LadiesLoveTaildraggers | For the gals who LOVE the fun of flying taildraggers! LadiesLoveTaildraggers

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Lady Taildraggers Fly-in Count-down!

Judy May 18, 2013 Blog Comments

I’m hoping for a huge turnout at our Lady Taildraggers Fly-in the end of this month. If you’re not registered, no problem, there’s still time!  I’m counting down the days hoping for blue skies for all of us flying into Savannah-Hardin County Airport, Tennessee! Motels and transportation are available for non-campers. LLT Fly-in Details

Paperless PostThe 2013 fly-in tshirt Kelly Jeffries is modeling turned out fabulous and I can’t wait to get my hot little hands on mine! They’ll be in Savannah for you to pick up if you pre-ordered and there’ll be just a few extra for sale. Kelly enlisted her artist friend to do the artwork so please let her know you appreciate it when you see her.

Kelly Jeffries LLT 2013 Flyin tshirtAnd even sooner than our LLT fly-in, I’m heading to Gaston’s Resort for the OK18 Fly-in. PLEASE come! I’ll be flying down to 3M0 early Friday, May 24 for a couple days and doing their way-cool Saturday Poker Run. Still room in the cabin for any ladies needing a spot for Friday or Saturday night. Call Judy at 317-506-2737.

GastonsFor a $25 donation to the Wounded Warriors Project you can have one heck of a flying day. Fly to any or all of the stops; you can pick up cards back at 3M0 for any stops missed. The first landing at The Valley Airport is a fly-in breakfast and there’s a lunch stop a little later. Should be a blast!

Gastons Wounded Warrior Flyer

Everyone welcome to come. Please give me a call if you’re thinking about it and I’ll give you more details.

Blandine Washington (Illinois)

Judy May 15, 2013 'Central' Gals, Profile Comments

Blandine Washington is based at H49 Sackman Field Airport, Columbia, Illinois & 3IL1 Silver Creek Gliderport, New Douglas, Illinois.

Blandine Washington Facebook

I started flying gliders in 2000 and earned my Private Pilot-Glider certificate in 2002. My husband and I built a Rans S-7 and it flew for the first time in 2012.

Blandine Washington

While we were building the S-7 we purchased a share of an Aeronca Chief to build our tailwheel experience before the S-7 was completed.  I enjoy the challenge of flying conventional gear aircraft and I’m currently working on my Sport Pilot certificate.

Blandine Washington 2

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Flying a Grob sailplane

Judy May 13, 2013 Blog Comments

I lucked out today getting my very first sailplane ride on what turned out to be a near perfect thermal condition day. Many thanks to sailplane pilot Nyal Williams for the invitation and to pilot, Ron Clarke for an extraordinary flight. IMG_2730 Winds were gusting over 20 when I departed MQJ in my Rans S7 for the short 30 mile hop to Alexandria, Indiana to meet up with the glider guys. I figured it might be a good day for sailplanes based on how much the up and down-drafts slammed me around on my short flight. Luckily I was right about that. IMG_2711I know a lot of you ladies have your glider rating and after today I’m going to have to figure out a way to make it happen for me too. I was more than a little surprised at the basic stick and rudder skills that a glider constantly demands. And what a blast doing slow, tight turns while listening to the audio variometer’s pitch rise, fall and rise again as we tried to stay in the lift. I seemed to get fixated on watching the instrument itself which is silly since you can hear the pitch constantly changing. Better to focus your sight outside and fly the aircraft. IMG_2724I can see myself flying an imaginary line of cumulus clouds cross-country, sailing from one cloud to the next searching for the ultimate lift. What I’m having a little more trouble visualizing is climbing out tethered 200′ behind a Pawnee trying to hold that precise perfect position. I know I can do it but that part’s going to take a little practice. Same thing with the landing. The approach is very similar to what I’m used to but I don’t typically drive it on to the tarmac like we seemed to do today. I slow it down with flaps, let the speed bleed off and usually full stall with a flare vs. the sailplane’s “spoiler on” approach and plant the main wheel near the numbers landing. They both work, just something that will take some practice. IMG_2720 I flew home, checked my Facebook and found this very nice follow up note between the guys, cc to me…..

