WOMEN PILOTS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 42, 27 August 1928, Page 17

WOMEN PILOTS

SKILL IN THE AIR SOME RECORD HOLDERS I am firmly convinced that aviation, has conic to stay, so far as our women are concerned, as in Russia, China, Japan, Rumania, Sweden, Holland, and all those other countries which boast of successful women pilots (writes Lady Heath during the course of an interview with an English journalist). It is little realised tho parts women have played in the history of man's conquest of tho air. They are many and glorious. Sho has stood by him, not only in tho actual flying, but in the general development and construction of aircraft, and when she has not dono this she has helped in less direct but not less substantial ways by her encouragement and support. For instance, the name of Wright will always remain ono of tho most outstanding names in the air world, and Orville Wright has himself told us that if ever ICeir names were spoken of in connection with aviation the world must remember tho name of their sister Catherine. Catherine Wright, who was a schoolteacher, never married, so that she might earn money to enable her brothers to continue- their experiments, which have made aviation possible to us all. And she whose name, alas, is too often forgotten when we speak of that famous family,' is still taking a keen interest in the progress of the world's, aviation from her homo in America. As early as 1911 a number of women took their certificates as' pilots. Mrs. do Beauvoir Stocks and Mrs. Maurice Hewlett, who afterwards ran her own aircraft factory, and who taught her own sou to become ono of the most brililant pilots in the war, were two of our own country-women to do so. In America, Miss Harriet Quimby and Miss Mbisant also did so, and Miss Quimby, who spent some time giving exhibitions in flying, holds the distinction of being the first ,woman to fly across the English Channel, which she did in 1912. And here are many others. In 1912 Miss Ruth Law, of America, and Mile. Bolland took their certificates, and their enthusiasm for the wid- spaces of the air is still undiminished. Miss Law, who .is now Mrs. Oliver, still flies in the States, whero she-first looped the loop in 1915, and rah her own Flying Circus in 1916 and 1917. In the same year she broke the world's long-distanco record for women by flying 590 miles, from Chicago to ' New York, and the next year sho put up tho altitude record of that time with 15,000 fiot. This, however, now stands at 23,000 feet. Mile. Bolland was in ehargo for some years of all French matters on aviation 'in the Argentine, and flew across the Andes, a feat which many men havo since failed to do. Then Catherine Stinsoii runs a school of aviation with her brothers and another sister at St. Antonio, and is herself a brilliant pilot. She is' little and dainty, but a thoroughly competent airwoman, and always inspires confidenco in those who accompany her on her flights. To show the extent in which flying has gained in popularity in Great Britain, it is only necessary to mention that already thero aro some fifteen light airplane clubs in existence in various parts of England. Tho question of expense has possibly deterred many others from taking to tho sport, but anyono can learn to fly for under £30, and they can do so in somo twenty lessons of thirty minutes each. As members of a club they are provided with a 'plane, but they can purchaso thoir own machine for £600, and this only costs about £15 to £20 a month for upkeep, depreciation, insurance, garaging, and fuel expenses. And this will allow of flight of between 2000 and 3000 miles a month. Having learned to fly, and having accomplished a two hours' solo flight, tho aviator has to obtain an "A" or private license. Later, if she wants to tako it up to make it pay she must take out a "B," or commercial license which necessitates a stricter examination, both modical and theoretical, which is a good thing, as it makes for the safety of passengers. There are three women in England holding commercial licenses—myself, Miss O'Brien, and Miss Spooner—and there is a real possibility of others in Great Britain entering this new profession, as they have done so successfully in America for many years past. Aviation, in fact, is daily becoming a cheap meuiou transport, and under tho Air Ministry scheme of popularising flying by tho subsidising of light airplane clubs more and more women are learning to-do so. Apart from the thorough suitability of the woman who is good at games, who drives her motor, and who leads the normal, healthy out-of-door life, for actual piloting, there is a great deal.of pleasure to be had from short trips as a.' passenger, which any associated member of these clubs can undertake. The woman who has flown will never give it up, for she has realised the joy and happiness that comes from being so dissociated from the world when one gets above tho clouds and mists that, alas, too often hang around our shores. And it must be remembered that no special clothing is required, except a loose skirt for getting in and out, a small, close-fitting hat, and a warm coat.. Yes, women have not only taken enthusiastically to flying, but I am sure .they will continue to do so in great numbers in the near future.