When Aviation Is in Your Blood
As a teenager the notion of soaring high in an aeroplane pushed me to learn to fly.
In those days it was not something females generally did and my father was against it from the start.
But where there is a will there is always a way.
My chance came when my brother-in-law encouraged me to join the Australian Air League.
It was a fabulous idea and here they encouraged their members to learn all about the workings of a plane.
If other pilots have this kind of feeling driving them forward then it is easy to understand how and why they join the military services.
It was my pleasure to meet some of these dedicated protectors of our country in the not too distant future.
My ultimate thrill came with trips to Bankstown aerodrome, just west of Sydney.
The air force pilots would spend Saturday and Sunday training on small planes like the Chipmunk.
It was sheer delight when one invited me to accompany him on doing circuits and bumps, that is landings and take-offs.
The insight into their training was an eye-opener as they spend hours doing these mundane things to get their wings before they can fly the big planes or jets.
But what was on show here was their gentlemanly manner and willingness to support others who did not have a sponsor like the Australian government behind them.
At that time my one and only airborne experience had been on a commercial flight to Newcastle and back when around 13 years of age.
It was so extraordinary that my letter to my parents while away contained just about every exciting view of the coastline from Sydney to Newcastle and included notes about the bumps and air wobbles, which some call turbulence.
Going on from here it was great to take flying lessons and to feel the throb of the engines in my hands as I gripped the control stick when my student pilot friend allowed me to try my hand at flying.
Week after week we did that and in the end it was so great that even though my license to fly was unattainable my satisfaction in doing something that had been my blood for so long was indescribable.
The Air Force is a great institution for many who crave to be pilots and my experience led to an understanding of the excitement and thrills that many receive who defend the country during war time.
With heroes like Douglas Bader and the Dam Busters as guides to what they can achieve and of their bravery in some ways it is sad that my sexuality and ambitions did not give me the same experiences.
In those days it was not something females generally did and my father was against it from the start.
But where there is a will there is always a way.
My chance came when my brother-in-law encouraged me to join the Australian Air League.
It was a fabulous idea and here they encouraged their members to learn all about the workings of a plane.
If other pilots have this kind of feeling driving them forward then it is easy to understand how and why they join the military services.
It was my pleasure to meet some of these dedicated protectors of our country in the not too distant future.
My ultimate thrill came with trips to Bankstown aerodrome, just west of Sydney.
The air force pilots would spend Saturday and Sunday training on small planes like the Chipmunk.
It was sheer delight when one invited me to accompany him on doing circuits and bumps, that is landings and take-offs.
The insight into their training was an eye-opener as they spend hours doing these mundane things to get their wings before they can fly the big planes or jets.
But what was on show here was their gentlemanly manner and willingness to support others who did not have a sponsor like the Australian government behind them.
At that time my one and only airborne experience had been on a commercial flight to Newcastle and back when around 13 years of age.
It was so extraordinary that my letter to my parents while away contained just about every exciting view of the coastline from Sydney to Newcastle and included notes about the bumps and air wobbles, which some call turbulence.
Going on from here it was great to take flying lessons and to feel the throb of the engines in my hands as I gripped the control stick when my student pilot friend allowed me to try my hand at flying.
Week after week we did that and in the end it was so great that even though my license to fly was unattainable my satisfaction in doing something that had been my blood for so long was indescribable.
The Air Force is a great institution for many who crave to be pilots and my experience led to an understanding of the excitement and thrills that many receive who defend the country during war time.
With heroes like Douglas Bader and the Dam Busters as guides to what they can achieve and of their bravery in some ways it is sad that my sexuality and ambitions did not give me the same experiences.
