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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. :hmm: IMHO male or female should make no difference, the desire to do it is all that matters.
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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. |
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. |
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. |
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 ! |
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. |
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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.
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For me, this woman beats the TCT's of this world hands down...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Harmer |
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. |
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 . |
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!
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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 |
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 |
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. |
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 :) |
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. https://s27.postimg.org/7n1tr74sj/IMG_3220.jpg 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. "One was a solo flight from Paris to Australia. And in another one, I think she actually came across the Pacific. Later, did a copilot flight across the Atlantic. So she circumnavigated the world. She was one of the outstanding women pilots of the 20th century and we should recognise her as such." A genuine aviatrix. |
"Mooney on a stick"
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) |
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? |
Col is still around. He must have been based at Amity then? Not sure where he operates from now.
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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
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Aminta is a legend at Bankstown.
Dozens of solo ferry crossings over the Pacific and in single engine aircraft. 1978 - First Australian woman to fly solo across the Atlantic in a single engine aircraft First woman to complete solo back-to-back flights across the Pacific All these wonderful female pilots have been so modest and just got on with the job. Such as this pilot in the UK press. The last deployed Royal Navy Lynx helicopter has retired from service after 41 years. Flight 208 flew home to RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, today following its nine month deployment on the frigate HMS Portland. It was welcomed back to the base by commander Phil Richardson, the commanding officer, and flown by lieutenant Laura Cambrook. https://s3.postimg.org/6kmlnktbn/IMG_3222.jpg |
Yes hats off to Aminta for sure!
Trudy Robins is an inspirational woman, as well as one of the nicest people you could ever meet. Possibly the most highly qualified testing officer in the country? Bonnie Henderson never got as much attention as her mother but she did some pretty amazing flying too. |
https://s17.postimg.org/6pwqawtr3/Kathburnham.jpg
It's great to hear such inspirational stories emerge from this sad saga even though their subjects often shun publicity rather than seeking the limelight. Even more impressive is that most have achieved their respect and standing by their own efforts, and have done more to further aviation than a formation of TCTs. Among my own stars must be Kath Burnham, instructor extraordinaire, and I hope she won't mind me relating this story as an inspiration to all youngsters. While visiting Paull (Hull) for the Barnstormers display in June 1971 the club secretary Ken Charles asked me if I would take his young friend Kath for a flight in my Tiger Moth. “She's never away from the airfield,” he said. “She's mad about aviation, she'll do any job she can to help the club, and she really wants a flight in a Tiger”. Kath, then about 13 years, was brimming with enthusiasm and made a good fist of the TM even though she could hardly see over the side. She told me she would be a pilot one day; Ken reckoned she would go far in the airline world. Fast forward another decade and the boot was on the other foot, for Kath had become a senior instructor at Kidlington when I trained for my instrument rating. In retirement many years later, I tuned in for a TV programme on the DC3 and there in the left seat was Kath, by now one of the country's most respected instructors with 2000 hours on the Dakota. Today she is head of flight training at Command Pilot Training in Coventry. |
Right, if I may attempt to summarise the last couple of pages of posts...
Women have been doing some pretty amazing flights since...fairly soon after the dawn of aviation. Some are still doing so today. Others are just flying. There seem to be fewer of them doing so than is the case for men, either because they don't want to, or they think they can't, or a combination of the two. But it's not a big deal. Men have done the same kind of things, and aren't mentioned, so why should we mention the women? After all, flying doesn't require great physical strength or use of any particular anatomical appendages. It's just another skill, which almost anyone can acquire if they have a modicum of intelligence, coordination, and determination (and money of course). That being so, what on earth was all the fuss about TCT in the first place? Why is all that fuss continuing now? She's a silly little girl (I'm being polite) who tried to make out she was doing something extraordinary - and even if she'd done it all solo it wouldn't have been that special, never mind now. As for what she has or hasn't done for the cause of women in aviation, is this even a 'cause', well into the 21st century? I don't think so. That being the case, it would be nice if all references to her on Wikipedia, Facebook, and everywhere else were removed. I wish they could be. She's a big yawn, and a waste of space. And I know I speak for a lot of other pilots, male and female, in saying this. I was going to include PPRuNe in the above list. I probably should. But dammit, I do rather enjoy reading this increasingly pointless thread! |
I really do find all these stories inspirational. For me, at least, it's the stories that impress and not the gender of those they are about.
