CHAMPION AIR WOMAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3862, 20 March 1928, Page 11

CHAMPION AIR WOMAN.

DISTINCTION FOR LADY BAILEY.

FRENCH AWARD

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

, LONDON, January 19. Lady Champion Aviator of the orld ” 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 ou 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 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 Edgeware, 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 ear.” It is understood that the special claim which Lady Bailey had upon the committee in making their award was her piloting capabilities. The achievements of Miss Ruth Elder and Madame Lillie Dillenz 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 record for light aeroplanes (18,000 ft ■Beat 13 men in a Birmingham air pageant handicap. Was one of tne first women to flv 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, ip 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 by the whirling propeller of a machine she was about to fly at S«.ag Lane aerodrome.