Grass_Strip_Goat

I fly a 3 Axis microlight from a small farm strip, have been doing so for some years, as Whirlybird says Because I want to. Now that I have read all about TCT and her outreach exploits I will probably just, erm, keep going on doing it because I want to. IMHO male or female should make no difference, the desire to do it is all that matters.

Geriaviator

Thanks for the positive stories about and by women pilots, a pleasure to read after this sorry tale of corporate puff and what my old dad (RAF 1936-1962) would have called line-shooting. I would like to add another one to show that an aviation career was always possible to those who worked for it.

About 35 years ago I met a delightful young woman called Judith. I think she was qualified in one of the health professions, but had always wanted to learn to fly. When she received a legacy from her grandmother she lost no time in achieving her PPL at our local flying club and from then on Judith would fly with anyone who would take her, even with me, and the more types the better. She was an excellent pilot and so appreciative when she was given the controls. I wasn't surprised to hear that she had left to pursue her CPL.

Maybe 10 years ago my wife and I were in Marks & Spencers, this being the highlight of life these days, when a diminutive figure approached. “Remember me, I'm Judith!” She had indeed won her CPL and had become a BA first officer on 747s on the Hong Kong route. Last I heard was that she had married a BA pilot and was continuing her career. If you're out there, Judith, well done. In your quiet way you have done more for women in aviation than any self-publicist.

Bergerie1

Geriavaitor,

I so agree. I was taught to fly by Yvonne Pope on a Tiger Moth in 1959. She went on to become the first woman civil ATCO and then the first jet captain in Britain. I remember her as a demanding but kindly instructor - demanding (quite rightly) of high standards, but kindly in her understanding of a young sprog coming to grips with new experiences. I shall always be very grateful for the way she introduced me to the wonderful world of aviation.

There are very many excellent women pilots - you only have to look at the pictures posted by megan. But what a pity about TCT.

Clare Prop

I agree with ShyTorque, from nearly 30 years of instructing that is my observation..

There are real equality issues out there, as shown by the Brunei crew who would have been locked up if they had tried to drive to the hotel after landing their Dreamliner.

Chris Martyr

A recently retired colleague from VAA was talking about Yvonne Pope. He was at Dan-Air where she flew DC-3's and dH Comet's amongst other things.
There has indeed been a whole colossus of female aviators throughout the decades, most of whom have just got on with the task in hand and done their duty along with their male counterparts without the need for recognition or adulation. And also didn't need to cosy up to daft old duffers in their respective little ivory towers in order to schmooze them into recognising their "achievements".
Which is why the person in question has inflamed so many genuine people within the aviation fraternity.


And Tracey,,,,,,come on now , we know you're there , what about those little questions of Jonzarno's. They ain't going to go away !

Clare Prop

How many people here have heard of Aus/NZ aviators such as:

Gaby Kennard
Janine Shepherd
Nancy Bird-Walton
Allanna Arnot
Jessie Miller
Jean Batton
Freda Thompson
Maude Bonney
Robin Miller-Dicks
Trudy Robins
Georgina Sutton
Robyn Williams

I haven't heard mention of Beryl Markham here either.

megan

Taken a few years ago when daughter was flying with the group flying assorted types of Cessna (172, 182, 210, 207) on scenic flights. Lass on the left now flying a PC-12 for a pastoral company, next not sure, next lass became the Chief Pilot of the scenic company which by then included an Aerostar - left and has own company instructing on Cessna 210 and flies a Cessna 208 as well, on the right last heard was flying a Cessna Conquest. Daughter flew Cessna Titan prior to marriage and now has two daughters to keep her grounded. Girls rule.

Helol

For me, this woman beats the TCT's of this world hands down...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Harmer

Whirlybird

Clare, I met Nancy Bird-Walton when I was on holiday in Australia some years ago. Long story...the AWPA arranged a meeting in Sydney when I was there, and someone brought Nancy along. She was 93, and had some amazing memories from her youth. I wrote an article about her for one of the UK flying magazines, so some people here HAVE heard of her. Sadly, she died a few months later.

Jean Batton is quite well known here. I must confess I hadn't heard of the others. And Beryl Markham is of course worthy of mention.

