Originally Posted by
AirBear
When I took my Private Pilot checkride in 1976 my CFI told me I'd have a female examiner. I didn't care about that, I was just worried about the checkride. I had not formed a mental image of what to expect.
When I got to the FBO at Craig Field (CRG) this little old lady came out of the office and introduced herself. Total surprise. Passed the checkride OK and afterwards I was talking to her.
She had been a Woman's Air Service Pilot (WASP) in WW2. She had flown most types of bombers and fighters across the Atlantic. The WASP were not allowed to tell the public that they flew military planes because it was feared the public would think the USA was desperate LOL. It wasn't until late in the war that rule was lifted. Now get this: this really cool lady had FIFTY THOUSAND HOURS OF FLYING TIME
Her initials were P.G., I think it was Shields Aviation at CRG if I remember correctly.
What a great experience!! I have a very similar memory. Back in about 1982, I was flying night checks in Chieftains and BE-99s, lived near GEG and there was this little airport in Athol, ID, were a classy lady in her late 70's taught in gliders...
Her name was Gladys, cant decipher her last name from my logbook endorsement. Her story was same as above, taught pilots in WWII. She was a great lady, very "grandmotherly", but technically very capable. Had something like 28000 hours.
This story is more about her than me, no hilarious or extravagant punch line. Showed up there one Saturday, because I was interested in gliders, she said: "lets Go!" Took me up in a Blahnik (sp) two seater once around the patch, said OK...and soloed me. Then she said:"this endorsement is only good if you go right back up ... while she pointed at a Schweitzer single seater ... Anyway, I did and returned for many pleasurable weekend experiences.
Then they built the Silverwood amusement park over the airport ... Never did get a rating... but really regret not keeping in touch with Gladys.
Fast forward 30+ years and I'm looking at my CFIIME that expired in 84, thinking about adding a glider CFI, as I understand it would "reactivate" all my CFI ratings?? Maybe give me something to do in retirement??