everyone on this forum for their very kind words in regards to the passing of my Nan. We are all very sad for her loss, but I know that her life couldn't have been any fuller.

She was a wonderful grandmother, and great-grandmother to my children Kaia and Maysa. She certainly was an inspiration to me me, and I'm so please to see just how much she inspired the aviation community in Australia which see absolutely adored.

It seems my 2 year old daughter has taken after her - as she wont listen to anyone who says "No, you cant do that!". ;)

Cheers, Baron

I also had never met her, however from the postings throughout pprune, aswell as Newpapers, Television, Radio and Word of mouth, she was an amazingly inspiring person, She has clearly touched many people and kept some flare throughout Australian Aviation,

I also would like to see VH-OQA perhaps do a gear up missed approach for Ms Walton...

As FR said,

She was an insperation to all

A great lady.

State funeral 12.30, St Andrews cathedral Sydney on Wednesday 21st. Be there!

I met her last November, when I was on holiday in Australia. She was enthusiastic and full of life, and I really enjoyed talking to her and hearing some of her fascinating stories about flying in the Outback. It's hard to believe she's gone...but her memory will live for ever.

"What a Girl"

I hope she wrote her memoirs.

Was Vic Walton a relie? And then there is Harry Walton. Each contributed much to Australian aviation.

Vic Walton was involved with the operation of float planes out of Pittwater. He established an annual trophy for presentation to the Flight Tester of the Year as determined by the Flight Test Society of Australia.

Harry Walton was also into flight testing as an FTE particularly in the early days of the F-111s at Edwards AFB.

God bless you and take care of you Nancy-Bird.

Your legacy will live on and we will never forget you.

Condolences to all of Nancy's family.

I hear from very reliable sources, that on announcement of the possible sale of Qantas, Nancy was on the phone to one G Dixon, who received a bollocking that only Nancy could give, and one GD spent some time trying to convince her that it was the best outcome for the company, she would not have a bar of it, and made her feelings very plain, no, make that extremely plain, and one GD was quite shaken, (though resolute). The Matriarch had spoken, nobody but nobody was going to sell her beloved Rat, and she made it plain to anybody in the business with whom she came in contact. Her delight at the failure was second to none, and as Nancy had the ear of many a politician, ???!!!! in the most honest way, (no bribes from her), just a earful, regarding the Aviation Industry, and her special interests like GA and her concern of the treatment of QF engineers she was one powerful lady,in the nicest possible way. All who can turn up for the funeral, please do so, she had all your interests at heart, and deserves a fitting farewell. Fly peacefully little lady.

She wrote two books: "Born to Fly" and "My God, it's a Woman!" The first is out of print and quite rare; the second easily obtainable. They're well worth reading. I have signed copies of both, and no, they aren't for sale!

Incidentally, she spelled her name "Nancy-Bird Walton" because she felt that since most of her flying had been done before she even met her husband, it was more appropriate for her to be known as Nancy Bird, and that seemed to her the best way of ensuring that happened. She was very insistent on that spelling.

fantome, you prove once again how unreliable memory is. Dug the record out of the cupboard and I owe you a beer.

I stand corrected Fantome, however my belief is that Nancy requested that instead of flowers at her funeral, she wants all to donate to the RFDS, so typical of her. Does anybody know what the flypast is going to consist of?

Just a suggestion, on Amy Johnson day, many moons ago, we, all on take off, said it was for Amy. I don't think the ATC would mind one bit, for those of you who are taking off on that day, ( Weds) say it is for Nancy, you will find most pilots will follow. A fitting tribute.:D

Nancy on this morning at 1005 EST with Margaret Throsby on ABC Classic FM. A repeat of an interview made some years ago, with Nancy's choice of music between chatting segments.

Teresa

That is a top suggestion. Perhaps you could make it a new thread and ask the Mods to stickyfy it.

Gives me 48 hrs to get a PPL and an aeroplane.

Rgds

Qantas Flyover
 

From another place;

"A380 VH-OQA operating as QF6601 will perform the flyover at Nancy-Bird's funeral on Wednesday.

The routing will be to hold off the Manly area, track 1500ft through the Heads down Sydney Harbour, followed by a climbing left turn to 2100ft to cross the City, following George St from North to South.

ETD: 1115

ETA: 1220 "


G'day ;)