LadiesLoveTaildraggers

Masie Veal is based at KRBL, Red Bluff Municipal Airport (her back yard), Red Bluff, California.

Masie Veal

“I am 16 years old and love our J-3 Cub. I soloed on my birthday and want to go on to get my commercial pilots license. I lost my brother last year in a plane crash and he had soloed in the same J-3 nine years earlier.”

My 1st Solo

“I love flying taildraggers and would love to have a Stearman some day. We have lots of pilots in our family WingsAndRods.com . Masie Veal”

It’s amazing how much fun you can have in 22 seconds! Check out Masie learning to fly a Cub.

I’m not sure who looks happier, grandpa, Masie or dad!

1st solo; grandfather Bob Veal, Masie Veal & instructor and dad Jeff Veal

From the Red Bluff Daily News; “My brother was 16 when he soloed in the same plane,” Masie Veal said. “When I saw that, I just really wanted to do that, too.”

Scott Veal had planned on watching his sister perform her solo, but he died Sept. 2, 2011 in a mid-air plane crash in Alaska.

“In the last conversation I had with her brother, he was excited about her flying,” their father Jeff Veal said. “He had wanted to be here to see her fly.”

Just 19 days after Scott’s passing, their mother, Lorry Veal, died of an undetermined natural cause.

After her mother passed away, there was a moment when they had to re-evaluate the possibility of performing the flight, Jeff Veal said.

It was not that Masie wanted to give up, but it was more about the time frame of getting it done on her birthday.

“We wondered if it was going to be hard to get back on the plane, but it really became a healing process for us,” he said.

Jeff Veal, a pilot for the state Department of Fish and Game and a flight instructor, taught both his children how to fly.

He learned it from his father.

“It’s fun and neat to have that connection,” Jeff said. “It’s a common ground that we have.”

Jeff, Bob and Scott all worked on restoring the vintage 1947 Piper J-3 Cub that Masie and her brother soloed in. She also wore the same leather jacket that Scott wore when he soloed.

“Even though I really wanted to do it, that added some sentimental value,” Masie said.

More at Red Bluff Daily News Article by Tang Lor

Abbie Parsons is based at (5D6) Parsons Airport, Carrollton, Ohio, is 16 years old and just soloed!! Abbie lives on the family airport and her dad, uncle, grandfather & sister all fly.

1st Solo!

A happy Abbie Parsons soloing in the family's 1946 Cessna 140

Yea! First solo at barely 16 yrs. old.

-

“Thanks,

David (dad) & Abbie Parsons”

Sydney Barnes is based at 4TN3, Hawks Nest Airport, Moscow, Tennessee.

The yellow SGS 1-26 with the lightning stripe is my current glider and I am very proud of it. Its name is Lightning.

Hi! I have wanted to learn to fly since about age 6. This is also when I decided I would enter the Air Force after college. Since then, I have only slightly modified my decision: I decided on the Navy and the United States Naval Academy when I was eight.

The guy wearing the black shirt and jeans is my Grandpa, Edgar Holmes. The day these pictures were taken also happened to be the first day he ever got to watch me fly. He thought it was just about the coolest thing he had ever seen. Between you and I, I was showing off a bit just for him.

My flight instructors, Jimbob Slocum and Steve Vihlen, recommended  that I register on this site, and when I got on the website, I practically drooled! I am in awe of all of these people interested in flying just like me. I am currently learning to fly a Schweizer 1-26 factory model glider. I soloed in a Schweizer 2-22E.

The Bird Dog is our tow plane, owned by Steve Vihlen, one of my instructors.

Soon I plan to begin my training as a powered-plane pilot! I am the kind of person that I will always try something at least once.  My dad used to be in the Navy, and he worked in the Pentagon for about 10 years. I am the first (for a couple generations, at least) in my family to aspire to be a pilot.

1st Solo (with instructor Jimbob Slocum)

My older sister got jealous that I was doing something and she wasn’t, so she followed me into the air recently. Someday, I want to be just like Jimbob, and own/build my own planes. But I don’t think I will ever be a teacher. Trust me when I say, I would end up strangling one. My dream career: I want to fly the spaceship that lands on Krypton! Well, kind of. I want to be an astronaut.

The white SGU1-22E is called Bunny and it is the glider in which I was trained, as well as the plane I soloed.

-

-

I am so glad that I could show you a little bit of my experiences in the aviation world.

Sydney Barnes

Here’s a fun little video of a woman student pilot soloing in an American Legend Cub. “Thanks” to Bruce Bohannan for sending in. Check out her nice landing; I’ve seen old pros who couldn’t get one down this well. Congratulations Gina! Be sure and register on LadiesLoveTaildraggers – you’re one of us now!!

From Bruce; “This is Gina’s first solo landing. Gina is a new student here at Flyin’ Tiger Flying School.”

Bruce Bohannan
http://flyintiger.net/6301.html

Elizabeth Reese is based at KGJT, Grand Junction Regional Airport, Grand Junction, Colorado.

