Nancy-Bird was a name I heard often when talking to people about my dream to become a pilot. A friend gave me the book ‘My God it’s a Woman’ and since then I have become fascinated with Nancy’s life story.

Joining the Australian Women Pilots' Association has become a great source of friendship, camaraderie and support for both of us as young female pilots.In 1950 Nancy-Bird founded this organisation which has provided us with many opportunities. Nancy-Bird was Australia’s first aviatrix to use a Commercial Pilots Licence in 1935 where she provided an aerial baby clinic and ambulance in far west NSW and Queensland. Her many accolades included an OBE(’66) and OAM(’90) and in ’97 was named a National Living Treasure. At her State funeral in January this year she was described as having the ‘Grace of a glider and determination of a jet fighter’ by her granddaughter Anna Holman.

Heather and I have decided to undertake the Air Race Classic in Nancy-Bird Walton’s honour as this is both the 80th anniversary of the race and the year in which Nancy passed away peacefully in her sleep. If Nancy and the many other courageous young women of the time had not broken the barrier and been so determined in what they achieved then perhaps we would not be as fortunate today in our endeavours.

A380 Naming Ceremony