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

Stephanie Deckro is based at KSQI, Whiteside County Airport, Rockfalls, Illinois.

Stephanie Deckro

My day job is interior design and have owned my own design business since 1993.  I always wanted to learn how to fly. So in 2005 I signed up for the ground class at the local community college.  I started flying in a Piper Warrior and received my private pilots certificate later that year.

I completed my instrument rating in 2008. Then in 2011 I was given a ride in a Piper Cub. It was such a thrill!  I love the freedom of flying and the taildragger seemed to bring that freedom to a new level.

Later that year I was endorsed in that Piper Cub. Since then I have enjoyed flying in a Super Cub, Cessna 140, Cessna 185, Cessna 195, T6 SNJ-5 (Texan) and deHaviland Beaver (DHC-2).

I really enjoy landing on grass strips and the watching the beautiful sunsets from the sky.  Now I’m flying a Cessna 140 and loving it!

Stephanie Deckro

Illinois

Jennifer Peña is based at 3TE8, C Fulcher Ranch Airport, Terlingua/Alpine, Texas.

A rare opportunity, I am flying with my instructor in his open cockpit Pietenpol

I’m a 45 year old schoolmarm in Terlingua, Texas. I have always had a fascination with flying and knew that someday I wanted to become a pilot. Before moving to west Texas it seemed there was never enough time or money to tackle my dream. Over dinner one evening about 3 years ago, I told my pilot friend that he needed to get his CFI certification so he could teach me to fly. Much to my surprise he informed me that he already WAS a CFI, and we needed to get started.

My instructor cuts my shirttail after I solo in his Luscombe

So it began and ended up being a two year process as I had time and money to fly. My first 20 hours were in a 1947 Luscombe 8A. I struggled and struggled with landings. When I went to take my written test, the airport manager asked what I was flying and seemed impressed when I told him. He informed me that taildraggers were harder to land. All that time, I just thought I was a slow learner.

The Pietenpol with the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park in the background gives an idea of the area I fly in. I'm the luckiest girl!

I am currently part owner of a Cessna 172, but my heart still belongs to the Luscombe (even though it belongs to another). What a beauty! I have been lucky enough to fly several other taildraggers including a Piper Cub and an open cockpit Pietenpol belonging to my instructor friend.

My first lesson was in the Piper Cub

The majority of my training took place out of a little one way dirt strip in the mountainous Big Bend Country of Texas. As I got close to finishing up my training, my instructor referred me to Jean O’Cuilinn, a CFI in a nearby town, who helped me polish up my maneuvers for my check ride. Jean and I have become good friends and I am going to get a chance to fly with her in her awesome Super Decathlon soon (And will be coming to the Savannah, Tennessee LLT Fly-In in it). I have met so many interesting people and had so much fun with flying. I still can’t believe how everything fell into place, especially since I live in such a small town.

Beth Ellis is based at 2B6, Hollister Field Airport, Wilmington, Ohio.

I am a student pilot–so very close to getting my PPL! I started flying in a J3 Cub but transitioned to a C150 to work on my private. My husband got me started by buying a gift certificate to Red Stewart Field, Waynesville Ohio, 40I. He has his PPL and wanted me to try it thinking it would be nice to have another pilot around. I had never even considered it to be an option.

Beth Ellis

Kind of a “guys world” or so it seemed. After my first lesson, I was hooked. I read everything I could get my hands on about it! We have a grass strip- Hollister Field 2b6-and hangar on our farm and all I could see was the possibilities!!!

2B6 Hollister Field

My husband had never flown a taildragger and actually seemed surprised that I did so well in one. And the look of surprise on the fella’s around when I soloed the Cub–definitely priceless! Made me realize that its not a “guys world” and I can have a place in it. We have a C172, but I think that its my husbands plane…I’m gonna have to drag a tail around–so someday I’ll have to get my own taildragger! What a year I have had: A career change–from the Medical Field to the Farm Field and from land-locked to taking off like a homesick angel!! For a chic pushing 40–not too bad!

I’m excited to discover the world of aviation and can’t wait to find more women (and friends) like me! Looking forward to the future, learning about aviation and to exploring the sky.

