Flying Ladies
 

As female pilots have to contend with a 28 day changing cycle in there physical and mental make up, does this change their sense of reasoning whilst they are flying during such periods. (no pun intended) The question is based on studying the reactions of lady car drivers during such periods, when I have witnessed the normally demure layed back type turn into a snarling cat, combined with a hint of sheer bloody stupidity.

OK, I'll be the first brave enough to have a go at answering this:-

YES and NO.

I did my PPL full-time. At four days, I was under a very high workload; everything was new, I had a lot to learn, it was going badly, I couldn't hover the bloody thing to save my life. It was that time. I decided I needed clear my head so I went out on my motorbike for a ride. I dropped it. In 20 years of riding a motorbike, I had never dropped it. Until then. I went back to my aircraft, even more stressed as I had the ignominy of having some bloke pick up said bike for me and I was on the verge of tears.

I didn't let my instructor see me in that state so I left. However, he probably knows about it now!! :O

BUT

Now, it's not a problem. I think it only matters when other stress levels are high. I do know of a woman airline pilot who manages to gets rostered in a particular pattern to avoid this.

It's different for all women and it is this that men must realize and it can be different for the same woman at different times. But it always a consideration when I go flying as sometimes the feeling of having your innards ripped away can be a bit much! And the backache. And the headache. And the increased body temperture. And the overflowing oestrogen. And the....er... bladder issues. But, other than that, hey, it's a breeze ;)

Cheers

Whirlygig

It’s really comes down to good CRM. As a considerate crewmember (with a basic sense of self-preservation) working alongside members of the fairer sex, you’ll soon come to know when’s a good time to hold off on the banter…

http://www.turboshaft.com/db2/00189/...ghtdarling.jpg

:E

I/C

Well said, Whirlygig, and not said often enough. :ok: I have honestly never had a problem with it. Or, at any rate, less of a problem than with the normal ups and downs of life that can make you feel better some days than others, and can easily be ignored. I know I'm fairly lucky in this respect, but I also know I'm very, very far from unique.

Thats why Lass's should stick to making babies and doing the ironing...



:p

Do you know why they call PMS, PMS?

Mad cow disease was already taken!!

;) ;) ;)

Ian
Great Picture. The Lady there just has that look in her eyes as if to say. "Dont Piss me off"

Here we go again. Is there a smilie somewhere for an extremely large yawn?

I know Whirlybird - you didn't seriously expect anything else from these guys did you?

We try to answer a serious question as helpfully as we can and hey....

I'm just waiting for my good friend Thomas Coupling to stick his oar in ;) sorry, regale us with his words of wisdom!!

Don't worry - I have dealt with Flytest in private!

Cheers

Whirlygig

"...I have witnessed the normally demure layed back type turn into a snarling cat, combined with a hint of sheer bloody stupidity..."

So for a couple of days each month women behave like men.

Having trained my share of men and women, I can assure you there is little emotional difference. I trained a male group from a very macho country and found the blend of testosterone and ego was as emotional a mix as the cockpit could stand. Even the gentlest correction was seen as a slight upon the trainee's manhood, so virtually all cockpit communications were tailored to keep commo open. I had one fellow lose control in an emotional snit while in a 42,000 lb helo at 150 knots, and another pair got in a pushing contest while on a training hop. It was a horrendous experience, but I don't see us ever comment on this type of male problem.

A simple example: one student got a bit slow on a single engine running landing, so I gently said, "Very good! Perhaps next time, you could try to be about five knots faster?"
To this obvious slur on his manhood, the trainee replied, "But I WAS five knots faster!"

It seems to me that humans have emotions and hormones, and we must learn to deal with that, regardless of the gender of the human.

No, Whirlygig, but I live in hope. :(

Right, since this thread is clearly about to go the way of all other threads which dare to mention that some of us on this forum are female, let me save you all the time and summarise the next few posts for you....

1) Someone else, not having read Flytest's post because he had a kneejerk reaction to a title like "Flying Ladies", says that women should stay in the kitchen.
2) Some wag says that if women were meant to fly the sky would be pink.
3) Some idiot dredges up some old and suspect research that suggests women might be different from men, and deduces from this that they shouldn't be flying.
4) A well meaning soul says he's flown with lots of women, and they were really good pilots, honestly, some of them were even better than some of the men!
5) Someone says he once knew a woman pilot, just one, a very long time ago. And one day she burst into tears, and this obviously proves that she was a Bad Pilot, and therefore that all women are Bad Pilots.
6) Someone says very reasonably that gender makes no difference, that we use hands and feet and heads to fly, not certain other appendages...this person is completely and utterly and studiously ignored by everyone for the rest of the thread.
7) Someone says that he wouldn't want to be married to a woman pilot becasue he wants someone at home to do the ironing and take care of his kids. He then deduces from this, with utterly faultless logic, that therefore no other women should fly.
8) Someone else who doesn't read what went before points out that the sky isn't pink so women shouldn't be pilots...of course he's firmly convinced he's the first person in the whole world ever to say it.
9) Someone says that with the shortage of jobs in aviation, women shouldn't be taking them. He's been out of work for ages, and it's not fair; it couldn't be due to the fact he keeps trashing helicopters and yelling at colleagues and getting pissed, now could it? No definitely not, a woman took HIS job.
10) A new poster expresses amazement at the amount of sexism exhibited in this day and age. He is mystified. He too, is completely and utterly ignored.

