LadiesLoveTaildraggers

Sheila Mabbitt is based in Nashville, TN at KBNA, Nashville International Airport.

I grew up in S. Carolina and took to the skies at age 20 though as a flight attendant for a major airline. I quickly nurtured a desire to learn to fly, but suppressed that dream for several years until finances and timing came together at a juncture that would certainly prove to change my life. Shortly after obtaining all my ratings, I began my adventures logging time as a pipeline patrol pilot, and soon thereafter had the good fortune of meeting a gentleman who needed a co-pilot for his cargo company. I immediately embarked on a journey that has taken me through aviation history.

I began flying DC-3s for him in 2003 and quickly fell in love, not just with the Gooney Bird, but with all WWII era airplanes, particularly those consisting of the tailwheel/radial engine combo and have had the opportunity to fly T-6s, Wacos, Stearmans, & Beech 18s, to name a few. I was typed in the DC-3 in 2004 and have logged more than 1,000 hrs in type. I have flown them all over the country experiencing the earth’s beauty from the open cockpit window 500′ AGL. My most rewarding trips thus far have been various humanitarian missions. I now fly a King Air 200 out of Nashville, but stay involved in the DC-3 community whenever possible.

Flying DC-3s has opened so many doors for me and allowed me to meet many other great aviators and aviatrixes, some of whom I’ve had the honor of being featured with in Sparky Barnes Sargent’s book entitled, “A Hunger for the Sky” seen here: http://home.windstream.net/av8terz/book.html .

By Judy Birchler, host of LadiesLoveTaildraggers.com

To celebrate the Centennial of Licensed Women Pilots and Women’s Day, women pilots from around the world will attempt to set a new worldwide flying record: the most women pilots introducing a woman to flying in one single day, March 8, and in one single week, March 6 to March 12.

Raymonde de Laroche, 1st Women Pilot

Raymonde de Laroche, an experienced French balloonist became the first woman to earn a pilot’s license, March 8, 1910.

Help establish a world record, take a woman on a short flight to introduce her to the joys of flying.  (If you need to do your flying on a weekend, I suggest either Saturday or Sunday, March 6 or 7).  Click on this link and, lady taildragger pilots, please consider introducing another woman to flying sometime this week!  Don’t forget to register!

http://centennialofwomenpilots.com/about

If you are planning a flight or an event related to this “Centennial” celebration, please post a comment.  We have a member in Ohio who might be interested in being a part of your event and there may be other tailwheel gals in other areas that may want to join you!

Harriet Quimby, 1st U.S. Licensed Pilot

Although August 1, 1922 Harriet Quimby become the first female licensed U.S. pilot the first female pilot in the world received her license March 8, 1910.

Born in Michigan, Harriet Quimby (1875 – 1912) became a successful journalist and screenwriter before she becamed interested in aviation in 1910.

Kathy Royer's Cessna 180H

Kathy Royer’s “The Most Beautiful 180 on the Planet” according to her friend and flying buddy, Lynn Gardner.

2008 EAA Aircraft Award:

Outstanding Cessna 180/182/210, Outstanding In Type

Kathleen Royer, Port Orange, FL, 1965 Cessna 180H, N65LG

Pilot info pending.

Bird NC760Y, a true "scarf & goggles" airplane!

Juliet Lindrooth and her husband own two airplanes; a 1932 Brunner Winkle Bird BK with Kinner R55 engine and a Grumman Tiger.  Both are based at North East Philadelphia Airport (PNE).

I have been flying since I was 15 and soloed on my 16th birthday (long time ago).  I am lucky enough to fly for American Airlines for a living; however, I am temporarily out on medical disability. I am hoping to get the medical back soon. I am lucky that my husband is also a pilot and lets me fly when we go places so I can stay in practice and have some fun.

I hold a single engine commercial, multi engine atp and a type rating in a JetStream 31.  I also have non current CFI, II and MEI ratings. I am hoping to get a helicopter rating as soon as possible.

This summer we are hoping to do a barnstorming tour to Oshkosh with a group of friends. I will send pictures if it works out.

For a really fun day, visit the Eagles Mere Air Museum in Sullivan County PA. There are over 25 flying, vintage tail draggers up there. The museum is open on Sundays in the summer which is where you will most likely find me playing during that time.  www.eaglesmereairmuseum.org.

Also on most Thursdays, you will find me at Posey Brothers Aviation in Robinsville, NJ rebuilding vintage airplanes. We are currently working on a Pitcairn PA5 mailwing, Lark, Peit n Pol, Alexander Eagle Rock and a Pitcairn PA18 autogyro.  The Bird will be in soon getting an annual.

Jeanene flies out of GPZ in Bovey, Minnesota.   Pictures pending.

