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7/31/2019 WASP Newsletter ~ 04/01/47
1/18
7/31/2019 WASP Newsletter ~ 04/01/47
2/18
YOL.IU'
O r de r o f F i f j ne l la
Publisher
NO.2
CONTENTS
ARTICLE PAGE
R u th P e tr y
C la ra J o S te mb er
A c ti n g E d it o rs
T h es e o f fi c er s c o ~ po s e t h e E x ec u t iv e
C om mi tt ee . a nd a re a ls o m em be rs o f t he
A d vi s or y B o ar d .
Betty J. Williams
President
Irene r. CrumSecretary-Treasurer
" D od i e" I . A s p el l
Vice-President
H a ll y S t ir e s
Executive-Secretary
1947 National Officers 2
2600 Miles on Floats 4
Crash Ana lysis-Margaret Helburn 6
New G rummann 8
I U se d t o b e a n I ns tr uc to r N . B a ke r 1 0
Public RelationsP ut ti ng O ur B e st F oo t F or wa rd
G loria Heath 12
It's a Plane Fact- Whodunnit 12
Wasps in the News 12
W om en 's A vi at io n Co nv en ti on -T ex as 1 )
Women in Aviation as a Career 1)
WOQen's Air Speed Mark Set 14
Ninety-Niner Is Air Sho,,! 14
N at io na l A ir Ra ce s- Ma rg e H u rl bu rt 1 5
1943. 1944 Classes 16
C up id 's Lo g B oo k- Mr .S to rk 's a ls o 1 7
The WASP NEWSLETTER is. pub-
lished bi-monthly bY'the Order otFi fi ne ll a. 1 hi s or ga ni za ti on wa s
f or me d p ri or t o th e i na ct iv at io n o f
t he W om en 's A ir fo rc e S er vi ce P il ot
Pr~ramt Decembe r 20 t 1944. It is
l eg al ly i nc or po ra te d u nd er t he e or -
po ra te se al of Cal if or ni a. T hi s
publication is devoted primarilywi th t he a ct iv it ie s o f t he WA SPs
and other pertinent information
regarding "women in aviation".
F ai th F . B uc h ne r
Mickie Carmichael
B e tt y H a as
J u an i ta D . f f il r lb u tt
M ar y E . M cF ad de n
E l iz a b e th W a ts o n)Dorothy Avery )
Illinois
Texas
N ew Y or k
San Francisco
W as hi ng to n. D . C .
L o s A n ge l es
" "
E d it o ri a l O f fi c e
4 17 E . 9 th S tr ee t
Apt. 14New Y ork 3. N. Y .
National Ji~~dquart~
I3 6 3 3 L a v el l D r iv e
L os A ng el es 4 1. C al if .
7/31/2019 WASP Newsletter ~ 04/01/47
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2.
B e tt y J a ne W i ll i am s . P r es i de n t
B ,: ,t ty s ta rt ed i n a vi at io n i n 1 94 0 w Hh t he n on -c ol le ge C iv il ia n
P ~l ot T ra in in g P ro gr am a nd e a rn ed h er p r i va te p il ot 's l ic en se i n
J un e 1 94 1. c om pe ti ng w it h s om e f if ty f el lo ws . I n 19 42 s he ~ en t
w it h C o lo ni al A ir li ne s a s a st ew ar de ss . f ly in g b et we en N e~ Y o r k
a nd M on tr ea l. l og gi ng s om e 1 0 00 h ou rs a s s uc h i n D e3 s. T he n
C ol on ia l s en t h e r t o N or th ea st A ir li ne s P il ot T ra in in g S ch oo l a t
t he U n i ve rs it y o f Ve rm on t. u nd er c on tr ac t w it h t he A i r T ra ns po rt
C om ma nd t o b ec om e a Li nk T ra in er I ns tr uc to r. U po n c om pl et io n o f
t hi s c ou rs e. s he t au gh t A AF o ff ic er s a nd l 'l TSs tn de nt s f or o n e y ea r
a t t he C ol on ia l' s I ns tn lm en t T ra in in g S ch oo l a t Al ba ny . N ew Y o ~k .
S he h as s o me 3 00 0 h rn lr s a s L in k T ra in er I ns tr uc to r. S he e nt er ed
t he W AS Ps i n J an ua ry 1 94 4. U po n g ra du at io n s he w as s ta ti on ed a t
R an do lp h F ie ld w it h t h e E ng in ee ri ng D ep ar tm en t. S in ce A pr il . 1 94 6
s he h as b e en a f li gh t a nd L i nk I ns tr uc to r a t We st ch es te r C ou nt y
A ir po rt . W hi te P la in s, N ew Y or k o n a G . I . p r og ra m.
S he h as b e en a ff il ia te d w it h t he O rd er o f F i fi ne ll a s in ce i ts v e ry
b eg in ni ng ; h el pi ng t o s et u p t h e B y -l aw s a nd A r ti cl es o f I n co rp or a-
t io n, s et ti ng u p t h e Me mo ri al F un d. d es ig ni ng l et te rh ea ds . r in gs
a nd a ss is ti ng i n t he e n t ir e s et ti ng u p o f t he M e m or ia l F un d A rt ic le
B et ty w as a pp oi nt ed E di to r o f t he N e w sl et te r i n 19 45 a nd t he O c to be
i ss ue o f t ha t y e ar w as h er f ir st e di ti on . S he b as c o mp il ed a nd
e d i t ed a l l o f th e f o l l o w in g i s s ue s . .
I r en e I . C r u m . S e cr e ta r y- T re a su r er
I re ne s ta rt ed f ly in g o n t he f ir st d ay o f J un e. 1 93 5 a t H un ti ng to n.
W es t V ir gi ni a. I n Au gu st o r 1 93 6 s he e st ab li sh ed a Wo rl d' s A lt it ud e
R ec or d f or l i gh t p la ne s. o r p la ne s i n t he F o ur th C at eg or y. f ly in g a
C -2 A er on ca S co ut . S he i ns tr uc te d o n t he f ir st C iv il ia n P il ot T ra in -
i ng P r og ra m i n De s M o in es . I ow a t h e n r et ur ne d t o Hu nt in gt on . W es t V a .
t o c on ti nu e a s a f li gh t i ns tr uc to r a nd a ss is ta nt t o t he a i r po rt m an a-
g er . I n th e s p r in g o f 19 41 . r ec ei ve d a S ec on da ry I ns tn lc to r R ef re sh er
C ou rs e a t t he Cu rt is s- Wr ig ht A ir po rt . B al ti mo re , M ar yl an d. H av in g
c om pl et ed t hi s C rn lr se . s he w en t t o t he S te wa rt A ir po rt , P ar ke rs bu rg .
W es t V ir gi ni a. a s c hi ef p il ot a nd a ss is ta nt t o th e a i rp or t m an ag er .
W hi le t he re s he r ec ei ve d a s c ho la rs hi p t o t h e L in k F ac to ry . i n Bi ng -
h am to n. N ew Y o rk . W as o ne o f th e f ir st t hr ee g ir ls t o he g i ve n t he
L in k T ra in er I ns tr uc to r' s C ou rs e h er e i n th e U ni te d S ta te s. R et ur ne d
t o P ar ke rs bu rg , W es t V ir gi ni a t o s e t u p a T yp e " A " T r ai n in g C e nt e r
w he re t he y h ad e ve ry p ha se o f t r ai ni ng i nc lu di ng a n I n te r- Am er ic an
P ro gr am i n wh ic h t he y t ra in ed a n ~l Mb er o f b oy s f ro m a ll p ar ts o f S ou th
A me ri ca . A t t he c l os e o f t he C iv il ia n P il ot T ra in in g P ro gr am s he w en t
t o S we et wa te r. T ex as t o b ec om e a W AS P. H av in g c om pl et ed h er t r ai ni ng
t he re s he ~ s s en t t o P ec os A rm y A ir B as e, P ec os . T ex as . a s a tw in -
e ng in e t es t p il ot . r et ur ni ng t o Sw ee tw at er . f or t h e A dv an ce d I ns tr um en t
C ou rs e; t he n b a ck t o P ec os . t o s e rv e a s t e st p il ot a nd d o a dm in is tr a-
t i ve f l yi n g u n ti l d e ac t iv a ti o n.
,
A ft er f ou rt ee n s ho rt w ee ks a t Co ra l G ab le s. F lo ri da , w he re I re ne l ea rn - ie d t o sp ea k t he P or tu gu es e L an gu ag e. s he h ea de d S ou th o f th e B or de r t o '
s er ve t he B ra zil ia n G ov er nm en t f or a y ear a s A vi at io n T ec hn ic ia n. '
A rr iv ed b ac k i n Go d' s C ou nt ry l as t y ea r j us t i n ti me f or t he F i rs t ~ AS pi
R eu ni on !! ! W he n s he l ea rn ed o f h e r e le ct io n t o t he o ff ic e o f Na ti on al ;
S ec re ta ry -T re as ur er o f t he O rd er o f F if in el la s he c am e t o C al if or ni a '
t o a s si st i n p l an s f or 1 94 7.
7/31/2019 WASP Newsletter ~ 04/01/47
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N E I T E D I TO R I S A P P O I NT E D
M is s A nn e B er ry h as b e en a pp oi nt ed t he n e w E di ~o r o f
t he W A SP , N EW SL ET TE R. A nn e i s w el l q ua li fi ed f or t h is
p os i ti o n. h a vi n g h a d m uc h e x pe ri e nc e i n jo ur n al i st i c
f ie ld s a nd r ad io s cr ip t w ri ti ng . S o s en d a l l n ew s
f or t he f ol lo wi ng i ss ue s t o 4 17 E as t 9 th S tr ee t. N ew
York 3. N. Y .
A P PO I l nr . ;~ O F H I S TO R I AN
M is s A va H am m. t he f ir st P re si de nt o f t h e T e xa s C ha pt er .
h as b ee n a pp oi nt ed H is to ri an o f t h e O r de r o f F if in el la .
I t w i ll b e h er r es po ns ib il it y t o c o mp il e f or p ub li ca ti on
a nn ua ll y a re su me o f t he p ro gr es s a nd d e ve lo pm en t o f t he
organization.
3.
" D o d i l t " ._ ~ ~ u . . . . V i c e : . P re s i d e n t
" D od ie " s t ar t ed h er f l yi n g c a re er i n 19 3 7. i n M i nn e ap ol i s. M i nn e so t a.
S he g av e u p f ly in g ~ em po ra ri ly i n 19 39 . w he n s he m a rr ie d a Na vy P il ot .A ft er h e w as s en t o ve rs ea s i n Ja nu ar y 1 94 3. s he w e nt t o B ly th e. C al if .
t o o b ta in h er P ri va te L ic en se . S he j oi ne d t he 4 3- 1' 1- 8 c la ss o f t h e
~ as ps i n Ju ly 1 94 3. A ft er g ra du at io n s he w a s s t at io ne d a t Ch il dr es s
A A F. C hi l dr e ss . T ex a s. f ly i ng b om b in g m i ss i on s f o r B o mb ar d ie r C ad e ts .
D od ie a tt en de d t he C o ur se a t O rl an do i n Ju ly ' 44 a nd t he A dv an ce d
I ns tr um en t C ou rs e a t Sw ee tw at er i n O ct ob er . U po n r et ur ni ng t o C hi ld -
r es s. s he b e ca me A ss 't . I ns tr um en t O ff ic er a nd t es t P il ot .
A ft er t he W a sp s " er e d is ba nd ed D od ie j oi ne d h er h us ba nd i n Wa sh in gt on
D . C . I n Fe br ua ry ' 45 s he s ta rt ed f er ry in g D PC s hi ps i nt o A l ex an dr is
V ir gi ni a. I n J ul y s he w a s t ra ns fe rr ed t o D ov er . D el a~ ar e a s C hi ef
P il ot . u nt il t he D P C c o nt ra ct w as c an ce ll ed . I n M ar ch ' 46 s he b ec am e
M an ag er o f t he F li gh t S er vi ce S ec ti on . f or A Te a t W as hi ng to n N at io na l
Airport.
" Do di e" w as o n t he 1 st A d vi so ry B oa rd o f t he O r de r o f F if in el la . I n
J an u ar y 1 94 6 , s he w a s i n st r um en t al i n f o rm in g t he ' , ' (a s hi n gt o n. D . C .