And to think that they have all come together here in this thread. :) Causing people to post them here is probably Ms Curtis-Taylor's only real contribution to aviation, and we should thank her for it! :p Of course, none of these truly impressive aviators can match her achievements in bullsh1tting her way to a bunch of undeserved awards. So she's ahead of them on one count at least....... :E |
Janine Shepherd AM
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Nice synopsys Whirly.
Jonzarno really sums it up in a few words. As for me then if I had truly made some historic flights I would want to celebrate where it all started. In TCT's case it was Ardmore,Auckland New Zealand. A small flying community where everyone knows everyone. Has she returned to fly again with the military pilots she trained with? https://s2.postimg.org/i3mmu8b7t/IMG_3224.jpg https://scontent.fbkk5-7.fna.fbcdn.n...03&oe=5924EBC9 The big question is what does Liz Needham know? She was a major player of the flight training set up when TCT got her licence. Was our intrepid aviatrix the real champion of advancing women in aviation at Ardmore while mere instructors took care of the mundane tasks? Outside of New Zealand’s small aviation community, most people won’t have heard of Liz Needham. Yet this remarkable Kiwi has achieved many first's for women’s aviation in this country and today is one of only two female Spitfire pilots in the world. Few would argue that she is New Zealand’s most experienced female pilot and a great role model for any aspiring aviator. Inspired by her brothers, Liz signed up with the Rex Flying School at Ardmore in 1974, clocking up her first solo flight in February that year. Just over forty years later her log book records 25,000 hours flying time… mostly on commercial airliners (for work) and warbirds (for play). Liz is currently an Air New Zealand captain on 767s but it is the challenge of the warbird flying that really ignites her passion for flying. Along with husband Frank Parker, she has enjoyed much involvement with the New Zealand Warbirds Association. This group is dedicated to restoring, preserving and flying ex-military aircraft. It began in the late 1970s with the focus on ex-RNZAF aircraft but today encompasses a huge range of types from Russia, China, the US and beyond. Located on Harvard Lane at Ardmore Airport, the group now have a visitor centre and considerable warbird educational resource. “Ardmore is the home of New Zealand Warbirds so I have been a member right from the start. As you can imagine it is a privilege to fly these historic planes,” Liz says. The group support pilots wanting to fly warbirds and work hard to get the aircraft out and about at airshows and open days. About ten years ago, Liz began flying in the ‘Roaring Forties’ aerobatic display team. Flying ex-RNZAF Harvard trainers, the Roaring Forties team are the flag bearers of the New Zealand Warbirds Association. Again it was the challenge, Liz says, that drew her in to this demanding flying role where precision aerobatics are performed in front of large crowds. But it is also the opportunity to honour those that flew the aircraft in combat, when the team undertake flypasts at ANZAC and other commemorative services. Always cool and calm, Liz takes each new challenge in her stride and has also been a display pilot at the popular Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow since 2000, piloting the P-40 Kittyhawk as well as the Harvards. Five years ago, when the Civil Aviation Authority approved a rule change to allow paying passengers into warbirds, Liz and Frank began Warbird Adventure Rides. The couple take people for the flight of their life in their AT-6 Harvard, Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk or in a colleague’s Supermarine Spitfire. Customers are universally thrilled with their experience and comments on social media tell the story best, such as the following… “This is the sort of place where you want to just go back and sit near the hangars, even if it's raining, even to just play cards, beside some of the most beautiful and well cared for classic Warbird aircraft.” So between flying 767s, taking joyrides in WWII fighters and working the airshow circuit, does Liz have time for anything else? Well, yes, she has her own flying school at Ardmore and in 1983 became the first woman in New Zealand to gain an A Category instructors rating. An ‘A Cat’, as it is known in aviation circles, is the highest possible qualification for instructors and Liz’s school has been described as one of New Zealand’s premier training facilities. Her influence in the aviation world continues to be felt strongly throughout New Zealand, particularly as a great inspiration to Kiwi women. www.nzawa.org.nz website Nor can I find any credits from the NZ Warbirds. Interestingly her claim to have been trained by military pilots has disappeared from the wiki entry. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracey_Curtis-Taylor This is Liz Needham, a true aviatrix. https://resources.stuff.co.nz/conten...4355904514.jpg |