And where are Whirlybird and Whirlygig? Out flying, or in the pub; they have more sense than to argue with this lot.

Right, now that's all settled, isn't it? Everybody happy?

Well said, you forgot one thing only.

Some one will always think he's the first person in the world to crack a joke about cock pits and box offices!

And sometimes the sky IS PINK!!!!!!!

Blind

Hats off
 

I say 'hats off to the ladies' here for there initial sensible answers, when, I for one, was expecting a bit of a back lash to the possible perceived impertinance of asking the question. But, having been mistaken, I found the replies interesting.

Good comment from Nick regarding the 'macho' element.

Most of my training was carried out by a female instructor who was absolutely brilliant - balanced, no macho issues and good fun. It's a question of knowing your limitations and being prepared to act responsibly. I remember when setting up my own business a few years ago giving up fixed wing flying since, although affording it was becoming a huge problem, the stress and preoccupation with my own thoughts meant it was safer to stop doing it.

Thankfully the business succeeded and now I can fly what I've always wanted to fly - helis!

2Sticks

Nick I think we all want to hear more.

I had my share of macho pilots. One instructor almost killed me while showing off. Fortunately for me, he was not able to do what he claimed, that saved us from slinging a load in to the trees.
For my plank rating I had a female instructor. Thank god for that. It was pure fun - except the spin training. Ever since I have that feeling that airplanes are inheretly dangerous.

...TOUCHE ! ;) :ok:

Now Anne, if operations could use Match.com to arrange mutually agreeable flight schedules to take advantage of those three days, RON's would be much more enjoyable. Let's patent the software! ;)

Nice one, Anne. :ok: :) ;)

As old as Methuzeller or whatever his name was, what you are talking about is really a state of mind at any particular moment in the life of man.

Its like this at my house, a love hate thing really, or mind over matter, Mrs Vfr dosn't mind, and I don't matter, one word of caution from me,... and she does what she wants.

Real men know when to do as they are told!:ouch: :{

Vfr:ugh:

Flying Ladies
 

Right you chaps! By use of this cunningly phrased question ive got the girls to give you the information that matters. Ive even got it down to the three days that offer the best chance for a conquest. Now then, if the ladies that replied, have the looks to go along with there obviously brilliant minds oooooohhhhhh.

And you may as well do it sooner rather than later, because you're going to do it eventually, anyway. As the old saw goes, I always get the last word in any argument. "Yes, dear!"

Whirly girls

I know Flytest very well.. I also know he has a particular habit of bedding female pilots.

In his words "If they are in my bed, they are out of the sky"

:rolleyes:

Well now, Double Echo, it appears as if you have 3 days every 28-30 in which to get lucky with any female (pilot or otherwise) and 3 days in which you risk getting your head bitten off.

Do you know, I can't remember where I am in my cycle, is it the second week or the third? In the all the excitement, I appear to have forgotten so tell me, are you feeling lucky punk?

NIGINOO - modesty forbids me to say whether my looks match my brains (unlikely actually as I am very, very clever) but I think I am prettier than most pilots (and certainly smell a lot nicer ;))

Cheers

Whirlygig

Whats the Difference between a Rottweiler and a woman with Pmt ??

You can make friends with a Rottweiler LOL:)



o.k i'm leaving..
:ok:

Hmmm I've just done some sums. The gentleman that kindly started this topic hinted that us ladies are a bit poorly for a few days a month. Shall we call a few three? Well I've flown AS332l's on the North Sea for 4 years without being sick. So thats 3 days a month I'm owed........36 days a year........let's call that a month.


So am I due 4 months off for untaken PMT leave?


HUZZAHHHHHHH


Blind:O

Every month I tell people I suffer from headaches and stomach cramps. I become very clumsy and forgetful and I tend to drop things a lot. I also get very grumpy and tired. I know I'm being aggressive and rude, but I tell people "It's just me hormones so I can't help it".

As a strong believer in equal rights I just do it on purpose as I'm definitely NOT female....... :E

Hmmm, I think the last time I had time off work for sickness was when I had flu in....I think it was 1997!!!!!!!! How many days off am I owed? I think I'll go on a world tour.

One thing Whirlygig didn't mention was that not all women have regular menstrual cycles. I'm not talking about a couple of days different either...how about anything from 21 to 35 days????!!!! OK, now try and work out when you're going to get lucky. ;)

ShyT,

I'm so glad you believe in equal rights. How about, once a month, I kick you in the gonads and then you can genuinely suffer the pain! Just one of the many helpful services I can offer!!