C ha pt er a nd w a s e 13 ct ed P re si de nt a nd r e- el ec te d t o t ha t o ff ic e i n
1 94 7. " Do di e" r es ig ne d t hi s p os it io n w he n s he w as e le ct ed N at io na lV ic e- Pr es id en t. S in ce m ov in g t o C al if or ni a i n F eb nl or y 1 94 7 s h e ha s
b e en a ff i li a te d w i th t he L o s A n ge le s C h ap t er .
I . I ES S A GE F R O M N A T IO N A L O F F IC E R S
l '1 ew ou ld l ik e t o t a ke t hi s o pp or tu ni ty t o t h an k a ll o f y o u
f or e le ct in g u s t o s e rv e y ou t hi s y ea r a s y o ur N at io na l
O ff ic er s. W e a re p ri vi le ge d t o ha ve t hi s H on or . a nd i t is
w it h u t mo st s in ce ri ty t ha t w e s ha ll t ry t o f ul fi ll e ac h o f
o ur d ut ie s a nd t o u ph ol d t he a i ms a nd p ur po se s f or w h ic h w e
a re b o un d t o ge t he r.
I t i s i n de ed f or tu na te t ha t w e w er e a bl e t o g et t og et he r a t
N at io na l H ea dq ua rt er s a nd p l an f or t he c o mi ng y ea r. W it h a
n ew ly e le ct ed A dv is or y B oa rd w e h o pe t o be a bl e t o a cc om -
p li sh m an y o f o ur o bj ec ti ve s. B el ow a re a f ew o f t h e i n te nd -
e d p l a ns .
1 0 0 0 M E M B E R S H IP
W e h op e t o h av e a m em be rs hi p o f 1 00 0 b ef or e t he e nd o f t hi s
y ea r. T ho se o f yo u. w ho a re m em be rs t ak e i t u po n y ou rs el f
a s a "c o~ it te e o f on e" t o ge t a no th er e li gi bl e p er so n t o
j oi n. s o t h at o ur g oa l w il l b e, r ea ch ed b ef or e l on g.
" An y i nd iv id ua l m ay b e a n a ct iv e
m em be r o f t hi s o rg an iz at io n w ho
w as a m em be r o f t he W om en 's A ir -
f or ce S er vi ce P il ot p ro gr am a s a
g ra du at e p il ot . a n e li mi ne e o r i n
a n a d m in i st r a ti v e c a p ac i t y. "
T hr ou gh s tr en gt h i n me mb er sh ip w e c an b e b e tt er r ec og ni ze d b y
e s ta bl i sh e d g r ou p s a n d d e si r ab l e a s so c ia t es .
E ve ry m em be r w il l b e lo ng t o a ch ap te r. W e a r e i n t h e p ro ce ss
o f s e t ti n g u p s o me t h ir ty n ew c ha p te r s t h ro ' lg h ou t t h e U n it e d
S ta te s. I f y ou d o n ot l iv e c lo se e no ug h t o a c ha pt er h ea d-
q ua rt er s. t he n y ou w il l b e a n As so ci at e M em be r o f t h e m os t
c on ve ni en t c ha pt er a nd h av e a de fi ni te v oi ce i n al l f un ct io ns .
7/31/2019 WASP Newsletter ~ 04/01/47
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I f y ou 'v e n ev er t ri ed f ly in ~ w it h t ho se m et al d is h
p an s s tr un g u nd er ne at h ( so ld u nd er t he t ra de n am e o f Ed o
F lo at s) y ou 'r e t he o ne t h i s i s s ty le d f or .
I t' s t h e g r ea te st f ly in g s po rt i nv en te d. I t al -
m os t s up er se de s t he L - 5 f o r t he v ar ie ty o f t r ou bl e y ou
c an g et i n a nd o ut o f a li ve w hi le o pe ra ti ng f ro m a
cockpit.
W e l a n de d a t r e so rt s, y ac ht b as in s, s an dy b ar s,
N av y b as es ( we d o n' t r ec om me nd l) , a ir po rt s n ea r t he w a t -
e r, f is hi ng w ha rv es , s ma ll t o~ ns , b ig c it ie s, i n th e
m id dl e o f l a rg e B ay s a nd o n s m al l h ya ci nt h f il le d l ak es !
A lw ay s w e m et t he f ri en dl ie st p eo pl e i n th e w or ld . T hi s
w as o ui te a d i g i nt o o ur n ar ro w v ie ws - - w e a lw ay s t ho ug ht
o nl y p eo pl e i n a vi at io n W er e t op b ra ck et .
W e t o ok a n a n ch or p lu s l in e, b il ge p um p a nd c am er a
b ut n ot a fi sh in g t ac kl e. T ha t l as t w a s t he o nl y m is -
t ak e w e m a d e.
I s po ke o f t r ou bl e r g ot i nt o o ne e ve ni ng a f ew
m in ut es a ft er s un do wn ( th e t ai l w i nd h ad p et er ed o ut o r
s o m e t' l i n g c a u s i ng me t o be a 'm it e e rr on eo us o n t h e o le
E TA ) t he i nl an d w at er wa y b en ea th h ad a bl ac k s ur fa ce i n-
s te ad o f t he u su al s ur fa ce t ha t l oo ks l ik e w at er a nd i s
7/31/2019 WASP Newsletter ~ 04/01/47
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w at er . A ft er l an di ng a y ac ht sm an t ol d u s h e h ad d od ge d
d ri ft wo od a ll a lo ng t he s po t w e l an de d o n a nd h e c o ul dn 't
b el ie ve w e di dn 't h it a ny u p on l an di ng . W e f la sh ed a
" tr us ty E ve rr ea dT ' o nt o t he w at er a nd s aw a f ew l og s!
C an 't f ig ur e t ha t o ne o ut .
O ur c om pa ss w en t h ay wi re i n t he v i ci ni ty o f th e
C ap e F ea r R iv er , b el ow W il mi ng to n, N .C . b ot h c om in g a nd
g oi ng . C an 't f ig ur e t hi s o n e o ut , e i th er . B ut f ra nk ly
w e s us pe ct t he re 's a p ir at e s hi p s un k o ff t he c oa st w it h
e no ug h c op pe r i n i t t o d is tr ac t t he b es t o f c o mp as se s.
W e h ad a f o rc ed l an di ng -- i. e. t he r ai ns c am e- -r ig ht
o ve r M y rt le B ea ch , S .C . I fl ew o ff t o t he l ef t o ~ th e
o ce an t o l oo k f or t he I nl an d i n t hi s V ic in it y. V lh en I
f ou nd i t, m y C r ui se r' s w in gs h un g o ve r e ac h s id e. B ut
t he r ai n g re w h ea vi er a nd i t s ee me d s af es t t o g o d o Wn
a nd l an d a nd b e nd t he w in gs a l it tl e i f ne ce ss ar y. T he
l an di ng w as m ad e w it h c on si de ra bl e r oo m t o s pa re . I t
h ad o nl y b ee n a n o pt ic al i ll us io n.
F ro m N ew Y or k C it y t o Mi am i s ea pl an e f ac il it ie s a re
w he re y ou m ak e t he m s o g et o n t he s te p f ir st c ha n~ e y ou
g et . I t' s d ou bl e y ou r m on ey 's w or th !
W ho i s " we "? W hy M ik e; m e ma sc ot , 0 I c o u r s e .
.\
5.
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6.
E ve ry f at al a cc id en t h ur ts p op ul ar f ly in g; t he p ub li c
r e me m be rs i t , f o r ge t s s af e ty . s t at i st ic s , a n d f e a r o f i nj u ry
i s a na tu ra l r ea ct io n. I n a r ec en t q ue st io nn ai re f or ty -
t hr ee p er ce nt o f t he p eo pl e w ho h ad n ev er r id de n i n a n a ir -
p la ne s ai d i t w as b ec au se t he y w er e a fr ai dl
I n f ly in g t he f ir st a pp ro ac h t o s af et y a lw ay s h as b ee n
t he a tt em pt t o p re ve nt a cc id en ts , a nd g re at e ff or ts a re b ei ng
m ad e i n th is d ir ec ti on . I mp ro ve d s ta bi li ty , l ow er s ta ll in g
s p ee ds , s i mp le r c on t ro ls , p re v en ti o n. of f ir e a n d s t r uc tu r al
f ai lu re i n th e a i r, h av e b ro ug ht g re at er s af et y i n f li gh t. '
B ut a ny s hi p t ha t f li es c an b e f l ow n i nt o t ro ub le b y a c a re -
l e ss o r r e c kl e ss p il o t.
G RO W' D I O F A VI AT I ON D EP E ND S U f QN T HE f Q FV LA R IT Y O F F L Y -
I NG , A N D T HA T P OP UL AR IT Y W IL L N OT I NC RE AS E A S L O NG A S T H E
F EA R O F P ER SO NA L I NJ UR Y I S P R ES EN T. E VE N T Il E M OS T E XT RA VA -
G AN T P I LO T S M US T B E P R O TE X :T E D F R OM H UR T IN G T HE M SE LV E S.
P RE V EN TI O N O F I NJ U RY I S T HE F UN D AM EN T AL C ON C EP T O F SA F ET Y.
I n al l b ut t he m os t h op el es sl y e xt re me a cc id en ts , i m-
p ro v em e nt s i n c ab i n s tr u ct ur e s a n d i n st a ll a ti on s c an m o de r -
a te k no wn c au se s o f i nj ur y, a nd s ur vi va l c an b ec om e t he e x-
p ec te d r es ul t i ns te ad o f t he e xc ep ti on i n a f a r g re at er
p ro po rt io n o f ac ci de nt s. L et 's t ak e a l o ok a t wh at i s s up -
p l ie d i n p e rs o na l p la n es .
T he o n l y s p e ci f ic i ns ta l la t io n f or p r ot e ct i on u s ua l ly
i s t he s af et y b el t, d es ig ne d t o t a ke a l o ad o f 2 00 0 p ou nd s
i n mo st n ew s hi ps . S af et y b el ts f ai l a lt og et he r t oo o ft en ,
a nd t he re i s p re ss ur e t o g e t t he C AA t o r a is e t he m in im um
t o 30 00 p ou nd s. E ve n s tr on ge r b el ts a re d e si ra bl e s in ce
d e te r io ra t io n o r i ns t al la t io n a t o th e r t ha n t h e o p t im um
a ng le a t t h e h i ps ( 45 d e gr ee s) m ay h al ve t he b el t' s v al ue .
S in ce l es s t h an o ne h al f o f o ne p er ce nt o f c r as h v ic ti ms
s us ta in a ny f or m o f i nj ur y f ro m t h e s af et y b el t, w e a r e n o t
y et a pp ro ac hi ng t he p oi nt o f d an ge r f ro m t h e b el t i ts el f.
A nd " na il in g d ow n" t he p il ot i s ve ry e ff ec ti ve . W he n b el ts
f ai l, o cc up an ts a re e xp os ed t o e x ce ss iv e d an ge rs f ro m
f o r wa r d s t ru c t ur e .
A s f a r a s i nj ur y i s c on ce rn ed , n on -u se o f s af et y b el ts
c on st it ut es f ai lu re . D o yo u w ea r y ou r b el t? D o yo u ke ep
i t s nu g? T wo i nc he s o f g i ve m ay c ha ng e t he j ol t l o ad in gs .
I f y ou o wn a p la ne , h av e y ou e ve r c he ck ed t he a nc ho ra ge
f it t in g s o r we b bi n g f or s t ra in , f r ay , o r d et e ri or a ti o n?
H av e y ou e ve r t ho ug ht o f r e pl ac in g a b e lt , o r s u gg es ti ng
t o a n o p er at or t ha t h e r ep la ce a b e lt ?
S ho ul de r h ar ne ss w as p ro vi de d i n t he A rm y s hi ps y ou
f le w, a nd q ui te a n um be r o f y ou a re a wa re o f i t s a c ti on
i n r es tr ai ni ng y ou r h ea d, w hi ch i s t h e m os t v ul ne ra bl e p ar t
o f th e b o dy . S om e p re ss ur e i s b ei ng b ro ug ht t o ha ve h ar ne ss
m ad e a va il ab le i n l ig ht p la ne s, b ut t he re i s s om e d ou bt
a bo ut w he th er i t w ou ld b e us ed . A rm y- Na vy a cc id en t r ep or ts
w ou ld c on vi nc e y ou r ap id ly . W he re i t' s w or n, a rm s o r le gs
m ay b e b ro ke n o r c ut , b ut n o d an ge ro us i nj ur ie s a re s us -
t ai ne d. W it ho ut i t t he b od y s l am s f or wa rd , h ea ds a re
c ru sh ed a ga in st t he i ns tr um en t p an el o r o th er f or wa rd
s tr uc tu re , c he st s m ay b e c ru sh ed s im il ar ly , a nd a rm s a re
o ft en b ad ly s ma sh ed . C ha nc es o f su rv iv al a re c ut a bo ut
n in et y- fi ve p er ce nt . W he n i n d ou bt u se h ar ne ss i f yo u h av e
i t. I f yo u h av en 't g ot i t , a gi ta te t o el im in at e t he d ou bt .
