Australian Women Pilots Association Conference 2023

My interview with author Kathy Mexted about her book Australian Women Pilots: Amazing True Stories of Women in the Air inspired me to travel to Australia to meet our sister pilots Down Under at their annual Australian Women Pilots Association Conference in March 2023. My son and I were warmly welcomed by members of AWPA in Mount Gambier where we had the chance to crew a plane in their Nav Trial and attended their fun space-themed costume banquet. We were privileged to hear Aminta Hennessey, the first Australian woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, speak about her aviation journey (fingers crossed for a book from her!) I also met children’s author Prue Mason, who generously offered me copies of her two aviation themed books, Amazing Australians in their Flying Machines and Birdie in the Sky, and compared notes with my fellow helo pilots on our experiences. Of course, I carried my copy of Kathy’s book and had the AWPA members all sign it as well. 

In our travels, my son and I also managed to sneak in a balloon flight on the Gold Coast and a helicopter tour of the Twelve Apostles. An incredible trip all around!