Cheers

Whirlygig

Whirlygig,

Thanks for the kind offer but I have suffered quite enough pain already as I have been married for nearly thirty years.

(Wouldn't want Mrs. S getting jealous, that's her job ;) )

Jesus mate! you only get 10 years for Murder!! just think you would be out by now! LOL:)

:ok: :ok: :ok: Remember! can't live with em! Can't shoot em....:E

Flying Ladies
 

I have worked as an engineer (mechanic) on helicopters and fixed wing for almost 40 years and recently my partner and I bought a Beech 18 floatplane for summer operations in Canada. My partner is an ATP/IFR fixed wing with over 1000 hours on the Beech floats, over 3000 hours floats, 7000 hours total, as well she has her commercial rotary. She is without a doubt, the most meticulous pilot I have ever worked with and her care of the aircraft is second to none. She will outwork most of the people I have worked with, including me.
I have never at any time even thought of her monthly cycle with regard to her as a woman/pilot/worker. She is just good at what she does and is a real asset in our operation. I'm sure having to put up with me causes her more aggro than she needs.
Even in aviation, I'm surprized the subject came up at all. In 1967, when I obtained my PPL/CPL, I was trained by a lady pilot who was a ferry pilot during the war and I have never forgot what an exceptional person/pilot she was.

Regards
carholme

Flying Ladies
 

For Gods sake, are you men or bloody mice. Women were put on this earth for one thing only. They were not designed to be police constables, navvies, bus drivers,managers,refuse collectors, driving or flying instructors, wrestlers, boxers,or for that matter have any job that a man would normally do. No, they were put here in the first place to please men. the situation has been changed by men who make these silly statements ie, she knows whos the boss etc. Keep them in there place I say. Underneath you whenever possible.

bug,
I hope you are wearing rubber soled shoes, because God has read your post, and She is mighty angry!

Whirlygig, you've hurt my feelings now! I'm gutted that you could possibly think I had anything but praise for the fairer sex.
I think the least you could do to make amends is to give me your mobile number so that we could discuss this further...........
trust me, I'm a pilot :E

I remember a harrier pilot chatting a hostie up at an airdisplay we were in, in Jersey some years back.
He'd been eyeing her up for ages and eventually after a few beers, walked through the crowded room up to the crowded bar pushing lesser mortals aside, until he was next to her.
In a loud, deep voice (trying to speak above the noisy room) he looked her straight in the eyes and said:
"How do you fancy your eggs in the morning sweetheart"?

And she responded with:

"Not fertilised by you thanks sunshine"

and carried on chatting to the barman :ok:

I wonder if the ladies ever considered the sheer anguish we men go through.....they just do not seem to give a second thought to the Pain of Conception we must endure. There just isn't any justice since we gave them the vote.....since then it has been down hill all the way.

;)

flying ladies
 

Girls
Just use the standard retort...why should I lower myself to be equal ??!!

TC,

Glad you're back - did you have a good Christmas? Now, I know you're not really hurt because you have ever such broad shoulders ;) If I can take the flak, so can you!! Trust me, I'm a pilot :ok:

SASLess - this must be similar to the pre-menstrual tension that many women go through each month. "Am I pregnant? Am I pregnant? Phew! No. Thank God!"

Cheers

Whirlygig

"this must be similar to the pre-menstrual tension that many women go through each month. "Am I pregnant? Am I pregnant? Phew! No. Thank God!"

Now there's a coincidence! That's exactly what many men go through, too. "Is she pregnant? Phew, no, Thank God!"

Funny thing that this thread appeared just now. I had a conversation with a lady some two days ago.

She is not a pilot but she stated that women make less good pilots because during their period they tend to be very short-tempred or getting angry much more easily. Obviously her not being a pilot her argument does not hold a lot ot water but nervertheless it does show something...

I believe that often PMS or dysmynoria are merely excuses, and a woman that is happy about herself doesn't really suffer.


Any comments from the ladies
Rwy in Sight

Whaddya think I've been doing for the last three pages?

Oh pur-leeze. IF (and I mean IF) this comment really did come from a woman she must be very, very young. Women who come out with crap like that are doing the rest of us (herself included) no favours whatsoever. SHE might not make a good pilot because SHE gets short-tempered but, as I have said oft enough, it can affect women in different ways and affect the women diferently at different times especially as you get older (ahem).

I have my own personal considerations to make at particular times (I'm getting coy in my old age) but, I can promise all you blokes, getting short-tempered is not one of them.

Oh no they are not. If a woman suffers from these, it ain't fecking funny and it has nothing to do with how happy they are with themselves but a hormone imbalance.

Now, I am normally pretty laid back and rarely rise to the bait but Rwy, this post takes the biscuit. Comments such as those from Bugdevheli are simply treated with the contempt they deserve and are so predicatable, it's sad. But your post, recounting what a female friend has said just makes me want to groan inwardly.