T he re 's a n o l d s ay in g t ha t i t d oe sn 't m ak e a ny d if fe r-
e nc e h ow f as t y ou g o, i t' s h ow f as t y ou s to p t ha t c ou nt s.
T hi s i s e s pe ci al ly t ru e o f f l yi ng an d c ra sh in g. W he n
t he t or so i s no t h el d b ac k i n a c ra sh t he h ea d p lu ng es f or -
w ar d t il l i t h it s s om et hi ng - c on tr ol w he el , i ns tr um en t
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p an el , o r wh at h av e y o u. W he th er i t st op s d ea d a ga in st a
r ig id t ub e o r d en ts a l ig ht s he et m et al p an el d et er mi ne s
w he th er y ou 'l l g et a s e ve re ly l oc al iz ed f ra ct ur e, w it h c ri t-
i ca l c on cu ss io n, o r m er el y l ac er at io ns , of th e f ac e w it h a
h ea da ch e f or a n ho ur o r tw o. S wi tc he s a nd k no bs o ff er d an -
7.
S tr on g c ab in s tr uc tu re a nd s tr on g e ng in e m ou nt s c an p ro -
v id e a g oo d e nv ir on me nt f or t he p il ot . W hi le t he s tr uc tu re
h ol ds t og et he r a ro un d t he p il ot , h e c an s ur vi ve a lm os t a ny
c ra sh , u nl es s i nj ur ed b y sp ec if ic o bj ec ts . F or t he f o rc es o f
a c ra sh a re n ot s uf fi ci en t t o d am ag e s er io us ly t he h um an f ra me
o r p h y s i o l og y .
T he se a re s om e o f t he t hi ng s w hi ch a re " in w o rk " f or f u, t-
u re a ir cr af t d es ig n. W he n t he y a re " i n c on st ru ct io n" a n am az -
i ng d e gr ee o f pr ot ec ti on f or o cc up an ts w il l b e s ee n. B ut i n
r e la t in g p e rs o na l f l yi n g t o a ir l in e f l yi n g, i t i s i nt e re s ti n g
t o n ot e t ha t a ct ua ll y t he i nd iv id ua l h as m uc h m or e s tr en gt h
a ro un d h im i n t he l it tl e s hi p, i s p ro ba bl y g oi ng t o c r as h a t
l ow er s pe ed , a nd t h er ef or e h as m uc h l es s e xp os ur e t o i n ju ry .
T he e xp er ie nc e o f s t un t p il ot s c an b e u se d b y t he r es t
o f u e t o p ro te ct o ur se lv es a s f a r a s p o ss ib le i n a c ra sh .
g er ou s l oc al iz at io n o f f or ce . P ad di ng c an p r ov id e a ce rt ai n N u mb e r o ne i n i m po r ta n ce i s "m a in t ai n in g c on t ro l ." Keep
a mo un t o f p ro te ct io n b y g re at er d is tr ib ut io n o f f or ce a nd
i nc re as ed d is ta nc e o f d ec el er at io n. B ut t he r ea l a n sw er
l ie s i n k ee pi ng a ll s tr uc tu re w it hi n r an ge o f t he h e ad c ap -
a bl e o f yi el di ng u nd er h ea vy b lo ws . L oo k f or p iv ot ed s ea t
b ac ks , s mo ot h p an el s o f l ig ht m et al w it ho ut h id de n b ra ce s
o r s ha rp -e dg ed c ow li ng , h ea vy i ns tr um en ts m ou nt ed t o th e s i de .
R ea rw ar d s ea ti ng i s a c om mo n- se ns e a ns we r t o t he e xc es -
s iv e h a za rd s c au se d b y c ol la ps e o f f or wa rd s ec ti on s i n s ev er e
c ra sh es . T ra in er s s ol oe d f ro m t he r ea r s ea t h a ve a th re e-
f oo t m ar gi n o f s af et y o ve r f ro nt s ea t s ol oe s w hi ch m ay m ea n
a 3 00 p er ce nt i nc re as e o f p i lo t p ro te ct io n i n a cr as h.
V is ib il it y f ro m t h e r ea r s ea t i s g oo d e no ug h i n mo st p la ne s
t o d i s ca r d t hi s a s a s i g ni fi c an t c o ns i de r at i on .
W he re t he re a re c on tr ol w he el s t he y c an p ro vi de a ha r-
n es s e ff ec t i n k ee pi ng t he p il ot 's t or so a wa y f ro m f or wa rd
s tr uc tu re . B ro ad a re a, s ha pi ng t he r im t o co nf or m t o t he
c he st , a nd l ar ge d ep re ss ed h ub s o ve r t he e nt i o f t h e c on tr ol
c ol um n, a re a ll c on ce ss io ns t o t he s af et y t hi s s tr uc tu re c an
p ro vi de . F ra il w he el s m ay b re ak a nd t h e c ol um ns s pe ar t he
p il o t, i n h e av y c r as h es .
u p f ly in g s pe ed a nd , c on tr ol y ou r d ir ec ti on a nd a tt it ud e a s
l on g a s p os si bl e. I Vh en t he c ra sh i s i mm ed ia te , l os e s pe ed
i f y ou c an , w i th ou t l os in g c on tr ol , - ot he rw is e k ee p t he
s pe ed u p. C he ck y ou r s wi tc he s o ff , i f y ou h a ve n' t a lr ea dy
d on e i t. G o be tw ee n t re es o r p os ts , o r i nt o b ru sh t o
b re ak y ou r s pe ed b y b re ak in g u p s t ru ct ur e, o r c o me i n de -
l ib er at el y w it h o ne w in g d ow n i n o rd er t o d i se ip at e e ne rg y
c ar tw he el in g. J us t b ef or e i m pa ct p ro te ct y ou r he ad . B es t
w ay i s t o h ol d i t f ir ml y a ga in st t he a rm s a nd h av e t he a rm s
r es ti ng o n s t ru ct ur e - p an el o r s ea t b ac k - s o t h at t he re
c an b e n o s la mm in g a ct io n.
P er ha ps a ll t hi s d we ll in g o n cr as he s m ay s ee m g ri m t o
y ou . L et m e a dd t wo t hi ng s. A ft er a ye ar o f a na ly zi ng
c ra sh es , I 'm s ti ll f ly in g - wh en ev er I g et a ch an ce - an d:
N o i n ju ry w ha ts oe ve r o cc ur re d i n s ev en ty -s ev en P er ce nt o f
t he 4 ,5 62 a cc id en ts o cc ur in g i n 19 45 . M in or i nj ur y ( le ss
t ha n f ra ct ur es ) a bs or be d a no th er 1 0 p er c en tl
R E M EM B E R, J U D GM E NT , T E X :H N I C, C A R EL E S SN E S S A C C OU N T ED
F OR 3 ,3 43 O R S I XT Y O NE P ER C EN T O F T H E A C CI DE NT S R EC OR DE D
B Y C. A. B. I N 1 94 5. S AF ET Y I S MO ST LY U P T O U S A S F L YE RS .
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8.
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9.
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10.
I d is ti nc tl y r em em be r t ha t l az y d a y i n S ep te mb er o n
w hi ch I re ac he d m y d ec is io n a nd a nn ou nc ed i t. A ct ua ll y,
I t hi nk I h ad r ea ch ed i t s om e t im e b ef or e t ha t b ut i t wa s
a l it tl e h ar d f or e ve n m e t o b el ie ve ; t hi s d ay I w as s ur e.
I wa s s it ti ng o n a c on cr et e b lo ck ( on e o f t he h un dr ed w e
h ad b o u gh t s ev er al m on th s b ef or e w it h w hi ch t o ma ke a t er -
r ac e w h en w e h ad t im e; o f c ou rs e h e h ad h ad p le nt y o f
s pa re m in ut es , e Ve n h ou rs t o w or k o n i t s in ce t he n, b ut w e
n ev er " go t a ro un d t o i t " - y ou k no w h ow i t i s a t a n a ir -
p or t) . A ft er l ig ht ly r ev ie wi ng i n m y m in d t he t h in gs t ha t
b ro ug ht a bo ut m y d e ci si on a nd r ec al li ng m y f ly in g c ar ee r
f ro m b eg in ni ng t o d a te I j u st ' up a nd s ai d, " He y b os s - -
I 'l l b e l ea vi ng i n a co up le o f we ek s. " I t wa s a s e as y a s
t ha t; I wa s s ur pr is ed - n o i nn er p an gs o f a l as t f ar ew el l,
n o n ot hi ng , e xc ep t a f ee li ng t ha t a c ou pl e o f h un dr ed
w ei gh ts h ad b e en r em ov ed . T hi s I i mm ed ia te ly t oo k a s a
s ig n t ha t m y d ec is io n h ad b ee n a c or re ct o ne . I d on 't
m ea n t o i nf er t ha t I h ad c om e t o f ee l l ik e a n o ld i ns tr uc -
t or b u rd en ed w it h a tr em en do us r es po ns ib il it y. I t w as m o re
l ik e t h e f e el in g o ne h as a ft er g ra du at io n f ro m s ch oo l, o r
e ve n S w ee tw at er ( re me mb er ?) - a s t ho ug h o ne p ha se o f l i fe
i s b eh in d o r h as b ee n c om pl et ed .
T he e ig ht ee n m on th s t ha t I s pe nt a s a n i ns tr uc to r a re
c er ta in ly n ot r e gr et ta bl e. I do n' t s up po se t ha t m an y o f
y ou w h o a re , o r we re , i ns tr uc ti ng w il l f or ge t t he t hr il l
o f s o lo in g y ou r f ir st s tu de nt . I r em em be r t ha t I go t o ut
o f t he s hi p i n th e m id dl e o f t he f ie ld w he n " I le t h i m g o"
w it h a b ig b ro ad s mi le o n m y f ac e t ha t c ou ld n' t m at ch t ha t
o f th e s tu de nt a s he t ax ii ed o ut t o t ak e o ff . W it h e ac ho f h i s t h re e n ic e l an di ng s m y g r in b ec am e a l i tt le b ro ad er
u nt il I h on es tl y t ho ug ht m y f a c e w o ul d s pl it ; a nd I wa s
j us t a s p ro ud a s h e w as w he n w e w a lk ed b ac k i nt o t he f li gh t
o ff ic e a mo ng a ll t h e o th er p il ot s w ho h ad b ee n s ta nd in g o n
t he f en ce w at ch in g, a s t h ey a lw ay s w at ch a f ir st s ol o.
T hi s s ol o h ad a l it tl e e xt ra a tt ra ct io n, t ho ug h, a s i t wa s
t he i ns tr uc to r' s f ir st s ol o s tu de nt ( an d a w o ma n i ns tr uc -
t or a t t h at , s om et hi ng n ov el a t o ur f ie ld a t t h e t i me ).
A ll o f t he f ir st s ol os d id n' t g o o ff q ui te a s s m oo th ly a s
t ha t, n at ur al ly , w it h w in ds hi ft s, a tr an si en t a ir pl an e i n
t he p at te rn a nd s uc h o c c as io na ll y h ap pe ni ng a t th at u nd e-
s ir ab le m gm en t, b ut a ll o f t he m a re a mu si ng t o l oo k b ac k
o n, e ve n t ho ug h a t t he t im e t he y m ay h av e b ee n i ns tr um en t-
a l i n f o rm in g a f e w h ar sh t ho ug ht s, a nd s om et im es w or ds ,
d ir ec te d a t t he s tu de nt a s we ll a s t h e f o rc es o f n at ur e.
