LadiesLoveTaildraggers

Nancy Warren is based at KBAK, Columbus Municipal Airport, Columbus, Indiana.

Nancy Warren, DC-3

Many years ago I was checked out in a Citabria, 7-ECA (part-owner), also flew right seat in DC-3s and Beech 18s, currently fly a Cessna Cardinal 177.

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Nancy Warren & friend, Rusty Richards with Rusty's Cessna 195

I was a member of the 99s for 25 years, currently member of the United Flying Octogenarians (UFO), serve on its Board of Directors and as Area Director for the State of Indiana. I also write a monthly column (WOMEN IN THE SKIES) for www.aircraftowneronline.com.

Nancy Warren

Good news! This beautiful C195 will be at our Lady Taildraggers flyin and Nancy & Rusty will be in it!  Be sure and check out the upcoming February issue of www.aircraftowneronline.com. Nancy was so excited about our organization she suggested writing an article about LLT to her editor. It’ll be on-line soon!  Judy

New pictures from Tia!!

Tia Robertson is based at 5GA4, Air Acres Airport, Woodstock, Georgia.

Last spring my husband and I went to Winterhaven, FL to get a seaplane rating. It was so much fun!!!!! Now we are hooked and are talking about getting something of our own on floats.

I earned my private pilot license in a Luscombe 8E March 8th 1981. A few days later the Luscombe and I were on our way to the Sun-N-Fun Fly-in! I continued to build time and add an instrument & multi-engine rating, commercial, CFI and a few years later was flying Jetstreams for a commuter in Atlanta. A few more years and hours and I was hired by Eastern Airlines.

I’ve got my head down checking a few last minute things before the maiden voyage after some major restoration. It now has an 85 HP Continental and a wind driven alternator. It is so nice to have radios and a starter! We finished painting the grey stripes a few weeks later.

I went out on strike in 1989 and was later hired by United Airlines where I progressed from the engineers seat of a 727 to the right seat of a 737-200 then 757 and 767. In 2001 I took an early retirement to spend more time with my young family. I was a 737-500 Captain at the time. My husband and I have a Cessna 195 that we have had for 16 years and a Taylorcraft that has been with us for 29 years.

A friend took this picture of me leaving a beautiful flying community southeast of ATL

I love taildraggers because they just feel right! I wish I could make it up to the Dayton Fly-in but my youngest will be going off to college next week and I have much to do!

My husband Phillip and I with our 195 and Taylorcraft. After many years of making do with the limited amount of camping gear I could get in the Luscombe or Taylorcraft it sure is nice to have the extra space!

Tia Robertson

My husband bought a Fat Bob on Craig’s List in Jacksonville, FL so I flew him down to pick it up. It was a brisk winter day and he almost froze to death riding it home! Our son and his friend (pictured) flew home with me.

From Judy: I left a note on this beautiful 195 at Oshkosh after I heard a woman had flown it in. You know I’d give my eye teeth for a beautiful 195! When I heard it belonged to a woman it made my day.  OK, she shares it with her husband but all the better…. he’s got to be one happy guy. They’ve got a 195 and his wife loves to fly it!! Unfortunately, Tia left me a message they were heading out before I could meet her but she did register on Ladies Love Taildraggers. Thanks Tia!

Aileen Watkins is based at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport, (KDWH) Houston, Texas.

Aileen Watkins

I am definitely a taildragger girl and made my living early in my flying career as a taildragger pilot. When it was difficult to find a full-time flying job, my experience in conventional gear aircraft allowed me to fill a need at a couple of local flight schools where this skill was needed but hard to come by. As my client base grew, so did my opportunities.

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Having started my flying career flying aerobatics with my first competition at 83 hours total time, my passion for doing something out of the ordinary and that required stick-and-rudder skills allowed me to “make my bones” in the flying world. My enthusiasm for the sport, and for aviation, carried me through my financial shortcomings to keep me in the air.

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I don’t have a favorite taildragger, as I love them all, but the DC3, Pitts, Decathlon and Cub have very special places in my heart, and in my hands. They truly represent the romance of flying, and the kinship of the “ladies” that carry my heart though the sky.

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My first two instructors were ladies and mentors who were both very accomplished taildragger pilots. I thank them for instilling in me the qualities of safety, professionalism, and the want and need of striving for excellence in flying, and in delivering quality flight instruction. They truly believe in the “safety” attitude, and having fun doing what we love.

Here is a photo of my daughter Katalin's First Flight at age 5 weeks. It was also my hubby, Bob, and my 17th Wedding Anniversary. 1947 Cessna 195, taken on May 4, 2008

Some of the taildraggers I have flown: Cub, Pitts, Citabria, Decathlon, Taylorcraft, Extra, Sukhoi, Luscombe, Stearman, Bird, Great Lakes, Skybolt, Waco, Cessna 120/140/170/180/185/195, Maule, Husky, and the DC3.

Aileen Watkins

If you love Cabin Wacos…. Beech 18s…. Cessna 195s….. T6…… and flying for the fun of flying, sit back and enjoy the next few minutes!  Tina Thomas, thank  you!

Heather Gamble is based at Ramona Airport (KRNM), Ramona, California.

Here’s an update from Heather, and thanks, Heather, for sending in these beautiful shots of you and  your Cessna 195 – I’m in love!!! (Judy)

One fine looking 195 named “Dimples”!!  Great name for a fun taildragger.

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The following from June 2010 post

I am chair of the San Diego 99s and am really enjoying your website. What a great idea!!

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How about my Cessna 195!  Her name is “Dimples” and she is a beauty.  My husband mostly flys her….and I fly my 1973 Citabria 7ECA.  We are part of the Int’l 195 Club.

Gwen is based at O02 in Reno, Nevada and owns & flies a J3 Cub and a Cessna 195.

The above photo was just forwarded by Gwen and taken by her daughter on a recent visit to Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Looks like a beautiful 195 Gwen.  We’re delighted to see your “other love”! What else have you got stashed in that hangar?!?

I fly a J3 Cub and a 195 Cessna, love both.  My husband taught me to fly in 1953.  We shared our love of flying for 54 years, he passed  on 2 years ago.  I have private & instrument certifications.  I flew to Fredricksberg, TX fall of 2008, 23 hours in the 195 and it was wonderful!