Craig Hill
KC Hill
Paladin
Oracle of DelphiNancy Bird-Walton
January 13th 2009 07:43
Australian aviation pioneer Nancy Bird Walton died today at her Sydney home, aged 93. Named a Living National Treasure by the National Trust of Australia in 1997, she was one of Australia's aviation pioneers, and the first female pilot in the Commonwealth to carry passengers.
Born in Sydney in 1915, Nancy wanted to fly almost as soon as she could walk. "I had this reputation of climbing fences and trees and calling myself an eppy plane. You know, jumping off fences and waving my arms."
Nancy left school early to work in her father's general store in the country. "With my hard-won savings I bought myself a leather coat, helmet and goggles, because I was going to learn to fly."
Nancy was thirteen years old when she flew for the first time while at an air pageant. She paid the pilot a bit extra to do some aerobatics! "My sister said I came down a little green - but on the other hand it became the ruling passion of my life."
In October last year, she attended the inaugural Australian landing of Qantas' first super passenger jet the A380, named the Nancy Bird Walton in her honour.
"There's a wonderful quotation 'whatever you can do or dream, begin it'."
Adapted from the detailed biography of Nancy Bird-Walton at the link above.
Born in Sydney in 1915, Nancy wanted to fly almost as soon as she could walk. "I had this reputation of climbing fences and trees and calling myself an eppy plane. You know, jumping off fences and waving my arms."
Nancy left school early to work in her father's general store in the country. "With my hard-won savings I bought myself a leather coat, helmet and goggles, because I was going to learn to fly."
Nancy was thirteen years old when she flew for the first time while at an air pageant. She paid the pilot a bit extra to do some aerobatics! "My sister said I came down a little green - but on the other hand it became the ruling passion of my life."
In October last year, she attended the inaugural Australian landing of Qantas' first super passenger jet the A380, named the Nancy Bird Walton in her honour.
"There's a wonderful quotation 'whatever you can do or dream, begin it'."
Adapted from the detailed biography of Nancy Bird-Walton at the link above.
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