I f I h ad a ny i ll us io ns , w he n I d ec id ed t o be co me a n i n-
s tr uc to r, t ha t i ns tr uc ti ng w ou ld p ro vi de m e w it h t he s am e
t yp e o f p le as ur e t ha t f er ry in g a br an d n ew P T- 19 o r a s hi ny
P -4 7 d id , t h e se i ll us io ns w er e t ho ro ug hl y s ha tt er ed w he n I
t oo k a n i ns tr uc to r' s r ef re sh er c ou rs e. T he l a zy h o u rs I h ad
s pe nt w it h m y f e et o n t op o f t h e r ud de r b ar s o f a P T- 19 o r
s it ti ng o n my h an ds t o k ee p t he m w a rm w hi le m an ip ul at in g t he
s ti ck b et we en m y k ne es m ad e i t p ai nf ul ly h ar d f or m e t o g et
b ac k i n t he s wi ng o f p yl on e ig ht s a nd o th er p re ci si on m an -
e uv er s. T he f ir st o ne s I t r ie d w er e s o ho rr ib le t ha t I w as
e ve n, as ha me d t o r id e w i th a c h ec k p il ot ( ma yb e s om e o f y o uk no w w ha t I me an ). I di d, h ow ev er , r ec ei ve a r ea l s at is -
f ac ti on o ut o f i ns tr uc ti ng , a lt ho ug h i t w as e nt ir el y d if f-
e re nt f ro m t he s he er e nj oy me nt o f " st ee ri ng " a p l an e o ve r,
u nd er , a nd o c c as io na ll y t hr ou gh p uf fy w hi te c lo ud s o n a
b ea ut if ul d ay . I do n' t t hi nk I wi ll e ve r c ea se t o ge t a
r ea l p le as ur e o ut o f s ol oi ng a s t ud en t, i t i s a p l ea su re
t ha t s pr in gs m os tl y f ro m p ri de a s I s ee t he r es ul ts o f my
e ff or ts ( wh ic h I ma y h a v e t ho ug ht f ro m t im e t o t im e a l it tl e
h op el es s) a nd a ls o f ro m k no wi ng t ha t s om e d ay h e wi ll b e
a bl e t o s i t u p t he re a nd e nj oy t he p ur e b ea ut v a nd f re ed om
of f ly in g t ha t I h av e e n jo ye d ( wi th ou t t he f r~ ue nt " ha rp -
i ng s" f ro m t he f ro nt s ea t w h ic h m y s tu de nt s t el l m e a r e a ud -
i bl e l on g a ft er I g et o ut o f t h e p la ne ).
O pe ra ti on s b eg an a t o ur f ie ld a t 8 : )0 a .m . a nd i n th e
s um me r a ft er a b us y d ay o f f l yi ng w e m an ag ed t o s qu ee ze a ll
o f t he s hi ps i nt o h a ng ar ( an d t ha t w as q ui te a t as k) b y 1 0
p .m . I h ad a r oom ne ar t he ai rp or t, as it w as to o fa r f orm e t o c o mm ut e, s o m y a ft er -h ou rs c om pa ni on s w er e t he s am e l o -
c al p il ot s a nd a n o cc as io na l v is it or w it h w ho m I h ad w o rk ed
a ll d ay . W e wo ul d a ll t ak e o ff f or J o e' s B ar a nd G ri ll , t he
o nl y p la ce w he re w e c ou ld g et a me al a t t ha t l at e h ou r, a nd
r ea ll y a l ot m or e r es pe ct ab le t ha n i t s ou nd s. O ur c on ve rs a-
t io n n a tu ra ll y w ou ld c en te r a ro un d f ly in g m ac hi ne s a nd w e
w ou ld e ag er ly e ng ag e i n th os e f am ou s h an d s ig na ls s im ul at in g
w ha t w e d i d w i th o ur a ir pl an es i n s uc h a nd s uc h a n i n st an ce .
O cc as io na ll y w e wo ul d m ar k u p th e t a bl ec lo th d es cr ib in g j us t
w he re w e w er e a nd w h e re t he o th er s hi p w as i n s o me p ar ti cu -
l ar i ns ta nc e j us t a s a l l h e al th y p il ot s d o. I f no s tu de nt s
w er e w it h u s we m ig ht e ve n g iv e t he m a g oo d h as hi ng o ve r.
( Ye s, t ho se w er e e nj oy ab le s es si on s, a lr ea dy t he s ub je ct o f
s om e f on d re mi n is ci ng .)
O n w in te r d ay s w he n t hi ng s w er e s lo we d u p a b it w it h
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s no w o r wi nd I 'd f in d m y se lf " sh oo ti ng t he b u ll " a nd h an ga r
f ly in g w it h " th e b o ys ." S tu de nt s a nd o t he r l oc al p il ot s
w ou ld d ro p i n, m os t o f t he m n ot e xp ec ti ng t o f ly , j us t w an t-
i ng t o s ee w h at w as g oi ng o n a n d t o p u t i n t he ir t wo -c en ts -
w or th o n t h e l a te st a ir pl an e a cc id en t, t wo -c on tr ol a ir pl an e,
o r s o me n ew a vi at io n t he or y t he y r ea d a bo ut . W e w ou ld a ll
h ud dl e a ro un d t he s to ve t o ke ep w ar m, s om eo ne w ou ld g o o ut
a nd b ri ng s om e c of fe e b ac k t o t he r es t o f u s a n d t h e h an ga r
f ly in g w ou ld g o o n. I n th e w in te r w it h t he d ay s s o s ho rt
w e m igh t l ea ve e arl y a nd ev en b e a bl e t o s ee a mo vi e of a l l
t hi ng s. T he n t he re w ou ld p ro ba bl y f ol lo w a bi te t o ~ at a ndp er ha ps a be er o r s o ov er s om e m or e h an ga r f ly in g. O cc as io n-
a ll y I w ou ld l ea ve t he " ai rp or t g an g" a nd s pe nd a p ea ce fu l
e ve ni ng r ea di ng , o r h a ve d in ne r a nd t ak e i n a s h ow w it h o ne
o f m y s tu de nt s, b ut o n t h e w ho le I h a d c om e t o p as si ve ly
a cc ep t a nd e nj oy t hi s a ir po rt l if e. W e h ad a s we ll " ai r-
p or t g an g" a nd i f I s p en t t oo m an y o f t ho se p ea ce fu l e ve n-
i ng s a wa y f ro m t he m I g o t t o f e el in g t ha t I wa s m is si ng
s om et hi ng , t ho ug h I s h ou ld h av e k n ow n a ft er a w hi le I wa s
o nl y m i ss in g a re as on ab le f ac si mi le o f e v er y e ve ni ng f or
t he p as t f ew m on th s.
A ft er m on t~ s o f s e ve n- da y a we ek f ly in g I de ci de d t ha t
I s ho ul d t ak e a d a y o ff a w ee k - I d o n' t k no w t ha t p ro mp te d
m e t o do t hi s b ec au se I r ea ll y e nj oy ed i t a ll , b ot h t ho se
f as t a nd f ur io us d ay s o f t ry in g t o ma ke t he f ly in g h ou rs
e qu al t he ~ ay li gh t h ou rs ( to h e ll w it h l un ch ) a nd t h e d a y s
o f b or de rl ln e w ea th er w he n h an ga r f ly in g a nd o th er n on se n-
s ic al c on ve rs at io n w as i nt er ru pt ed e ve ry t hr ee m in ut es b y
s om eo ne g oi ng o ut si de t o s q ui nt a t th e w ea th er ( wh ic h w asj us t t he s am e a s i t h a d b ee n t hr ee m in ut es b ef or e) a nd r e-
t ur ni ng m ut te ri ng s om et hi ng l ik e " l if ti ng a l it tl e i n th e
s ou th ." T he f ac t i s th at o n mo st o f th es e d ay s o ff I w as
a l it tl e l os t a nd g la d t o g et b ac k t o t he f ie ld t he n ex t
a .m . I ha d u s ed w ha t i nf lu en ce I h ad i n pu tt in g e ve ry on e
a t t he f ie ld o n a s i x- da y w ee k, b ut m os t o f t he m s ho we d u p
o n t he ir d ay o ff - t he y w ou ld n' t w or k, b ut t he y s ho we d u p
s om eh ow . I f I h ad n' t c om e h om e o n my d ay s o ff I wo ul d
p ro ba bl y h av e d on e t he s am e t hi ng . A ft er n ot t oo m an y o f
t he se d ay s o ff i t b ec am e a pp ar en t t o m e h ow m u ch f ly in g
w as d om in at in g m y l i fe . I n t he p re se nc e o f n o rm al p eo pl e
( th os e n ot p il ot s b y p r of es si on ) I wa s a lm os t a t a l o ss t o
c ar ry o n a n i nt el li gi bl e c on ve rs at io n, u nl es s i t r ev ol ve d
a ro un d t hi ng s l ik e ~ ig h b r o ke n s tr at us I p rop ~tc h an d
s uc h, i n wh ic h c as e I c o ul d g o o n a t g ~e at l en gt h' b ut
~ he n t he c on ve rs at io n c ou ld h ar dl y b e c o ns id er ed i nt el li g-
l bl e t o t he o th er p ar ty . M y b r id ge b ec am e u nm en ti on ab le
I h a rd ly k ne w t he re w as a s h or ta ge o f n yl on s a nd i t wa s f ar
b et te r t ha t I ke ep m y m ou th c lo se d t ha n a tt em pt t o c o nv er se
o n t he l at es t i n t he at er o r l it er at ur e. M y e f fo rt s t o k ee p
u p t o d at e o n m y r ea di ng w er e s in ce re b ut q ui te i n va in .
~ e r ea li z~ ti on ~ it m e q ui te s ud de nl y t ha t I wa s b ec om in g a n
a lr po rt " hl Ck " o r " bu m, " i f th er e' s s uc h a t hi ng ( an d I ' m
q ui te s ur e. t he re w er e a f e w m on th s b ef or e I s t op pe d) . W hy
I h ad n ot ~l ng o n t he r em ot es t f am il y o n t he r em ot es t h il l
o f Ke nt uc ky o r T e nn es se e - -t he y c ou ld u nd ou bt ed ly c on ve rs e
w el l o n o ne s ub je ct a nd s o c ou ld I . I wa s b ec om in g r em ov ed
11.
f ro m a nd i gn or an t o f a i mo st e ve ry th in g t ha t w a s g oi ng o n u n-
l es s i t ha d s om et hi ng t o d o w it h p la ne s ( or i nc om e t ax - I
s ti ll h ad t ha t i n c om mo n w it h t he r es t o f t he p eo pl e) . W hy
I mi gh t e as il y b ec om e " pe cu li ar " o r a t l ea st b e c on si de re d
s o wh en i n a ny s oc ia l c ir cl e e xc ep t t ha t o f p il ot s, i f I
k ep t u p t hi s l if e m uc h l on ge r. O n m y d a ys o ff I wa s b eg in -
n in g t o m ee t s om e v er y n ic e p eo pl e w ho d id n' t k no w a t hi ng
a bo ut a vi at io n a nd t he n I t ri ed r ea l h ar d I c o ul d r em em be r
q ui te a f e w n ic e n on p il ot s I h ad k no wn a l o ng t im e a ge b e-
f or e I s t ar te d t o f ly ). I wa s e ve n g ro wi ng t o e n jo y a d ay
i n N ew Y or k C it y s ee in g a s h ow o r s h op pi ng a nd n ot ic in g
t ha t m o s t w om en w er e w ea ri ng d re ss es , n ot s la ck s. I b ec am e
a l i tt le e nv io us o f t he m - I h ad b ee n p ra ct ic al ly l iv in g
i n sl ac ks f or t h e p as t y ea r a nd a ha lf . T he n I be ga n t o
m is s m y d ay s a wa y f ro m t he a ir po rt a ft er I g o t b ac k i nt o
t h e w ee k 's f l yi n g r o ut i ne .
" Pe rh ap s" I t ho ug ht , " it i s ti me f or a c h an ge " a nd
f ro m t hi s s ta ge i n my t hi nk in g i t t oo k m e v er y l it tl e t im e
t o d ec id e t ha t i t wa s. M y i nt er es ts h ad a lw ay s a nd s ti ll d o
e nc om pa ss f ar m or e t ha n t he f ie ld o f a v ia ti on , a nd y et I
h ad a lm os t a ll ow ed t hi s o ne i nt er es t t o mo no po li ze a ll o f
m y t i me .
