CHAMPION AIR WOMAN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20355, 12 March 1928, Page 12

CHAMPION AIR WOMAN.

DISTINCTION FOR LADY BAILEY. FRENCH AWARD. (From Oue Own Correspondent.) LONDON, January 19. Lndy Champion Aviator cf the World ” i« 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 ths title of “ Champion Aviator of the World.” . “ I have always been keen on flying, said Lady Bailey, chatting to a press representative, “ and I have really looked upon my plane as any private person would look upon his motor ear—the best and quickest way of getting about. 1 took out my pilot’s certificate in 1926, and did tpnte a lot oi flying last year. I -keep my I'-.H. Moth garaged at Ldgaware, 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 lovu piloting my own machine, and I think women will use tha private aeroplane increasingly in tha future in place of the car. It is understood that the special clam> which Ladv Bailey had upon the conn niittee iu making their award was her piloting capabilities. The adnei ementa of Miss Ruth Elder and Madame Lilho Dillcnz were made with the assistance of men pilots. , , , Ladv Bailers air career has been meteoric. Among her achievements may be mentioned that:— • She holds the worldV height record for lin-ht aeroplanes (18,000 ft). P Bcat 13 men in a Birmingham 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. ■ The daughter of the firth 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 she was slightly stunned bv the whirling propeller of a machine- ssh was about to fly at Stas Lane aerodrome.