First Solo, and it was in a Luscombe! Elizabeth with Luscombe owner and instructor Phillip Winfrey.

I was born in 1976 and grew up in North Carolina. I moved to Colorado in 2001 and bounced around a bit until December, 2005 when I moved back to Colorado to stay. My husband has been a private pilot since he was in high school, and he motivated me to learn to fly after he flew us from Colorado to Montana for our honeymoon in 2008.

1941 Piper J4E, NC40988. The Piper J4 is know as the" J4 Cub Coupe" side by side 2 place. A very rare bird indeed. They were built from 1939 to 1941, just three years,the consensus is that fewer that 150 are still airworthy.

I am currently a student pilot, and I started my flight training in June, 2011 in a Luscombe. I soloed the Luscombe in September. My husband and I own a 1941 J4 Cub which has been in his family since 1958, and I just soloed in the Cub today, February 12, 2012!

I am looking forward to completing my training in the Cub, and my husband and I are excited about our plan to go to Osh Kosh (for the first time ever) this year for the 75th anniversary of the Piper Cub. Hope to see you there!!!

Elizabeth & Travis Reese

Elizabeth Reese

To Gayle,

I am in awe of your passion and determination to learn to fly IN A TAILDRAGGER…. nothing else, no way, no how…. only a TAILDRAGGER would do! You have my ultimate respect for turning your dream into a reality. Congratulations on your 1st solo and all my best to you as you build hours and get that long awaited PPL.  Judy

Gayle Crowder

I live in Madison, NC and my home airport is Shiloh (KSIF) Rockingham County Airport. In October 2010 I met a 1941 Taylorcraft taildragger and went on my first General Aviation airplane ride. I was instantly and irrevocably in love! My lifelong endearment with airplanes and my fascination with history and antiques immediately overlapped when I met that Taylorcraft. I never knew “regular people” could own and fly an airplane. What an awakening! I knew I had to fly….and I knew I had to learn in a taildragger. Nothing else would suit me. Thus began my aviation journey.

THE T-craft!

I wanted to make sure I could pass the FAA written exam before I spent money on flying lessons. I started by taking online courses offered free through AOPA, then attended a 2-day ground school class. Two days later, I passed the written on the first try with a score of 93. I was ecstatic…passing that exam meant it was time to learn the “fun stuff”.

First solo takeoff. Never felt so great in my life as when my wheels lifted off the runway and I knew it was all up to me!

Months went by as I searched in vain for a CFI who could take me start to finish in a tailwheel aircraft. I joined LadiesLoveTaildraggers.com (LLT) and met some wonderful people, who introduced me to more people, all of whom began scouring the state and, indeed, the entire East Coast, trying to find that elusive Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). We had no luck at all.  Because of people I met through LLT, I joined the Vintage Aircraft Association (VAA)  and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). I went to the VAA Chapter 3 Spring Fly-In and was introduced to a fellow who owned a 1947 Aeronca L-16A. We were each planning to attend an airplane poker run a couple of weeks later. He was going to be there giving short flight lessons and said he’d take me up and let me “have at it.” He was true to his word, and it was wonderful! I loved that L-16A and I wanted to learn to fly in it so much I could hardly stand it. And his plane happened to be hangared at the airport right by my house. It couldn’t have been more perfect…

-

I waited, waited, finally got my first logbook hour after flying a shiny new Liberty XL-2 and felt like a traitor to my own cause. I
decided not to give up on getting my tailwheel flight instructor. There were insurance issues to work out regarding a student pilot
flying a tailwheel aircraft at the point of solo. So, I continued to wait and wish and hope, and my frustration level was off the chart.
Then…I received an email from the L-16A CFI saying he had it all worked out and I could fly his plane from start of training to finish.
That was a wonderful day! I was, at last, on my way to learning to fly “the old way.”  That email was better than any gift I have ever
received.

After 1st Solo!!

And thus my long, aimless journey finally had a destination. Flying lessons commenced and I was forever changed. My CFI is just awesome and has more patience than I knew a person could possess. We’ve had to battle bad weather, conflicting schedules, annual inspections, etc. and just fly when we have the opportunity. I am on top of the world now…..on December 14, 2011, I did my first solo flight, 3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop in the L-16A taildragger, a dream come true.  It was a real boost to my confidence and I can’t wait to climb back into that lovely yellow plane next week and continue on this amazing journey.

Gayle Crowder

All those who have soloed, and those who anxiously await the memorable day, will enjoy reading Barbara Kirmsse’s 1st solo account. Thanks Barbara for all the wonderful pictures and description of your 1st solo flight!!

Tail Up and Ready to Take Off

December 7th has a new meaning to me as well as reminding me of the enormous impact that the bombing of Pearl Harbor had on our nation! 12-7-11 is the day of my very first solo flight! This day can never be duplicated. Making it even sweeter is the fact that I soloed in a tail dragger…..an Aeronca Champ 7GC!

Lifting into Solo Flight for the 1st Time!