B ei ng d ra ma ti c w it h m ys el f I d ec id ed t ha t t he f la me
t ha t h ad o bs cu re d a ll o f my o th er i nt er es ts w as o ut , c on -
c ed in g, h ow ev er , t ha t a ve ry d ef in it e s pa rk w as l ef t. I t
h ad a ll b ee n l oa ds o f f u n, s om e w o nd er fu l p eo pl e a nd f in e
t im es , b ut i n t he u na du lt er at ed f or m ( si x o r s ev en d ay s a
w ee k~ t ha t I h ad b ee n f ly in g, I h ad j us t p la in h ad e no ug h.
~ ma ke t he e nd in g a l it tl e m or e d ra ma ti c i t wa s j us t
t wo d ay s a ft er " be in g b ac k o n t h e j ob " f ro m t he V lA SP co n-
en ti on t ha t I m a de t ha t f am ou s l O- wo rd s pe ec h. T ha t b ri ef
e xp os ur e t o f er ry in g m y f i rs t r ea l l ov e i n f ly in g ( as i t
i s e ve ry l az y p il ot 's l ov e, I g u es s) a nd t hr ee d ay s o f l ol -
l in g i n th e s un o n Mi am i B ea ch ( fo r w hi ch I h ad t o s pe nd
t wo d a ys r ec up er at in g) j us t a dd ed t he f i n is hi ng t ou ch t o
m y g r ow in g c on vi ct io n t ha t . it w as t im e f or a c h an ge . I
k ne w a s s oo n a s I 'd b ee n b ac k a f e w h ou rs t ha t I j us t
c ou ld n' t a dj us t m ys el f t o i t a ga in . I be ga n t o s hu dd er a t
t he t ho ug ht o f s p en di ng t he d ay s ay in g, " Ge t t h at s ti ck
b ac k, " " ta ke y ou r f ee t o ff t he r ud de r, " a nd s o on . A ls o,
t he v er y s ad t h ou gh t c am e t o m e t ha t i f I d i d n ot s to p. s oo n
o ne o f my s ti ll f av or it e p as t t im es - f l yi ng - m ig ht l ea ve a
b ad t as te i n m y m o ut h f ro m o ve rd os ag e.
I s ta ye d a wa y f ro m t he f ie ld f or a bo ut a m on th a ft er
I f in al ly l ef t a nd t he n o ne S un da y I we nt o ve r t o p ay av is it a nd f ly o ne o f m y s tu de nt s f or s om e f in al d ua l a nd a
r ec om me nd at io n r id e. I r ea ll y g ot a th ri ll w he n n o o ne
r ec og ni z~ d m e i n a dr es s a nd a f ur -t ri mm ed c oa t. I l au gh ed
t o my se lf a nd s ai d t h a~ I s h ou ld 'v e l ef t l on g b ef or e I d i d
i f t he o nl y i de nt it y I d h ad a ro un d t he re w as a b lo nd g ir l
i n s l ac ks . T he f ew h ou rs o f f l yi ng I d id t ha t d ay r ea ss ur ed
m e t ha t. I h ad n ot g iv en u p f ly in g, I 'd j us t g iv en u p l iv in g
a t a n a i r po r t a n d l i vi n g a i rp l an e s.
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13/18
12 .
P U B LI C R E L AT I O NS
T he n ee d f o r a p ub li c r e la ti o ns d ep a rt me n t
h as b ee n e vi de nt f or s om e t im e. W a~ l et te rs
h av e b ee n r e c ei ve d r eq u es t in g i n fo rm a ti on
a bo u t t h e gi r ls , t he i r a c ti v it ie s a n d v e nt u re s.
B ec au se y ou a re s uc h a n a gg re ss iv e g ro up i n
t h e c o m me rc ia l f ie ld o f a vi a ti on , t he g e n er a l
p ub l ic i s d ef in i te ly i n te re s te d .
W e ha ve a pp oi nt ed G lo ri a H ea th a s C ha ir ma n o f
t hi s d ep ar tm en t a nd . e k n ow y ou . il l c oo pe ra te
.i th h er . B ei ng a n a ct iv e m em be r o f t he O rd er
o f F if in el la , a nd s ho wi ng i nt er es t a s a W AS P
w il l c on tr ib ut e t o t h e s uc ce ss o f t hi s d ep ar t-
m en t . K ee p y ou r P U B LI C R EL A TI O NS d e pa r tm en t
w el l i n fo rm ed . W ri te G lo ri a H ea th , 4 05 P a rk
A ve ., N ew Y or k, N . I .
P U TT IN G O U R B E S T F O OT F O RW AR D
I n o rd er t o ha nd le a dv an ta ge ou sl y a ll r eq ue st s f or
i nf or ma ti on o n W AS P a ct iv it ie s a s w e ll a s d ev el op p ro mo -
t io na l m at er ia l, O OF P re si de nt B et ty W il li am s h as r e-
q ue st ed t ha t a Pu bl ic R el at io ns d ep ar tm en t b e fo rm ed a nd
h a s a pp o in te d m e C h a ir m an .
W it h t he c om bi ne d e ff or ts o f W AS Ps a lr ea dy w or ki ng
i n a vi at io n p ub li ci ty a nd r el at ed f ie ld s, I f ee l t ha t af i rs t c la s s P ub l ic R e la ti o ns p ro g ra m c ou l d b e in i ti a te d
w hi ch i n o n e y e ar 's t im e w ou ld a cc om pl is h t he f ol lo wi ng a
1. E st a bl is h c on t ac ts . it h t he a v i at i on p u bl i ca -
t io ns w e w ou ld l ik e t o h av e f ea tu re W AS P
activities.
2. A ct a s a n e.s b ur ea u f or b ot h i nd iv id ua l a nd
g ro u p a ct i vi ti e s t o p ro v id e a c cu r at e m at e ri al
p ub li ca ti on - r el ea se s t o b e s e nt . o ut r eg ul ar - ,
l y t o a l l i n di vi du al s, o rg an iz at io ns a nd p ub -
l ic at io ns o n t h e P u bl ic R el at io ns m ai li ng l is t.
A dd i ti on a l s er v ic es . hi ch c o ul d i n t im e b e pe r fo r me d
by a f o rw a rd -i o ok il l i P ub l ic R e la t io ns p ro g ra m l Il i gh t in -
cludea
1. C r ea ti o n o f an e f fe ct i ve j o b p la c em e nt b u re au ;
2 . D ev el op me nt o f tw o- wa y c oo pe ra ti on w it h n at io n-
a l a vi a ti on o rg a ni z at io n s a nd o f fi ci a l r e pr e se D-
t at io n o n a er on au ti ca l c om mi tt ee s, e tc . I t
w o ul d b e d ef i ni te l y u n de rs t oo d t ha t w o rk a lo l li
t h es e l i ne s . ou ld p ro c ee d s lo w ly a nd c a re fu l ly
w he re p ol ic y i s c o nc er ne d a nd o nl y w it h t he
c o mp l et e a gr e em en t o f o o F membership
) . S ti m ul at i ng f l yi ng a c ti vi t ie s by p r o vi d i ng m e an s
f or i n ex pe n si ve p ar t ic ip a ti o n t hr o ug h s pe c ia l
p ro je ct s; ( fo r e xa mp le : u se o f pl an es s po ns or ed
b y ai r cr a ft m an u fa ct u re rs , e t c. f or t r an s po rt a -
t io n i n c o nn e ct ~o n . it h N . A .A . s af e ty c am p ai gn
a i r p o r t i n s p e c t io n s . )
T hi s p ro gr am c ou ld p ro ba bl y b e c ar ri ed o ut m os t SIlC-
c e ss f ul ly b y a N at i on a l C om m it te e w it h P u b li c R e la ti o ns
r ep re se nt at iv es i n ea ch C ha pt er . T he c om pl et e s uc ce ss o f
t he p ro gr am w ou ld , o f c o ur se , b e de pe nd en t o n t he c oo pe ra -
t io n o f E VE RI m em be r o f t he o rg an iz at io n. I f we f or m a
n ew s b ur ea u, w e w ou ld b e c ou nt in g o n y ou t o ke ep u s i nf or m-
e d o n y ou r a ct iv it ie s a nd w e w ou ld l ik e a ll n ew s f or p ub li -
c at i on c o nc e rn in g W A SP a c ti vi t ie s t o b e cl e ar ed t h ro u gh
y o ur l oc a l C h ap t er m em b er o f t he P u b li c R e la t io ns C om m it te e .
I n t h is . ay , w e c a n b e s ur e t ha t a ll p ri nt ed r el ea se s . il l
b e a dv an ta ge ou s t o t he O OF a nd i n a c co rd an ce w it h t he p ol ic y
a gr e ed u p on by A LL o f u s.
S in ce y ou r P ub li c R el at io ns d ep ar tm en t i s o ut t o re p-
r es en t I OU , t he f ir st t hi ng w e w ou ld l ik e y ou t o do i s l et
u s k no w, D O Y QU A GR EE W IT H U S SO F AR ? A LS O? D O I OU H AV E
A N I S U G GE S TI O NS T O O F FE R ?
G lo r ia H ea th , C h ai r ma n
P u bl i c R e la ti o ns C o mm i tt ee
I T' S A P L AN E F AC T
Y ou c an 't m ak e a b et te r i nv es tm en t o f y o ur d ol la r a nd
d ol la rs . A b ra nd n ew P i pe r C ub J ) t h at m ay b e yo ur s, _
~, we say, i n the ve ry ne ar fu ture . Want it ? You r
c h ap te r p r es i de nt h as t i ck et s c om e o n , g et y ou r s n ow ,
d on 't d el ay . L et 's h op e t he w in ne r c an n av e t he s hi p
t hi s s pr in g a nd s um me r t o f ly a ro un d t he c ou nt ry i n
j u s t t h i ni < , it m i g ht b e 1 Q J l. !I I!
WIDDUNIIIT?
Y lb o du n ni t? G ot t h el l lS el v es o n t he r a di o , t h at i s , a n d
a s a p il ot f or t he f el lo w a w ho oo ol e l ot o f W AS Ps w ou ld m as t
p re fe r t o g et w ea th er ed -i n w it h? J os ep h C ot te n, h is se lf !
S om e g a l d i d t he r e w er e s e ve r al t h ou sa n d r a di o l i st en e rs
w ho c an v ou ch f or i t. T he y s ai d s o r ig ht o n t he a i r, r ig ht
i n t he s cr ip t t he y d ef in it el y s ta te d s ev er al t im es t ha t t he
w om an p il ot r ef er re d t o i n t he s to ry w as a f o rm er W AS P.
T ha t i Il Uc hw e k no w. N OW , w ha t . e wa nt t o k no w i s, W ID
W AS I T? ( If s om eb od y d oe sn 't w ri te i n an d t e ll u s o r g iv e
u s a g oo d l ea d, w e o f t h e e d it or ia l s ta ff f ee l i t w il l b e ne c-
e ss ar y t o t ak e s om e o f t he W AS P f un ds t ha t w e k ee p s ew ed u p
i n a n o l d m at tr es s a nd s en d t he o ne w ho W in s t he f ig ht t o in -
t er vi ew J . Oo tt en i n pe rs on . W e' ll n ee d n e w c l ot he s f or t h a
t r i p, t o o .)
H er e' s t he s t or y: J os ep h C ot te n a ct ed a s n ar ra to r o f
" T he E a gl e' s B r oo d ", a ra di o d ra m a a b ou t j uv e ni l e d e li nq u en c y
w hi ch t he C B S D o cu me nt ar y U ni t p re se nt ed a t 10 P .11.EST then ig ht o r M ar ch 9 th . I n t h e s t or y, t he n ar ra to r h os e n ar -
r at io n w as w r it te n ~ o ne R o be rt S ha yo n, o f t he C BS s tu di os ,
a nd w ho w as t he f el lo w w ho a c tu al ly m ad e t he f li gh t w it h o u r
W AS P t ak e s a t ri p t o a r e f or m at o ry s o me w he re i n a m ou n ta in -
o us s ta te . H e i s f lo wn t he re b y a gi rl , a fo rm er W AS P, a s
w e' ve m en ti on ed p ro ud ly a t e ve ry o pp or tu ni ty , a nd i n t he s to ry
s he i s gi ve n q ui te a s ym pa th et ic r ol e, a f ac t w hi ch m ak es M r.
S ba yo n o ne o f o u r f av or it e r ad io w ri te rs .