Judy was very lucky to experience the good conditions today and seemed to very much enjoy the flight . She actually was well able to fly the glider and would have no difficulty getting a rating . My summary of the flight : * 3 minute tow to 2000 agl . * 1 hour flight covering over 50 miles Alex / Marion / Elwood / Bonges Restaurant / Alex. using just 4 thermals . * Average climb rate for whole flight 4 knots * Best Thermal average 7 knots * Best altitude 8300 msl . * Winds 320 / 15 Tell her I enjoyed showing her how efficient gliders are ! Ron (ZA)

I shot this short video of our approach & landing in the Grob and you can immediately hear the audio variometer.

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Sally Canning (New Mexico)

Judy May 11, 2013 'Mountain' Gals, Profile Comments

Sally Canning is based at Tuscon Valley Ranch, New Mexico.

Sally Canning

600 hours in a Citabria; 400 hours in a Maule. I fly a taildragger because that is all I have ever known and because of our ranching. I don’t gather cattle with the plane but prefer to keep the plane at home. I live far enough away it is more convenient to fly to town (and a lot more fun). For many years we had several ranches and that is how we got back and forth. I co-piloted with my father for many years, but never PIC in his Bonanza. I started when I was 7; I was flying the plane while my father slept. Then in 1994 I got my private so I could continue flying for my fathers ranch.

Sally Canning my maule and runway

I have a nice Maule, N40330 for sale. My web site is www.laughingsheepfarm.com and have a super (difficult) grass strip (with sprinkler system, windsock and 1960′). Fly in and eat at our wonderful restaurant. I have cabins and private fishing also. Live music..we love life.

Laughing Sheep Farm Restaurant

Google 124 Orchard View Lane, Lincoln, NM and the GPS on Google Earth will take you there.

Doc & Dan

Doc & Dan

OH!!! I just named my new little horse. Her name is Bonanza SureCan Fly.

Happy Trials and Skies,

Sally

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“The Flying Girl” by Edith Van Dyne

Judy May 8, 2013 Blog Comments

TheFlyingGirl Book

Has anyone had the pleasure of reading the book “The Flying Girl”? I came across a photo of the book today and was immediately intrigued. The book’s hard-cover has an image of a young woman with scarf blowing in the wind, seated and flying what appears to be a Wright Flyer. How exciting – a book written before the era of Wacos, Fleets, or Travel Airs with an image of a woman pilot!

I discovered it was first published in 1911 and was written by L. Frank Baum under the pseudonym “Edith Van Dyne” the author of The Wizard of Oz. It is “a high-flying adventure featuring intrepid girl aviator Orissa Kane. Like Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, Orissa is intelligent, self-reliant and always persevering. Circumstances force young Orissa Kane into the air in her brother’s innovative new airplane. But a deadly foe is intent on sending her crashing back to earth. Soar to new heights with the Flying Girl as she braves countless dangers to achieve worldwide acclaim.”

The Flying Girl and her Chum

With a little Wikipedia research I discovered, “In the book, Baum pursued an innovative blending of genres to create a feminist adventure melodrama. The book was followed by a sequel, The Flying Girl and Her Chum, published the next year, 1912.”

“The first book opens with a Foreword in which Baum thanks Wilbur Wright and Glenn Curtiss “for courtesies extended during the preparation of this manuscript.” Curtiss and the Wright Brothers appear briefly in the book, along with other early “aeronauts” like Walter Brookins and Arch Hoxsey. Baum’s treatment of heavier-than-air powered flight through both books is strongly affirmative.”

I find everything about this absolutely amazing…..the books were written by the author of one of the most famous books ever written, The Wizard of Oz, they portray women as competent, accomplished individuals several years before women won the right to vote in the U.S., and there is even a Foreword where Wilbur Wright and Glenn Curtiss are personally thanked.

I WANT these books! Better yet, I want them in original print! Gotta go now, Ebay’s calling my name!

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