re. "her claim to have been trained by military pilots has disappeared from the wiki entry" - how odd - her web page Tracey Curtis Taylor - Aviatrix, Adventurer, Inspirational Speaker still says
"Shortly after her return Tracey migrated to New Zealand and began flying in earnest. She gained her private pilot’s licence, commercial licence and an instructor rating and, unusual for a woman, was trained by military pilots to fly World War II aeroplanes with the New Zealand Warbird Association." (my bold) |
She went to South Africa in 1982 where she worked for
several months before returning to the UK overland in a Bedford truck - a journey that took five months camping through savannah, jungle and desert. I wonder where she wants us to think that "jungle" was ? |
According to her Facebook page a few hours ago:
"The Spirit of Artemis wintered at 3G Classic Aviation in Austria/Hungary while I had been overseas for some time, missing most of the British winter. I will be bringing the bird back to the UK in a few weeks ..... ready for the next flying and airshow season." Hopefully she should be then be available to answer a few questions and clear up any unfortunate misunderstandings that seem to have arisen. |
Last comment on that Facebook entry is from someone 'hoping I'll run into you on the circuit'. Evidence shows it's likely to be the other way round...:E
I think she's delusional if she believes it's going to be 'business as usual' for next season. |
Don't worry about the circuit, she was trained by military pilots.
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airshow season G |
As they say in Newfoundland "The lady seems to be a few planks short of a full load" I find it appalling that so called "reputed organisations" still haven't withdrawn the awards they gave her, there MUST be other reasons why they have not done this, they are now becoming the laughing stock of the industry, unfortunately the Mods have a difficult task in this age of liability, but at least one of them knows the REAL reason.
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Clare Prop , that was an incredible bit of You-Tube footage with Janine Shepherd . It was moving enough just hearing about her bike crash, but the aviation content at the end was just fantastic ....:D
I'm sure that TC-T probably has a bit of an aversion to You-Tube after the "Herne Bay Tapes", but had she not been caught out , then she could have taken a few pointers from Ms Shepherd. Too late now unfortunately. THAT,,,,,,,,is what an 'inspirational speaker' sounds like . And for 'the avoidance of embarrassment', I will desist in mentioning Janine's flying achievements . |
The TCT fiasco has been brought home to me even more today with the news of the Irish Coast Guard helicopter crash. The captain happens to have been female but that fact is not the reason for this comment. This dreadful and tragic accident illustrates the risks taken by the crews. It demonstrates their dedication and bravery. It also demonstrates the absolutely farcical nature of the awards given to TCT and the shallowness therein. A very sad day.
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Seconded Lind, I'm afraid there is nothing more I could add.
Three missing crew members from Rescue 116 named as tributes pour in for mum-of-one Captain Dara Fitzpatrick - Independent.ie |
Lind, Megan
I could not agree more! What an awful tragedy (regardless of the pilot's gender!). We should never take for granted what those manning the rescue helos do for us: especially those of us who regularly fly SEPs over water. But it does put TCT's "achievements" into a sad but telling context. |
Ghengis
TCT has had a DA for some time, including formation members and formation lead. Whether her DA is current, I do not know. |
Originally Posted by fwjc
(Post 9716903)
Ghengis
TCT has had a DA for some time, including formation members and formation lead. Whether her DA is current, I do not know. |
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