O ur C lo ak a nd D ag ge r c re w h er e i n Ne w I or k, Ca ft er h ea r-
i ng t he b ro ad ca st , i mm ed ia te ly g ot t o wo rk w it h t he ir b es t
G -2 e ff or ts , b ut t o no a va il . C BS s ay s p o li te ly t ha t t h e n am e
o f t h e g i rl c an 't b e re le as ed b ec au se a ll m at er ia ls f or t he
s to ry a re c la ss ed a s c o nf id en ti al a nd t he y d on 't w an t t he
i de nt it y o f t he r ef or m s ch oo l r el ea se d. S o, i f t he g al h as
b ee n s .o rn t o se cr ec y o r f ee ls s he c an 't c on sc ie nt io us ly r e-
v ea l h er se lf a nd s o b a sk . to t he f ul le st i n o u r a d mi ra ti on a nd
e n v y, w e ' ll u n d er s t an d .
I f s he C A N t el l u s, p le as e d o s o . O ur c ur io si ty i s al l-
c on su mi ng . B ut i f s he c a n' t, . e' re s ti ll m ig ht y p le as ed a nd
w e' re g la d t o an no un ce , t o t ho se w ho d id n' t h ea r t he b ro ad -
c as t, t ha t " on e o f O UR g ir ls h as d on e i t a ga in .".
W AS PS I N T HE N EW S
T he A v ia ti on H ew s B ea co n, p ub li sh ed i n Lo s A ng el es d ev ot es a
s ec ti on u nd er t he h ea di ng o f ~!lill ~ t o t h e a c ti v i-
t ie s o f w om en f ly er s. T he se a rt ic le s f re qu en tl y m en ti on s om e
o f o u r g a ls , s o f or y ou r i nt er es t w e' ve l if te d a f e w i t em s
h er e a n d t h er e .
N ov . 2 1 i ss ue - P ic tu re a nd a rt ic le o n B ar ba ra E ri ck so n L on do n
a nd h er h us ba nd a nd t he ir B T. T he y a re n ow o pe ra ti ng t he A cm e
S aw W or ks a lo ng w it h B ud a nd B et 1 G il li es .
J an . 9 i ss ue - B e rn ic e F 'a lk . 4 4- 7, i s t h e f ou nd er a nd c hi ef
e xe cu ti ve o f t h e G ar de n S ta te A ir wa ys i n Ba sk in g R id ge , N ew
J er se y. T he c o mp an y w as o r ga ni ze d t o f er ry a ir cr af t f or d i s-
t ri Pu ti on f ro m f ac to ri es o ve r t he S ta te s. I t i s a n a l l- ve te ra n
p ro je ct . it h f iv e A rm y a nd N av y f ly er s w or ki ng f or B er ni ce .
Jan. 16 i ss ue - E li za be th A . W at so n, 4 4- 5, p re si de nt o f t he L o s
A ng el es c ha pt er o f t h e O rd er o f F if in el la , b as p ro po se d t he
f or ma ti on o f a W om en 's A vi at io n C ou nc il . T he c o un ci l w il l b e
f or me d w he n o ff ic er s a nd c om mi tt ee h ea ds o f a ll L A w o me n' s g ro up
g ro up s m ee t. a nd a p pr ov e t he p r oj ec t. O rg an iz at io ns e xp ec te d t o
p ar t ic i pa te i n cl u de W om e n' s N at i on a l A e ro na u ti cs A ss o ci at i on ,
W om e n' s I nt e rn a ti on a l A s so ci a ti o n o f A e ro na u ti cs , N in e ty -N i ne s
a nd t he W A SP s.
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T H E W O M EN ' S A V I AT I O N C O N VE N T IO N
i l l S A N A N T O N I O
T he W O ME N' S A VI AT IO N C ON VE NT IO N h el d a t t he G un te r H ot el
i n Sa n A n to ni o F eb ru ar y 8 a nd 9 , wa s a n a nn ua l s ta te wi de c on -
v en ti on o f a ll w om en p il ot s, s po ns or ed b y t h e Te xa s 9 9' s. I t
w as a ls o a me et in g o f t he S ou th C en tr al S ec ti on o f 9 9' s a s
w el l a s a s ta te wi de m ee ti ng o f W AS Ps .
A n o r ga ni za ti on m ee ti ng w as h el d S at ur da y m or ni ng , F eb -
r ua ry 8 . Ma ry A nn H ob bs , c ha ir ma n o f t he T ex as c ha pt er , w el -
c o me d e v er y on e - i n tr od u ce d n a ti o na l , s ec t io n al a nd c h a pt e r
o ff i ce r s p r es en t . T ho s e p r e s en te d w er e : J e an n et t e L e mp k e
S ov er ei gn , N at io na l P re s. o f 9 9' s; M ic ky C ar mi ch ae l, P re s.
o f th e s ta te o rg an iz at io n o f e ~V AS Ps ; M il dr ed M il le r, G ov .
o f t he S ou th C en tr al S ec ti on o f 9 9' s; V el ma W oo dw ar d, C ha ir -
w om an o f n om in at in g c om mi tt ee o f th e S C S e ct io n; a nd B ro ne ta
D av i s, c ha i rw o ma n o f t he O k la ho m a C it y C h ap t er .
E ve ry on e e nj oy ed a h um di ng er l un ch eo n o n t he N o rt h
T er ra ce o f t he G un te r. E dn a G ar dn er W hy te o f F or t W or th m ad e
a s u pe rb t al k o n " W om en i n Av ia ti on a s a C ar ee r. " ( Su mm ar y
b e lo w) . P r io r t o t h e b us in e ss m e et i ng J e an ne t te S o ve re i gn
p re si de d a nd i nt ro du ce d g ue st s. S he c al le d o n m em be rs o f
o th er f ly in g g ro up s t o g iv e a br ie f w or d a bo ut t he ir o rg an i-
z at io ns . Mi ck y C ar mi ch ae l t ol d u s a b ou t t he O rd er o f F i fi -
n el la w hi ch i s t he o rg an iz at io n o f t he e xW AS Ps ; E dn a H am me r-m an s po ke a bo ut t he " Te xa s P ri va te F ly er s A ss 'n ." ; F ra nk ieW el bo rn s po ke o n t he T ex as W in g o f Wo me n f ly er s; H az el B ro wn
s po k e o n W om e n' s N at i on a l A e ro n au ti c s A s so c ia ti o n; a n d V e rn a
B ur ns s po ke o n " Ai r T ou rs ."
T he W A SP s a nd 9 9' s h el d s ep ar at e m ee ti ng s a t t hi s t i me .
N ex t o n th e p ro gr am w as a c o ck ta il p ar ty , t he n d in ne r,
a d an ce a nd f lo or s ho w. B il l M a tt he ws o f Sa n A nt on io w as
m as te r o f c er em on ie s a nd d i d a b an g- up j ob . D ot L em on o f
O kl ah om a C it y, w ho h as b ee n f ly in g f or m o re t ha n t we nt y
y ea rs , h as m o re t ha n 1 0, 00 0 h ou rs t o he r c r ed it , a nd i s on e
o f th e f or em os t i ns tr um en t i ns tr uc to rs i n th e c o un tr y, m ad e
a gr an d s pe ec h W hi ch g av e t he m e n a nd t he n on -f ly er s a n i n-
s ig ht i nt o w ha t f ly in g r ea ll y m ea ns t o wo me n. S he w a s f o l-
l ow ed b y B l an ch e N oy es , w ho g av e u s a t al k o n a i rm ar ki ng
a nd r ec o un t ed s o me o f h er v e ry i n te re s ti n g e x pe ri e nc e s.
T he t hi rd s oe ak er w as H az el R ai ne s, f or me rl y o f G eo rg ia , b ut
n ow o f O kl ah om a C it y. W it h h er G eo rg ia d ra wl s he h el d h e
a ud ie nc e s pe ll bo un d w hi le s he r el at ed h er e xp er ie nc es f ly -
i ng w it h t he R AF i n En gl an d a t t he b eg in ni ng o f t he w ar .
B el ow f ol lo ws a c on de ns ed v er si on o f Ed na G ar dn er
W h yt e 's s p ee c h . s or r y s pa c e d o es n' t a l lo w t h e f u l l s pe e ch .
W OM EN I N A VI AT IO N A S A C AR EE R
B Y E dn a G a rd n er W hy t e
S ho rt ly b ef or e t he A m el ia E ar ha rt T ro ph y a t M in es F ie ld
L os A ng el es , C al if or ni a, i n 1 93 6, t he r ep or te rs , i n i nt er -
v ie wi ng t he c on te st an ts , a sk ed e ac h o n e i f "W om en w ou ld f ly
f or f un o r f or p ay ch ec k. " I n co nt ra st t o mo re f am ou s a nd
w el l k no wn w om en p il ot s, I s ai d t h at w om en w il l a nd c an f ly
f or p ay ch ec k a nd c ar ee r. I na sm uc h a s I ha d b ee n a ba rn st or m
p il ot , a f li gh t i ns tr uc to r a nd c ha rt er p il ot f or s ev er al
l ar ge c om pa ni es , f or m o re t ha n s ix y e ar s, I f el t v e ry s tr on g-l y t h a t w o me n c o ul d f ly p ro f es si o na l ly .
I r et ur ne d t o N ew O rl ea ns a ft er t hi s r ac e a nd d ec id ed
t o st ar t a n av ia ti on t ra in in g s ch oo l. A ft er s ta rt in g w it h a
C -3 A er on ca a nd a J -2 C ub , I w as a bl e, b y m ea ns o f l on g h ou rs
a nd h ar d w or k, t o i n co rp or at e m y s ch oo l i n 1 93 9 w i th $ 75 ,0 00
w or th o f a ss et s. I n 1 94 2 I s ol d my s ch oo l t o th e N av y a nd
w en t t o F o rt h W or th a nd t au gh t C PT , W TS a nd I ns tr um en ts ,
w hi ch I mu st c on fe ss I c on si de r t he m o st i nt er es ti ng p ha se
o f a v i at i o n.
I n m y s ch oo l I h ad s ev er al t im es t hr ee o r m or e o f m y
o ~n g i rl g ra du at es w or ki ng a s fl ig ht i ns tr uc to rs . I fo un d
t ha t w om en f li gh t i ns tr uc to rs h av e m o re p at ie nc e a nd a re
m or e t ho ro ug h i n th ei r i ns tr uc ti ng d et ai l. T he y t ak e m o re
i nt er es t i n a s l ow s tu de nt , a nd i n ma ny c as es t he s tu de nt s
w ou ld c om e t o th e o f fi ce a nd a s k f or t h em , c la im in g t he y r e-
c ei ve d m or e f ro m t h ei r l es so ns w it h w o me n i ns tr uc to rs . I
n ev er d id h av e a g ir l s cr at ch a s h ip , e it he r a s a s tu de nt
o r a s a f l ig ht i ns tr uc to r i n c ha rg e o f a s t ud en t a nd s hi p.
W e w ho l ov e a vi at io n a nd h av e g iv en m os t o f o ur l iv es
t o i t wa nt t o s ee i t gr ow o n a s af e f o ot in g. I f ee l t ha t
a vi at io n i s a s s a fe a s t he p il ot s m ak e i t. T he C AA h as d on e
a go od j ob o f s et ti ng u p r ul es a nd w e c an a ll d o a l ot o f
g oo d b y p r ea ch in g t he f ol lo wi ng o f th es e r ul es . W e s ho ul d
e sp ec ia ll y s tr es s t o o ur y ou ng p il ot s w ho l ik e t o z o om a nd
s ho w o ff t ha t s af e f ly in g c om es f ir st . E ve ry a ir po rt h a~
o ne . H e w il l c ir cl e h is h om e o r g ir l f ri en d' s h ou se , t h1 nk -
i ng o nl y o f h ow m uc h h e i s i m pr es si ng t he p eo pl e o n t he
g ro un d a nd n ot w ha t h is p oo r l it tl e n os e- hi gh p la ne i s ab ou tt o d o. C AA r ec or ds s ho w t h at 8 5% o f o u r a cc id en ts a re d ue
t o p il ot e rr or , 2 % t o me ch an ic al a nd 1 4% t o we at he r. A vi a-t io n h as c om e a l on g w a y, t ha nk s t o g ov er nm en t r es ea rc h a nd
e xp er im en ta l w or k, a s w el l a s i t s c o nt ro l o f a ll a vi at io n,
b ut a cc id en ts a re s ti ll l ar ge ly c au se d b y p o or p il ot j ud ge -
m en t , a nd f ly i ng i n a d v er se w e at h er .
