Nancy Bird Walton dies at 93

[John R]

As reported on news.com.au


AUSTRALIAN aviation pioneer Nancy Bird Walton has died at her Sydney home, aged 93.
Named a Living National Treasure by the National Trust of Australia in 1997, Ms Walton died from natural causes about 2pm (AEDT) on Tuesday at Mosman on Sydney's north shore.

Ms Walton was 17 when she learned to fly in 1933, taught by Charles Kingsford Smith.

Two years later she became the first woman in Australia to obtain her commercial pilot's license.

Ms Walton went on to pioneer an air ambulance service for outback New South Wales.


In October last year, she attended the inaugural Australian landing of Qantas' first super passenger jet the A380, named the Nancy Bird Walton in her honour.

"I was asked if Qantas could name this plane after me at my 90th birthday three years ago and I made it my decision to stay alive," she said at the ceremony in Sydney.

She was also Commandant of the Women's Air Training Corps from 1940-45, the founder and longtime president of the Australian Women's Pilot Association and Emeritus Patron of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Awarded an OBE in 1966, Ms Walton became a Dame of the Knights of Malta in 1977 and in 1990 was awarded an AO by the Australian government.

Ms Walton is survived by her daughter, Anne Marie, her son John, her grandchildren, Scott, Anna, Paul and Baron, and by her two great-grand children Lachlan and Zoe.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24907865-29277,00.html


RIP Nancy, you ran a good race and made many Australians proud,

[Sarmad Al-Khozaie]

Aviation pioneer Nancy Bird Walton dies


Australia's pioneering woman pilot, Nancy-Bird Walton, has died aged 93.

She died from natural causes about 2pm today at Mosman on Sydney's north shore.

After learning to fly at 17 in the 1930s, she was still a teenager when she operated an air ambulance service in outback NSW.

It meant landing in paddocks and on unsealed roads.

She was the first pupil of aviation great Charles Kingsford Smith when he founded a flying school in 1933.

But she was so short she needed two cushions to see out of the cockpit and reach the foot pedals.

The first woman to gain a commercial pilot's licence in Australia, she was named a Living National Treasure in 1997 .

Qantas named its first A380 super jumbo after Ms Walton.


http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/aviation-pioneer-nancybird-walton-dies-at-93/2009/01/13/1231608691796.html

[damien b]

A sad day indeed for aviation and Australia. May her name and efforts in aviation live on for many generations to come.

Rest in Peace Nancy - you are now free to fly forever.

[NickN]

Such a great shame a great loss. I am glad she survived to see her name on the side of the A380, that would have been a very huge honour for her.

My condolences to her family.

[Mario Facchini]

Rest in Peace Nancy - you are now free to fly forever.


Amen !

[Sarah C]

RIP Nancy - I am currently reading her biography and I am still amazed at what she has achieved. She said she would stay alive to see the A380 with her name on it - I am glad she managed to get there. She is truly an inspiration and someone that inspires me to love aviation so much.

[NigelP]

Just heard on the new...

Nancy passed away earlier today.

Thoughts and condolences to all of her family.

[Nigel C]

Having met Nancy-Bird Walton a few years ago (and even having her come around to my house thanks to Timmsy, who was giving me a lift home before dropping Nancy-Bird to her hotel), I can only say Australia has lost an absolute icon, not just for the aviation community, but for the country as a whole.

An amazing woman who lived an amazing life.
RIP Nancy-Bird Walton.

[Paul Hunter]

I concur with all the above sentiments.

I was lucky enough to meet her on a few occassions whilst walking down the streets in Mosman and Neutral Bay.

Always liked a chat about all things aviation.

RIP Nancy.

Regards.

[Grahame Hutchison]

A photograph to treasure.

I felt very sad to hear of the passing of Nancy Bird Walton, a truly great Australian aviator. She was genuine and charming to talk, my thoughts are with Nancy's family.

Hopefully QF A380 OQA lives up to Nancy's reputation, and keeps all she achieved in our minds.

http://www.16right.com/MessageBoard/Nancy Bird Walton.jpg

[NickN]

Fantastic photo Graham, definately something to treasure.

[Jamie D]

RIP Nancy, What a marvellous life you had, may your memories and achievements live on everytime OQA takes to the sky

[Joseph Saragozza.]

Rest In Peace Nancy.
my condolences, sympathy and prayers to her family and friends.


deferentially a photograph to treasure Grahame.

[Craig Murray]

An unfortunate loss indeed. Condolences to the family.

This quote says it all:

"Qantas first asked if they could name this magnificent plane after me at my 90th birthday three years ago and I made it my decision to stay alive for today's ceremony ... and I've made it,"

[Philip Argy]

Here's the latest collection of fitting tributes from ABC News Online:



Tributes flow for aviation 'trailblazer' Bird Walton

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200901/r330068_1487166.jpg (http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200901/r330068_1487162.jpg)
Tributes have poured in from around the country for one of Australia's most famous aviators, Nancy Bird Walton, who died today aged 93.

