‘Flying grandmother’ dies

Press, 27 October 1982, Page 3

‘Flying grandmother’ dies

Christchurch’s barnstorming grandmother of the airways. Mrs Hilda Alexander (shown above) has died in Christchurch. She was 86. Mrs Alexander, whose exploits in the air gained world-wide attention during . the late 1960 s and early 19705. was known as the “flying grandmother." She first gained notoriety in 1969 when she stood-on the wings of a Tiger Moth, piloted by her son. Mr Ronald Alexander, as it flew over Blenheim. After her performance at a special pageant at the Omaka airfield. Mrs Alexan-

der said she wanted to show that an adventurous spirit was not the prerogative of the young. Mrs Alexander, then a grandmother of seven, described her stunt as “a bit breezy" but good fun. Later the same year, about 12.000 people turned out at the Rangiora airfield to watch the "flying grandmother" go through her paces. Mrs Alexander made her last acrobatic flight in the mid-70s before the death of her son broke their partnership. He was killed instantly in 1976 when a Tiger Moth he was piloting stalled and

crashed on to the Motueka airfield. The funeral of Mrs Alexander. who is survived by. her daughter. Mrs Rosenea Cherry, will be held today.