H er e a re a f ew r e co rd s f ro m t he T e ch ni ca l R es ea rc h D e-
p ar tm en t o f t he B u re au o f S ta nd ar ds , W as hi ng to n, D .C . I n
J an ua ry 1 94 5 t he re w er e 4 82 9 w om en h ol di ng p ri va te l ic en se s
a nd 6 1 8 w om en w it h c om me rc ia ls . I n Ja nu ar y 1 94 6 t h er e w er e
5 16 4 p ri va te l ic en se s a nd 1 06 9 c om me rc ia ls h el d b y w om en .
T hi s s ho ws a l ar ge i nc re as e i n th e n u mb er o f w om en f ly in g
commercially.
A vi at io n u se d t o be c on si de re d a ma n' s g am e f or t he
s up er ma n, b ut R ut h L aw , K at hr yn S ti ns on , a nd m an y o th er o ld
t im er s p ro ve d i t t oo k b ra in s a nd n ot b ra wn t o f l y a p la ne .
I m ai nt ai n t ha t w o me n p il ot s c an f ly a s we ll a s m en i f t he yw il l o bt ai n t he t r ai ni ng , h ou rs , a nd e xp er ie nc e, a s we ll a s
t he r at in gs e qu al t o me n. I ha ve f lo wn o ve r 9 40 0 h ou rs i n
2 1 ye ar s. I ha ve p er so na ll y s ol oe d a nd t au gh t t o f ly 2 3 1
s t ud en t s, b e si de s h u nd r ed s I ha ve t a ug h t t hr o ug h d i ff er e ntl ic en se s o r r at in gs , w ho h ad b ee n s ol oe d e ls ew he re . I h op e
I a m s ti ll f ly in g w he n I am 1 00 y ea rs o ld a nd u nt il t he n I
w il l n ot f ee l t ha t I h av e b ee n a s u cc es s a s a w om an p il ot
A vi at io n o ff er s w om en p il ot s g oo d p os it io ns i n ma ny
l in e s s uc h a s: - -
1 . N ew a nd u se d p la ne s al es - t hi s i s m y c ho ic e. I fi nd
i t v e ry i nt e re s ti n g d e mo ns t ra t in g a n d s el l in g a ir -
p la ne s. I ha ve j us t b e en a pp oi nt ed f ac to ry r ep re se n-
t at iv e f or t h e n e w B u ll et a ir pl an e b ei ng b ui lt a t
N or th A me rl ca n a t Da ll as , T ex as . I t lo ok s l ik e a
s ma ll P -5 1, h as f lu sh r iv et s, i s a ll m et al , l ow w i ng ,
r et ra ct ab le g ea r, c ru is es 1 85 m i le s p er h ou r, c om -
p le te w it h t wo -w ay r ad io a nd b li nd f li gh t g ro up .
T he t w o- pl ac e s el ls f or $ 3 50 0 a nd t he f ou r- pl ac e f or
$4750.
2 . F li gh t i ns tr uc to r - a ll p ha se s: g ro un d, i ns tr um en t,
contact.
3 . M an ag er o f an a ir po rt .
4 . M an ag er o f a vi at io n s ch oo ls o r d if fe re nt d ep ar tm en ts .
5 . A ir c ra f t f ac t or y r e pr e se n ta ti v es .
6 . P ro du pt io n t es t p i lo ts .
7 . A ir m ar ki n g.
8 . ' Ch a rt e r p il o ts .
9 . F ly in g f or p r iv at e c om pa ni es - I re co mm en d t hi s v e ry
h ig hl y, h av e a lw ay s e nj oy ed t he se p os it io ns . I n f er ry -
i ng p la ne s a ll o ve r t he U .S . t hi s l as t y ea r I wa s s ur -
p ri se d t o s e e s o m an y g ir ls w it h g oo d p os it io ns f ly in g
f o r p r i va t e c o m pa n i es .
1 0. A vi at io n s up pl ie s a nd p ar ts - t hi s c an b e a g o od b us i-
n e ss , i s v e ry , i nt er e st i ng a n d p a y s w e ll .1 1 . Av ia t io n i ns u ra n ce - a v ia t io n f in a nc e .
1 2 . A vi a t io n r e s ea r c h.
1 3. S ky w ri ti ng - h av e d on e t hi s. I t' s l ot s o f f u n a nd p ay swell.
1 4. B an ne r t ow in g - th is t ak es a mo re a dv an ce d p il ot . I t
p ay s w el l b ut i s v er y t ic kl is h f ly in g.
1 5. M ak i ng o f N at io n al a nd I nt e rn a ti on a l r e co r ds .
1 6. C ro ss c ou nt rv a nd c lo se d c ou rs e r ac es .
1 7. C om pe ti ti ve ~ ir m ee t f ly in g - t hi s i s l o ts o f f un .
1 8. F er ry p il ot - I e n jo y t hi s f or a w hi le .
1 9 . A d v e r t i si n g .
2 0. W ri t in g - b o ok s , n ew s pa p er s, m a ga z in e a rt i cl e s, r a di o
s cr ip ts , e tc . - th is o ff er s a v er y l ar ge f ie ld t ha t
d e fi n it e ly r e qu i re s a t l ea s t a p ri va t e p il o t' s l i ce ns e .
A vi at io n r ep or te rs s ho ul d h av e a b et te r k no wl ed ge o f
a v ia t io n i n or de r t o pr es e nt a vi a ti o n s t or i es , c r as he s ,
e tc . i n a b et te r w ay t o t he n on f ly in g p ub li c. "
13
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14.
W Ol l EN ' S A IR S P EE D M AR K S E T
I n a s t ri ~p e d c l ip pe d -w i ng t l av y C or s ai r, ( s ee
p ho t o) , l lI a r~ e H ur lb u rt s e t a w o m en ' s i n te rn a t-
i on al s pe ed r ec or d o f 3 3 7. b3 5 m il es a n h ou r. o ve r
a s t aO Oa rd t hr ee k il om et er c ou rs e a t t h e T am pa
A ll -W om an A ir S ho w, l la rc h 1 6, 1 94 7. H er t im e,
o ff ic ia ll y c he ck ed , w as 4 5 m p h b et te r t ha n t he
p ra v io us r ec o rd o f 2 9 2. 27 1 . w h ic h J a cq ue l in e C o ch -
r an e st ao li sh ed i n D et ro it i n 1 93 7.
! l ar ge w a s in C la s s 4 3 -W -6 . C o ng r at ul a ti o ns J li a rg ea n d 4 3 - 61
W as ps ! W as ps l W as ps I - m or e t ha n h av e b ae n s ee n i n o n e
p la ce s in ce A ve n6 er F ie ld o r th e ~ AS P R e un io n. T he y d e s-
c en de d u po n P et er O . Kn ig ht A ir po rt i n Ta mp a, F lo ri da w it h
a " Zo om , d ow n u p on y ou ". T he o cc as io n w as t he f i rs t A ll -
W o ma n A I r S h ow , W ar c h f i ft ee n th a n d s i xt e en e th , s p on so r ed
b y t h e F l o ri d a c h ap te r o f t h e ~ i ne ty - Ni n es .
T he s to ry o f t he A ir S ho w i s t he s to rJ o f a gr ou p o f
w om en p il ot s i n th e "i am i a re a. I n Ma y o f ' 4b at t h e
O rl an do a ir m ee t t he y d ec id ed t ha t n ex t y e ar t he y w ou ld
h av e t he ir o wn s ta te wi de m ee t - j us t a s ma ll g et -t og et he rf or t he p ur po se o f ru nn i~ o ff a f ew r ac es . T he i d ea g re w,
g ot a g oo d g ri p o n t he ir i ma gi na ti on s, a OO a ut no ri ty w as
p ar ce ll ed o ut . G la dy s P en ni ~t on , a F lo ri da 9 9' er , w a s
m ad e g e ne ra l c ha ir ma n a nd " Pe nn y" r ea ll y w en t t o wo rk . T he
~ as ps o n t h e A ir S ho w C om mi tt ee i nc lu de d C ar o B ay le y, 4 3- 7
S e cr e ta ry ; C ar y l J on e s, 4 3- 5 - F in an c e; R ut h C l if fo r d
H u be rt , 4 4- 8 - A i rp o rt ; D or o th y E b er s b ac h , 4 3 -5 - E nt e rt a in -
m en t; P eg gy L en no x, A TA - St ar te r. K at he ri ne L an dr y, 4 3- 7,
M il dr ed C al dw el l, 4 3- 6, a nd N on ni e H or to n, 4 3- 7, a ls o t hr ew
t i le i r e n er i) ' i n to t he w o rk . N i ne t y- Ni n es V e rn a B ur k e, I l Ia r-
i o n B er t ra m , R u th W al k er , l l ar y E ll e n V t ar d , a nd E ve l yn
~ cR ae a ls o d id a t r em en do us a mo un t o f w or k.
A q uo te f ro m a l et te r C ar o B ay le y w ro te w il l s ho w b et -
t er t ha n 1 c an t el l i t j us t h ow t he s ho w g ot s ta rt ed a nd i ts
purpose.
" Th i s w oo l e a i r s h ow b u si n es s s ta r te d w h en l l ar io n B e rt -
r am s ai d o n e n ig ht o ve r a gl as s o f b ee r, ' Wo ul dn 't i t b ef un i f w e c ou ld a ll g et t og et he r o n a f i el d a OO h av e o ur
o wn l it tl e r ac e, ' T ha t w as a t l ea st s ev en m on th s a go . A n d
h er e w e a re . G al s a re w r it in g f ro m a ll ov er t he c ou nt ry
s ay in g i t' s a g oo d i de a a nd t he y h op e t he y c an c om e a OO i f
t he y c an 't c om e t hi s y ea r, h av e a no th er o ne n ex t ~ ea r. l 'I el l,
there is a h el l o f a l o t o f w o rk t o b e d on e - p ro gr am s p ri nt -
e d, a c ts l i ne d u p, r u le s m a de , p ub l ic i ty , t he I l I ano f d is t in c -
t io n s t uf f, i nv it es p ut o u t, e tc . e tc . e t c. 1 ne ve r r ea l-
i ze d h ow m uc h t he re w as t o d o, h ow m an y p ho ne c al ls , l et te rs
w ri t te n, w o rr ie s , w o rr ie s , w o rr i es .
W ha t w e a re t ry in g t o d o i s h av e a n a ir sh ow i n w hi ch
t he g i rl s w il l f ee l f r ee t o ra ce a nd p ar ti ci pa te . Y ou k no w
y ou rs el f t ha t a l ot o f g ir ls w il l r ac e i f i t' s n ot a ga in st
m en o r ri gh t a ft er a ma n' s r ac e. N ob od y r ea li ze s ( 1 d id n' t
m ys el f) w ha t f un r ac in g c an b e. W he n 1 sa w t he w ay J a ne
P ag e a Dd ! la rg e H ur lb ur t ( Ed . N ot e - 4 3- 7 a nd 4 3- 6, s ec oD d
p la ce a OO w in ne r i n H al le T ro ph y R ac e a t C le ve la nd ) l oo ke da ft er t ha t r ac e a nd h ow m u ch f un t he y s ai d i t w a s, 1 w an te d
t o ra ce m y se lf . W e' re t ry in g t o se ll I II Or eh er ic an w om en o n
t he s po rt a Dd p ra ct ic ab il it y o f fl yi ng a Dd a ls o t o gi ve t he
g ir ls w ho d o f l y s o me th in g t o us e t he ir s ki ll f or . W e c an 't
m ak e a li vi ~ a t i t, w e mi gh t a s w el l h av e f un w it h i t.
F ra nk ly , w e t hi nk i t w il l d o a l ot f or p r iv at e f ly in g, a OO
w ou ld l ik e t o m ai l: ei t a n a nn ua l a ff ai r. A OO - w e d o e x pe ctt o ha ve fun out of i t. . ,
F e br u ar y 1 8, 1 94 7 "
T he f ir st d ay o f t he m ee t d aw ne d g ra y a Dd m is ty . R ai n
d ri pp ed a nd p ou re d - p eo pl e k ep t c om in g - t he r ai n s ti ll
c am e d ow n. S at ur da y w as s pe nt s we at in g o ut t he w ea th er a nd
g oi ~ o ff i nt o c or ne rs a Dd o ff er in g u p s il en t p ra ye rs . !IJ!i
h el pi ng M ar ge H ur lb ur t s et u p t h e r e d t a pe f or h er t ry a t t he
s p e ed r e co r d .