When I woke up on the morning of December 7th to sunshine and little wind….I knew this was the day! I was so excited and full of anticipation……and so ready! I wanted to do this. My instructor, Walt, met me at Flabob Airport at 11:00 A.M. With Walt in the back seat, I warmed up with five pretty nice take offs and landings. The time had come….Walt gave me one last instruction……..let him off at the end of the runway and to “HAVE FUN!”

Walt, Are You Back There?

When he exited the Champ and closed the door it was so quiet I could hear my own heart pounding! It was then that I realized that I wasn’t alone…that God was my copilot and Walt had thoroughly prepared me for this moment. I calmed down and concentrated on the task at hand. My Bill was there at the airport but tried to stay hidden so I wouldn’t be distracted. Are you kidding!!?!?!!…..I saw his truck behind those airplanes!!!! I was so happy he was there and….I was focused!!! The scene was set! ……Lights, Camera, Action!

Way Up High, Up In The Sky!

I announced “Flabob Traffic, Champ 9872Yanky, Departing Runway 24, Student Pilot…first solo flight, Flabob Traffic”!!!! Then I was on my way rolling down the runway, dancing on the rudders, rotating into solo flight. What an exhilarating feeling as the wind caught my wings and lifted my little Champ into the air! Everything went extremely well and as planned. I was amazed at the courtesy and encouragement the other pilots in the area gave me during my three solo take offs and landings. “Take your time, Champ” and “Whew Who” were some of the in flight acknowledgements.

First Solo Landing

It was on my way home from the airport that day that I called my dad and mom. They intuitively knew by the tone of my “Hello” that I had successfully accomplished my first solo! They were so excited and happy for me….gushing with loving congratulations! I had to laugh when I remembered the day I told my mom that I was almost ready to solo. She immediately said… “Well, your instructor will still be in the back seat, won’t he?” She wasn’t too happy with my answer!

Aaaah!!! The Autographed Tee Shirt!

My day was even more special due to the support of all my airport buddies who were there to take pictures and to cheer me on! They all helped to make this one of my most memorable days ever!

Barbara Kirsmme

1st Solo!! Congratulations to Carla Kalke! Here’s a new update….

Carla's first solo

“Carla soloed the Citabria last night..there are 18 flight instructors in her school but only one is approved to teach in a tail wheel. Her Instructor announced to the group that it was OK for Carla to swagger a bit because she was capable of doing something that they were not, followed by a look over his glasses…LOL  Cheers, Robert Cardinal”

Carla & her instructor, Bob Salway.

——-

The following posted August 24, 2011

Carla Kalke is based at Abbotsford International Airport (YXX), Abbotsford, British Columbia.

Carla Kalke

Hi There,

I’m a half owner of an Acrosport 2 biplane. I started my flight training this spring and I am training in an early Citabria. I have also flown the 7AC Champ. My favorite is flying the Acrosport 2. I like the extra power and the climb as well as the control sensitivity. I have put in quite a bit of time flying the Acrosport but I have not soloed it yet. I’m fine right now on takeoffs but I have to work on the landings a bit more but that will happen, its just a lot quicker on the controls than the Citabria and a lot more fun to fly.

-

My husband and I flew it back form Oklahoma this spring and it was a cold trip with over 2500 miles in that open cockpit, especially going through the mountains with outside temps well below zero.

Sheepskin helmets and face covers help but the outside temp is well below zero

*

Flying thru the mountains in open cockpit in March

I’m really excited about getting my license and learning some basic aerobatics.

-

Carla Kalke

Good news, a 1st solo in a Supercub! Fellow lady taildragger Neroli Henwood sent this message and pictures to share about a 1st solo by someone very dear to her –  her daughter Olivia!

“Just thought I would share a photo and update with you and the taildragger ladies.”

“A couple of days ago my husband Bill, sent our daughter Olivia (19) off on her first Solo flight in our Supercub. It was a very exciting morning. I had an idea it may be the special day, so decide to take the camera along and get some pics. She hadn’t flown for a few weeks so wasn’t expecting it on the day, but she flew so well that Dad sent her off. I must admit to feeling a little sick when she flew past and I realized she was on her own. Much more nervous than when I soloed myself! She really enjoyed it and I have attached a photo of  her solo ‘touchdown’ and I was delighted to see in the photo that she had a big smile on her face.”

“I realize that you northern hemisphere ladies are in the grips of winter, so hope that you get some opportunities to go for a blast and lift the winter blues ): ”

“Wishing you blue skies & tailwinds,”

Neroli Henwood

Congratulations to  Shannon Gallagher of Hohenwald, TN, 0M3 Baker Field, who’s learning to fly in a 1940 Taylorcraft, BC65.  The big news – she just soloed!! We’re proud of you, Shannon!!

“Just got back from the airport a bit ago and it went great.  The guys took about 200 pics.  My three landings for the solo were just nice as they could be and everything went off without a hitch.  I now have a solo and a tailwheel endorsement!  Attached are just a few of  the photos.”

*

*

*

*