Meanwhile, her family has accepted New South Wales Premier Nathan Rees's offer of a state funeral for the aviation pioneer, but a date has not been set yet.
Bird Walton is being remembered as a headstrong and vivacious Australian, and an inspiration to women.
Qantas chief Alan Joyce last saw her in October, and said she leaves a huge legacy.
"Her history of achievements for Australian aviation is a very long one," he said.
"She was absolutely an amazing character. She was always full of life, full of enthusiasm. Her zest for aviation was something that was very clear for everyone to see."
Mr Joyce called Bird Walton a "great pioneer" and a "trailblazer".
"That's something we'll greatly miss," he said.
"She contributed a significant amount to aviation in Australia.
"She's been an inspiration to so many aviators. Qantas sends its condolences to her family, to her friends."
Bird Walton's 82-year old brother Raymond Bird lives at Cooktown in far north Queensland, and says she had a very good flying instructor.
"[Sir Charles] Kingsford Smith taught her to fly and Smithy was a personal friend of hers," he said.
"But she did a lot of outback flying in her young career.
"When she was 18, 19 and 20 she would take a doctor or a nurse to various outstations to treat patients or even fly patients to hospital."
Ms Bird Walton later started an air ambulance service for outback New South Wales and headed the Women's Air Training Corps during World War II.

Govt tributes


Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard says Bird Walton dispelled the myth that flying was a "bloke's job".
Ms Gillard said she was, and would remain, a national icon who inspired generations of women.
"Nancy Bird led the way for women pilots. Ever since her first flight, she helped dispel the myth that flying is solely a man's domain," she said in a statement.
"Nancy Bird's achievements ... have inspired generations of women to forge careers in the aviation industry and reach for the skies in all walks of life."
Nationals leader Warren Truss also paid tribute to Ms Walton.
"She took great pride in seeing the success and acceptance of women in aviation," he said.
"Nancy Bird Walton was an extraordinary pilot, adventurer, businesswoman and humanitarian, and the nation is poorer for her loss."lped dispel the myth that flying is solely a man's domain," she said in a statement.
"Nancy Bird's achievements ... have inspired generations of women to forge careers in the aviation industry and reach for the skies in all walks of life."
Nationals leader Warren Truss also paid tribute to Ms Walton.
"She took great pride in seeing the success and acceptance of women in aviation," he said.
"Nancy Bird Walton was an extraordinary pilot, adventurer, businesswoman and humanitarian, and the nation is poorer for her loss."

[Dan Hammond]

Such a sad day in Aviation in Australia, She made it to the naming ceremony which is what she wanted which was great!

[Robert Zweck]

What a wonderful and eloquent Lady, had the pleasure of meeting her at Parafield in 1996, she was part of the crew of the Lockheed 12 VH-UZO in the Ansett Air Race.

An absolute honour to have spent 10 minutes of my life with her!

She is probably the last link we have with the Sir Charles Kingsford Smith era.

One of Australia's true icons and I am glad she lived to see the A380 named in her honour.

[Ben Thiele]

My father took a joy-flight with her in country NSW back in the 30's, all he remembers was it was a bi-plane and they were chasing wildlife, geese he thinks, (he was in his mid-teens at the time).

He had a book on Charles Kingsford Smith which she inscribed for him, when they met again in 1988.

"To Ben,
A brave man who flew with me,
Best wishes Nancy-Bird 1988"

This book is now in my treasured possession.

A great woman and a great life.

Thanks NB

[Bernie P]

My father took a joy-flight with her in country NSW back in the 30's, all he remembers was it was a bi-plane and they were chasing wildlife, geese he thinks, (he was in his mid-teens at the time).

He had a book on Charles Kingsford Smith which she inscribed for him, when they met again in 1988.

"To Ben,
A brave man who flew with me,
Best wishes Nancy-Bird 1988"

This book is now in my treasured possession.

A great woman and a great life.

Thanks NB

That would have to be somewhat priceless for you to have...

So sad to farewell a pioneering aviator... Gone, but never forgotten...

[Cliff Cook]

We were sad to hear Nancy Bird Walton passed away and our condolences to her family. R I P for Nancy.

Regards from

Cliff and Diana Cook

[Joseph Saragozza.]

Qantas has posted a tribute to Nancy-Bird Walton

http://www.qantasmedia.com.au/featured_article/viewArticle/5

[Mario Facchini]

Airbus have also paid tribute to Nancy

Airbus tribute (http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/09_01_14_nancy-bird_walton_tribute.html)

[Ash W]

Qantas has posted a tribute to Nancy-Bird Walton

http://www.qantasmedia.com.au/featured_article/viewArticle/5

Qantas posted that when the their first A380 was named after her (look at the date!)

[Joseph Saragozza.]

Qantas posted that when the their first A380 was named after her (look at the date!)

opps wrong one.

http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/au/publicaffairs/details?ArticleID=2009/jan09/3872

[Malcolm Parker]

I Heard VH-OQA as named after her was going to do a fly past over the harbour today to show respect . Can that the powers at be confirm that. Fitting send off if that is the case.

[Nigel C]

Malcolm, might I suggest you have a squiz at this thread? http://yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=2297

[Robert Zweck]

There is an excellent article about Nancy in the April, 2009 edition of "Todays Pilot " a UK magazine.

A lot of photos I have not seen before