P r ac t ic al l y a l l t he W a sp s a va i la bl e w e re e it h er l u gg i ng
t hi r ty -p o un d b a tt e ri es a ro u lX l i n t h e m uc k , h e lp i ng p u mp g a s
i nt o t he " Lu ck y G al lo n" o r s c ou ri ng t he c ou nt ry si de f or b at -t er y c li ps . E ve ry th in g w as f in al ly a ss em bl ed a Dd w e s at b a ck
t o w ai t o ut t h e w e a th e r.
S un da y m or ni ng b ef or e t he c ro wd w as o ut o f b e d M ar ge
m ad e h er f i rs t t ry f o r t oe r e co rd . T we lv e b ea ut if ul p as se s
s he m ad e i n he r c l ip pe d- wi ~ C or sa ir o ve r t he c l os ed c ou rs e
o nl y t o fi nd t ha t t he t im e w as on ot o ff ic ia l d ue t o a s ho rt
i n t he t we nt y- tw o m il es o f te le pb on e w ir e. T 'w as e no ug h t om ak e a ny bo dy b ut ! la rg e g iv e u p a D d e it d ow n f or a g oo d c ry .
B ut t ha t a ft er no on s aw h er a t i t a ga in a nd t hi s t im e s he m ad e
i t. Y ip pe e - a Wa sp b el d t he w om an 's s pe ed r ec or d o f t he
w or ld . T im e w a s 3 37 .b 35 m il es p er h ou r;
T he s ho w i n t h e a ft er no on w as a h on ey . I t c li ck ed
s ~o ot hl y a nd y o u g al s c an b e pr ou a o f t he p ar t t he W as ps t oo k.
F o r t i le y t o o it a l m os t e v e ry t h in g .
C ar ol yn C ul le n, 4 4- 6, w on t he 6 5 h p. h aD di ca p r ac e b y
o ut ru nn in g A nn e S h ie ld s, 4 3- 5. C ar ol yn f le w h er o w n C ub i n
w hi ch s be b ad b e en t ou ri ng s ou th er n F lo ri da e ve r s in ce t he
A ir M an eu ve rs i n J :4 ia mi i n Ja nu ar y. H ow s he m a na ge d t o s t uf f
t he t ro ph y i n wi tn a ll h er o t he r b ag ga ge w as a s o ur ce o f w on -
d er t o us a ll . W he n l as t s ee n C ar ol yn w as h ea di ng h om e t o
P it ts fi el d, M as s. - s u nt an , t ro ph y, a nd a ll .
S aD dw ic he d i n b et we en t he r ac es w er e n ov el ty a ct s a OO
t he f ir st o ne w a s I l il dr ed C al dw el l, 4 3- 6. P oo r " Du ke ", t he yf in al lY m ad e h ar s ol o. S he w as h ar d t o c at ch a OO i ns is te d o n
c li ll lb in g o ut o ne s id e a s s he w as s ho ve d i n t h e o th er , b ut t he
u ni te d e ff or ts o f s o me o f t he W as pi es f in al ly g ot h er s tr ap pe d
i n. W he n t he y s p un t he p ro p w ha t h ap pe ne d b ut t h e d ar n p la ne
f el l a pa rt - b ro ke r ig ht s ma ck i n t wo ! D id t he y l et h er g o?
O h n o, - t he y p ut t he t hi ng b ac k t og et he r a ga in a OO m ad e h er
f ly i t. S he r em iO Oe d u s a ll o f ou r o wn s ol o - u p a nd d ow n,
s li p a n d s ki d, b ou nc e, b ou nc e, b ou nc e. A OO t he s h ip f el l i n
t wo a ga in a s s o on a s s he g ot o n t h e g r ou nd .
T he B T r ac e, l im it ed t o W as ps a nd A TA , f ea tu re d t hr ee
W as ps , - A ad dy L an dr y, 4 3- 7; J an e P ag e, 4 3- 6; a nd R ut h C li f-
f or d H ub er t, 4 4- 8. J an e h ad f lo wn t hr ee S te ph en s C ol le ge
g ir ls d ow n i n a Ce ss na a nd h ad n' t i nt en de d t o e nt er t he r a ce ,
b ut K ad dy f ou nd h ar a s hi p a OO s ai d, " Co me o n, g ir l, g et i n
t hi s t hi ng ." J an e d id g e t i n an d c li pp ed t ho se p yl on s l ik e
a n o ld -t im er t o w in t he r ac e, a t ro p~ , a nd t oe p ur se t na t
w en t a lo ng w it h i t.
I Il is sO rp h el i a B u tt s, f or m er l y o f O sh g os h, n ow o f Da yt o na
B ea ch , F la ., i n t he p er so n o f D ot S wa in , 4 4- 5, a pp ea re d o n
t he s ce ne a bo ut t hi s t im e, a ll d re ss ed u p i n a s h ap el es s g ar -
m en t s ay i ng , " li o m ao h a s e v e r t a \l l lh t me a ny t hi ng , s o n o m an
i s go in g t o te ac h m e h ow t o f ly ." W it b h er i ll us tr at ed b oo k
o n h ow t o f ly c lu tc he d t o he r b os om , O rp he li a t oo k o ff , l os t
t he b oo k, a OO p ro ce ed ed t o d o t hi 1' s w it n t ha t C ub t ha t
s ho ul dn 't b e d on e t o an y p l an e. V er na B ur ke , t he a nn ou nc er ,
k ep t u p a r u nn in g c om m en t t h e w h ol e t i ll lew it h h e r, " OO O OO R-
p he l ia , P le e ee ee e as e, O rp h el ia , t he r u dd er a n d t h e ai l er on s
g o t og et he r, n ot o pp os it e. 1 i0 0O OO ~ O OO Oh , O rp he li a, g et y ou r
n os e u p - -- -- no t T HA T H IG H, O rp he li a, " a s t he l it tl e C ub
s t o od s t r ai5 ht up in t he ai r.
T h e f r e e- f or - al l r ac e b e t we e n p l an es h av i ng a n ad v er t is ed
c ru is in g s pe ed o f 1 25 m il es p er h ou r' wa s w on b y B e tt y S ke lt on
o f Ta mp a. R ut h C l if fo rd H ub er t, 4 4- 8, p la ce d t hi rd .
C ar o B ay le y, 4 3- 7, t he n t oo " a s a il pl an e u p a l Xl p ut o n
a y um my e xh ib it io n t ha t m a de u s a l l w a nt t o do w i th ou t t he
p ow er -p la nt . A s C ar o w e nt i nt o a s lo w r o ll 1 t ho ug ht o f wh at
s he h ad w ri tt en c on ce rn in g h er f ir st o ne , - " a m g oi ng o ut
e ve ry d ay n ow t il l 1 ge t t h e n e rv e t o do a s lo w r ol l. S ta rt ed
o ne t he o t he r d ay , t he s af et y b el t w as n' t t ig ht e no U& h. s o 1
h it t he c an op y w hi cb f le w o pe n a nd s or t o f a id a f a st r ec ov er y. "
S he I md e vi de nt ly g ot te n u p t h e n e rv e, f or s he d ia a p er fe ct
o ne a Dd e Dd ed u p la mi ng r ig ht o n th e s po t. " Su ds " J on es a ct -
e d a s B a yl ey 's h aD dy m an i n t h e t ow p l an e.
J ea n B ro ad he ad , w ho h as m ov ed i nt o t he W a sp N es t i n ~ ia mi ,
e ve n t ho ug h n ot a Wa sp , t he n p ut o n h er e xh ib it io n i n t h e 1 91 0
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15.
pusher. It was a skeleton, wings and tail covered, aDd that'sall, sister. Smokepoured out of the pusher and it was easyto see whythe folks in 1910 didn't think that "iron bird"was here to stay.
The Fly-By gave us all a look at the newplanes. Fea-tured was a Seabee piloted by Peggy Lennox, ATA;a Cessna140 flown by Dorotny Ebersbach, 43-5; and an Ercoupe flownby AnnRoss, 43-7. The gals did a smooth job of demonstrat-ing their ships. (Does a~one knowwhere I can find a few
thousand shekels to buy one?)
KaddyLandry, 43-7, gave a magnificent delllOnstrationto walk aW83with first place and an enormous trophy in theaerobatic competition. Those three snaps in a row were afar cry from our aerobatics at Avenger Field. Incidentally,Kaddyis touring the country with Jesse Bristow's air showgiving the SSJlleaerobatic exhibition. Ruth Hubert and BettySkelton also demonstrated the fine art of flying invertedand tearing a plane inside out.
The bad weather prevented the four ships in the Trans-continental from completing the race, but two weather pilots,Carolyn West, of La Canada, Calif., and Beatrice Wedes, 43-3,won the commercial section of the race limited_to planes upto 250 hp. They came through all that "eather in an Ercoupe.
Adisappointment to us all was the cancellation of theparachute jump. lep, another WASP. This time it was IUt-
chell Long, 43-7, "ho has SOlliesixty-odd jumps to her credit.llitchell camedownfrom Birminghamto makethe jump and thenhad to cancel it because of the wind.
That about finishes the Air Showwhich was a huge SUCCesswith NOTONEACCIDENT.Not even a taxi -accident. The kids"ere on toeir toes.
It all ended up with a fine cocktail party where we sawWaspswe hadn't seen in years and gathered all sorts of infor-mation.
Betty Haas, 43-5, was there, baving flown in Saturday in
"Galloping Gertie", her P-39. WhenC. Jones and I flew backto liiami Ilonday in a Cuband a C-3, Betty acted as our fight-er escort.
Gene Smith Walteley, 43-7, and her husband left the threechildren (three, mind you) at hollleand flew over to see theshow. Gene, if you remember, was married at Mather Field,Sacramento, just after graduating from Avenger.
Katie Stamps, 43-8, rolled in from Alabamato tell usshe was starting a restaurant. It would be a good idea forall XCWaspsto find the location in case they get weatheredin witoout a dime.
Ruth Shafer, 44-4, flew downfrom Philadelphia in a BT.
Catherine Jones, 43-6, couldn't resist the showandflew-in by airline Saturday night to check on the progress.
All in all, it was something tnat eV8r1 one of youshould llave attended. "hat do you think of the idea of hav-i r l & the National Reunion along with the Air Showanother year?
Route 1, North RidgePainesville, OhioJanuary 25, 1947
Dear Fifinellas,
This is to those amongyou whoare interested in racing -plane racing, that is. Last year at the Cleveland National
Air Races the waaen's race was almost omitted for lack ofentries and lack of cooperation by women. THISMtm!l'T HAPPENAGAr.l I pledged myword - knowing so manyof you - that thereare plenty of GOODwomenPILOTSin the country whowould liketo get in the races if they only knewhow.
Here'e the story. At the 1947 Nationals there will betwo races for womenIF THEREAREENOUGHENTRIES. The firstis the Halle race, with a first prize of i 2 . 5 o o , for AT-6's.Start snooping around nowand find one. It isn't necessaryto buy one - use finesse. blake somearrangement llith theowner wherebyyou divide the prize money- then find a com-pa~ interested in advertising to P83 the expenses for gasand oil, both for practice and cross-country to Cleveland, therace, and return home. It mayrequire a little effort onyour part, but the companies are there.
The second race is a little tougher since the planes are
only nowin construction. The race is sponsored by Goodyearof Akron to the tune of $25,000 total prize moneyeach yearfor the next three years. I have no idea what will be put upfor the women's race - we do not compete with the menfor thebig 1II006Y, that's for sure. Wehave no racing pilots readyfor that kind of racing yet.
There are sixteen of these ships in constructioll on tileWest Coast, one in Gainesville, Florida, probe.bly more inparts of tne country about which I Knownothing, and one inlIich1gan. 1Iymanin lI.1chigan should have his ship ready fortestiI16 by the end of February. If it tests out he is ioi~to build ae mallYas the market calls for, so we ms;yhave asource for this type of racer.
If you are in contact with designers, builders, etc.,whomyou can interest in this ship, write to me and I'll ndyou full details and specifications for the racer. That'swhat I did here in this section of the country, and you maybe able to do the sBlle. TRYl Weneed at least eight entriesand should be able to get ma~ more tbantbat. I've hadestimates in price for a racer from $30
