CHAMPION AIRWOMAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19891, 9 March 1928, Page 5

CHAMPION AIRWOMAN.

LADY BAILEY'S DISTINCTION.

"Lady Champion Aviator of tlie Wcrl<T* is the title that has been awarded to Lady Bailey, wife of Sir Abe Bailey, by the International League of Aviators in

Paris, , . - ' ■ Colonel Lindbergh was awarded the International trophy for men for 1927, with the title of "Champion Aviator of the World."

"I have always been keen on flying," said Lady Bailey, chatting to a representative of the London press, "and I have really looked upon my plane as any private person would look upon bis motor-car —the best and quickest way of getting about. I took out my' pilot's certificate in 1926, and did quite a lot of flying last year. I keep my D.H. Moth garaged at Edgware, and when I feel like a run I fly where I want to. »Sometimes I take a passenger, but many, of my flights have been alone. I love piloting my; own, machine, and I think women will use the private aeroplane increasingly in the future in place of the car.'' It is understood that the special claim which Lady Raiiey had upon the.committee in making their award was her piloting capabilities. The ' achievements of Miss Ruth Elder and Madame Lillie Dill#hz were made with the assistance of men pilots. Lady Bailey's air career has been meteoric. Among her achievements may be mentioned that: She holds the world's height recoVd for light aeroplanes ; (18,000 ft.); Beat 15 men in" a liirmingham air pageant handicap. Was one of the first women, to fly the Irish Sea. alone. Was the only woman to compete in King's Air Cup race. . t The daughter of the .fifth Lord Rossmore, Lady Bailey was married 16 .years ago, and her husband, Sir Abe Bailey, is . - said to be South Africa's richest millionaire. She has only had one real flying accident, and that was last April, when sho vfos slightly stunned by the whirling propeller of a. machine nbe was about to fly at Stag Lane aerodrome.