Post by Ed Burke on Jan 13, 2009 7:19:52 GMT -5
An Aussie legend died today. Nancy Bird Walton was Australia's first female commercial pilot. Her first two flying lessons were with Charles Kingsford Smith and she went on to have a very distinguished career.
She was the founder of the Australian Womens Pilots Association and remained active in that organisation all her life. Always very approachable she was ever willing to help anybody in the flying game.
In the late '90s she was declared to be a 'Living National Treasure' such was the regard in which she was held.
She was the author of several books and probably the last was the best, "My God! It's a Woman" a wonderful account of a fascinating life. The title was inspired by the comment of an intending (male) passenger upon seeing her in charge of the aircraft in the days when 'only men flew'.
Good on you Nancy.
www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/nancy_bird_walton_bio.html
www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/13/2465268.htm?section=justin
www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/13/2465041.htm?section=justin
She was the founder of the Australian Womens Pilots Association and remained active in that organisation all her life. Always very approachable she was ever willing to help anybody in the flying game.
In the late '90s she was declared to be a 'Living National Treasure' such was the regard in which she was held.
She was the author of several books and probably the last was the best, "My God! It's a Woman" a wonderful account of a fascinating life. The title was inspired by the comment of an intending (male) passenger upon seeing her in charge of the aircraft in the days when 'only men flew'.
Good on you Nancy.
www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/nancy_bird_walton_bio.html
www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/13/2465268.htm?section=justin
www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/13/2465041.htm?section=justin
