FEMININE CHALLENGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 5, 6 January 1934, Page 12

FEMININE CHALLENGE.

TO MALE PILOTS.

That the air is no longer man's domain lias been proved definitely by women pilots, not only abroad, but in Australia, during the year just ended. Although women hold only 32 out of nearly GOO pilots' licenses now in force in Australia, they have achieved numerous successes in open competition. The record of Miss.Freda 51. Thompson, of Melbourne, may be instanced. During 1932 she won, in addition to numerous Victorian Aero Club competitions, the following important events:— Peninsula Air Derby, Mornington, Victoria; Regent Cup, Aerial Derby championship and aerobatics championship, Adelaide Air Pageant; and R. W. Heath Trophy, 1932, for most efficient woman pilot of the year. Mrs. M. R; Bonney (Brisbane), following a flight from Brisbane to Wangaratta (Victoria), 1300 miles, in a day, flew back again safely in fast time. About three months ago she flew solo around Australia. Miss M. E. Doylo (Brisbane) outdistanced a big field to annex the Aerial Derby at Maryborough, Queensland, in August. Mrs. Helen Chambers (Victoria) won + lin Geoffrey Syme Trophy of the Victorian Aero Club. Mrs. F. L. Scholz (nee Miss Rebe Griffiths), of Goulburn, secured her "B" or commercial license at the age of 19. Mrs. F. I. Jackson (Tasmania) won the Tnsmanian Aerial Derby in February, defeating a large field of male pilots. Miss Mary R. Murray (Melbourne) secured the H. G. Darling trophy for "blind flying" from an open field. Miss Irene Deane-Williams, of Goomalling (West Australia), accomplished a solo flight across Australia to Sydney in March-April last. Most of the pilots mentioned regularly take their places in formations and journey to country air pageants, going through all the tasks assigned to male pilots.