Chris Martyr

Thanks for that Helol. I do indeed remember Barbara Harmer as a BAC1-11 Capt. from my time at B.Cal in the 1980's.
She was a pretty girl with dark curly hair and something of a habitual smoker if I remember correctly.
I am very sorry to hear that she is no longer with us , and you are of course quite correct in saying that there is no comparison with the other one .

tubby linton

In 1930 New Zealander Oscar Garden flew a Moth from England to Australia with just forty hours solo flying experience.A recount of the flight is recorded in the fifth edition of The Aviation Historian. His achievement was not celebrated by any award from the Guild!

Genghis the Engineer

I think that Eve Jackson might have been mentioned before, but what the heck...

Eve Jackson

Building the aeroplane first, raising sponsorship herself, then flying solo and unsupported to Australia won her "Apprentice of the Guild " from GAPAN, now HCAP.

G

brakedwell

How about Sheila Scott? She flew round the world SOLO three times. I remember her from a dinner at Lyneham, hosted by 99 Squadron for the Ninety-Nines UK branch in the mid sixties. I thought I could sink a few beers, but I met my match in Gillian Cazalet. A great group of ladies who's enthusiam for aviation was boundless, even after a few lengthy sessions in the Britannia simulator. Unfortunately it was the only get together of the two ninety nines.

Sheila Scott

SATCOS WHIPPING BOY

Interesting how when you start to scratch the surface you quickly realise how underwhelming TCT's exploits were. The only conclusion I can draw is that she tells a good story but there is very little substance to support it, and certainly nothing worthy of ANY award.

HCAP, RNR, Portsmouth Uni etc should all be ashamed of perpetuating the yarn.

jonkster

I flew with Gaby Kennard in the late 90s (I was checking her out on a Maule as I recall, maybe a BFR?). I found her very low key and humble despite her achievements. She wouldn't remember me but I know I added footnotes next to those flights in my log book to expand who the name "Kennard" was as I thought she was pretty cool and felt proud to have had the chance to have flown with her. My brush with fame

Also met Nancy Bird years ago west of Bourke at a bush strip near Ford's Bridge - she came as guest of honour to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the town (which at that time consisted of a pub, 3 houses and a tennis court - a speck in a vast expanse of red dirt and mulga). She had used that strip at times during her career, at a time when there were no real services to assist if you got yourself into trouble out there, certainly no nav aids other than a map and a watch. She was a larger than life character even in her old age

Mike Flynn

The PR hype promulgated by TCT and her slick media machine is pure bunkum.

There has always been a warm welcome for any woman wanting to genuinely fly.

I was living in Perth,WA when Gabby Kennard did her Round the World solo trip in a PA32. No GPS in those days. What a genuine and great welcome she got with live tv pictures of her arrival back at Sydney.

I did my PPL H at Jandakot where there is a wonderful aviation memorial to Robin Miller.


After obtaining a private pilot licence and a commercial flying licence while training as a nurse, she approached the Western Australian Department of Health to ask permission to fly to northern Western Australia in order to carry out a vaccination programme.Permission granted, she borrowed money for a Cessna 182 and set out on her first flight on 22 May 1967. After travelling to remote communities, she would treat children with the Sabin vaccine in sugar lumps. She later flew with the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia.

In 1973 she married Harold Dicks, the director of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and became Robin Miller Dicks. Later that year she was sponsored along with Rosemary de Pierres to compete in the 1973 All Women’s Transcontinental Air Race across the United States, a.k.a. the Powder Puff Derby, finishing sixth past the finishing post.

Sadly she died of cancer at just 35.

Nancy Bird paid this tribute to her.



A genuine aviatrix.

Clare Prop

Jay the Mooney fell off the stick and spent a few years in the parking area on her belly...has recently been put back up on the stick . I can see it from my window right now.

Flying on borrowed time: Robin Miller the sugar bird lady - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Mike Flynn

If you can see it from your window Clare you must be on Eagle Drive?

A nice tribute to a genuine aviatrix.

Not been back for quite a few years but on my list next year.
I obtained my helicopter rating from Great Northern Helicopters at 9 Eagle Drive.

Are they still going?

Clare Prop

Col is still around. He must have been based at Amity then? Not sure where he operates from now.

ChrisJ800

I did my CPL at Clamback and Hennessy in Sydney in the late 80's and Aminta Hennessy is an inspirational woman pilot who taught many females (and males) in Sydney to become good pilots. As well as instructing she does charter and ferrying and does not seek publicity but I just found this link: HENNESSY | Pioneer Women Hall of Fame