I have been a pilot since 1984. I learned in a tricycle gear but have flown only taildraggers since I got my license. I have my land/sea tickets and enjoy float flying very much. We fly skis in the Winter. I have two cute little Champs, NC 84976. Her name is Yellow Bird, and N249MM.  Her name is Minnie Mouse.   Both are down for restoration at this time. We are putting a seaplane door and float fittings on Yellow Bird. I am hoping that Yellow Bird will be in the air again by Spring. We hope to make it to Middletown for the flyin. We also have a PA-12 Super Cruiser, N61465. Her name is Fifi and she is airworthy. We also fly her on floats and skis. My husband, Hal, and I both love to fly and enjoy the low and slow experience that old airplanes give us. We have flown all over the United States. We enjoy going into small grass strips and talking with local people. We have met some very interesting people and heard some great flying stories in our travels.

NC84472

Dianne Wieman’s Aeronca Champ 7AC——-it took her 5 years to put it back together from a pile of pieces!

I have a CFII, ASEL with a CFIG (glider).  I am the squadron Commander for ALAMO composite Civil Air Patrol (the composite indicates cadets and seniors!) and have gained another aircraft project to work on!  Just recently I became a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas!  I have built a hanger at Zuehl airport and house the Champ and a Cessna 150.  Inside the hanger I have also built a workroom 15 feet by 33 feet to allow me to work on aircraft in air conditioned comfort in South Texas!

TDA is the name of my Champ.  The name came from my husband who would ask if I was going to go work on THAT D_____ AIRPLANE again tomorrow!  It took 5 years to put it together and at this time the annual is going to be competed for the 9th time since its restoration.  I have flown the Champ to the National Aeronca Association flyin at Middletown, Ohio several times. (about 1079 KM one way).  By the way, the trip takes about 13.5 flying hours and if you are REAL lucky and have a couple of friends helping with the “PIT” stops, the trip on the way back to San Antonio can be accomplished in one day!  (we know this because one of the GUYS wife wanted him home and we decided to attempt the one day trip!  The gentleman is still married and flying!

I myself, am an antique———- but that does not slow my love for flying, teaching and introducing young people to any type of flying.

Dianne says she is married to a wonderful guy who puts up with her aviation habits (he has an instrument rating, though does not fly anymore).  Her married name is actually Dianne Wieman-Deyeso – but due to a late life marriage, no children and a huge hassle to change all of her documents, everyone knows her as Dianne Wieman.

Shannon Gallagher with 1940 Taylorcraft

My name is Shannon Gallagher and I live in Hohenwald, TN at 0M3 Baker Field.  I have been taking lessons for 7 months now and learning to fly in a 1940 Taylorcraft, BC65.  I really enjoy it and hopefully, as soon as the weather gets better, will finish my flight training.  This is something I’ve wanted to do all my life but was unable to till recently.  I have never flown anything else but a taildragger at this point, and really don’t care if I ever do as I love the little plane.  I have learned to fly using only the simple gauges and no fancy stuff.  I like it that way and appreciate others who have the skill in these wonderful machines.

I have enclosed a photo of me in front of Chuck’s plane.  It’s my good fortune to have a boyfriend who happens to have a taildragger!

Me and Old Betsy

Me in Old Betsy taking off for our first flight together.  A moment to remember.

Went flying as a group with Chuck and some friends all day event.

Cross country trip with friends

If  job and weather had been cooperating I could have soloed by now but unfortunately they haven’t.  However, I look forward to that first solo flight.  I am probably more excited about flying that first solo than I should be, but I have faith in my instructor and in both my ability and in the plane I am flying.
We live right across the street from the Airport where we hangar our plane.  It’s nice .  Usually in May the local flying club puts on a fly-in and when I get the details I’ll pass them along.  I would very much like for you to come with as many women as you can.  If you need a place to rest and wash my home is across the street  and you are welcome to stay.
Believe it or not I am the only woman to be instructed here at this airport and I now have  another young woman learning in a Cessna 150 and going for her private.  Her hubby is a pilot with Southwest airlines.  Her son Ethan also has his private and is in school for commercial pilot.
The older men at this airport who also fly taildraggers are very encouraging  to me and are full of advice on tailwheel flying.  They tell me that when I am through I’ll be a better pilot than most men because I am learning in a plane that teaches you HOW TO FLY not one that flys for you.  Course that is just RC’s way of being  just a very sweet, old guy.  He is 83 years old and still flies a Swift tailwheel.  He also has a Navion.
Our airport is very tailwheel friendly.  We have a Steerman 450, Piper PA 12,  Piper Colt,  Pitts, Rowden T1,  Luscombe 8A,  Globe Tempo  Swift,  and of course, our little Taylorcraft BC65.

Check out Shannon & Chuck’s Project:   1946 Taylorcraft Restoration Project