My experience at Waynesville 40I has just been wonderful. They have all treated me like family.  Emerson Stewart and Dave Buchanan have really made my time in the J3 and C150 a fantastic experience. I have enjoyed every aspect of my training. I have gotten the best of both instructors! Many thanks to them for giving me wings! And to my husband (and kids!) for the fantastic idea and support! I scheduled my check ride in 2 weeks. I’m excited and nervous.

By the way, drop in to Hollister Field-2B6 anytime! It always feels like Christmas morning when I hear an engine power back on downwind! Can’t wait to see who is stopping in!

Beth Ellis

Cherrybend Pheasant Farm

Janet Piper is based at Sumner County Regional Airport, Gallatin, Tennessee.

NC33453 on final at M54 (Lebanon, TN)

I am a pilot in training.  Working on my license in my 1967 Cessna 150, but looking forward to my taildragger endorsement so I can fly our 1940 Piper J-3 Cub.

Piper Cub NC33453

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Angela Leedy is based at 12N, Aeroflex-Andover Airport, Andover, New Jersey.

Pre-solo in a J3

I am currently a student pilot learning to fly in a Piper J3. I  fly with one of the best Tailwheel instructors in the country, Mr. Damian DelGaizo from Andover Flight Academy.

Aeroflex-Andover Airport

He has been the most positive influence in all my training so far. He somehow manages to work through all my difficulties applying analogies so fitted to my personality that I am amazed at every flight we endeavor. Only a genuine caring instructor could pull that off. I am looking into buying his Top Cub which I hope to happen very soon as I also want to do my check ride in the Cub.

Me and Ariel Tweto from Flying Wild Alaska at Oshkosh 2011

Emilie Phillips is based at Brookline Airport, Brookline, New Hampshire.

Emilie Phillips

I am a student pilot learning to fly in a Cherokee and a Cub. I have my taildragger sign off, and so far the most fun airplane I have flown is my instructor’s Maule.

Me flying the Cub from the back seat with my instructor up front.

Outside of flying, I am a software engineer, a backcountry ski instructor (x-c and Telemark), an avid sea kayaker (BCU 3*) and kayak surfer. When I can fit it in, I go rock climbing and hiking too.

Brookline Airport NH

Emilie Phillips

Meredith Tcherniavsky is based at Fallston Airport, W42, Fallston, Maryland.

Me with our airplane - N1938C Purchase

My husband and I just bought a 1938 J-3 Cub. We’re both flight instructors, but now I’m the student as he teaches me how to fly the Cub! I’ve been following your site for a while and am looking forward to being part of your community. Thanks!

Meredith Tcherniavsky, CFI-IA

Pat Ohlsson is based at 7FL6, Spruce Creek Airport, Dayton, Florida.

Pat & N30937, her newly purchased 1940 J-3 Cub

I started flying in 1974 at Islip Airport, Long Island, New York. Since that time I have had a great time flying and over the years earned Commercial SEL, SES, (Instrument) MEL, (Instrument) Glider, Instructors license and ground instructor. Also ground school for DC8 flight engineer. Passed with a 98%, higher than a friend of mine who worked for Pan American World Airlines for years, and always a personal joke between us, getting a score 11 more than him.

December 28, 2011

I am a Life Member of the 99s International Organization of Women Pilots since 1976 and was awarded the Amelia Earhart Scholarship for my Multi Engine rating in 1983.

Lynn O'Donnell signing my log book. Lynn was loads of fun to fly with and in that short time we had many a laugh.

Recently purchased a 1940 J-3 Cub and my friend Lynn O’Donnell signed me off on my tailwheel endorsement in N30937. Lynn taught in J-3′s at Williamsport, Pa where the Cubs were manufactured and recently retired from United Airlines as a 767 Captain.

Pat and Lynn O’Donnell celebrating her solo in N30937, J-3 Cub

I’ve owned a 1976 Grumman Tiger, N74359, since February 9,1979 (only owned by a woman).

Now my Tiger has a Cub!

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Currently I am in real estate sales at the Premier Residential Airpark, Spruce Creek Fly-In, Daytona Beach, Florida (east coast of Florida) with Spruce Creek Fly-In Realty. Would love to share information about where we are or just take a look at http://www.fly-in.com/ for the fun of it. Where can you sit or show property as airplanes taxi by your window as you work.

December 28, 2011

I would love to share experiences with other Lady Taildragger Pilots. We are so fortunate to be able to fly.

Pat & Skybolt

The very best to all.

Pat Ohlsson