Macedon Ranges author Kathy Mexted has penned a riveting salute to women who refused to keep their feet on the ground.
From pioneering and outback flights to delivering Spitfires or tackling the jungles of New Guinea, Australian Women Pilots tells of 10 Australians with extraordinary stories, packed with drama, adventure and sometimes heartbreak.
Women have been flying since the early days of aviation but, with a few notable exceptions, they have rarely been visible or well known.
Mexted shares the feats of trailblazers like Nancy Bird Walton, Deborah Wardley, who was told by Ansett that women couldn’t be pilots, and Gaby Kennard, the first Australian woman to fly solo around the world. Others are less known but their stories are just as extraordinary – pilots involved with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Britain’s Air Transport Auxiliary, the RAAF, aerial agriculture or long-range ferrying.
Mexted is a writer, photographer and editor of Airsport magazine. She learned to fly 30 years ago and flies light planes from her farm.
Australian Women Pilots was released November 1. The book will be available locally from New Leaves, Aesop Attic and Red Door Books.
