![Transcription Center logo](/themes/custom/tc_theme/assets/image/logo.png)
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
Local Flyer Tells Of Many Unique Experiences In Air by BOB TURNER Sitting behind a cluttered desk with a big smile is the way I found Mrs. Bryan. The rain had grounded her for the day. Her story begins fifteen years ago. While her husband was in the service, she found herself with extra time. He had learned to fly and suggested that she might like it. She tried it. Flying was so fascinating and enjoyable that she has almost spent as much time in the air as on the ground. Within two and a half years from her first lesson, Mrs. Bryan was giving instructions. Her total flight hours are 9,000 as of this month. FLIGHT SCHOOL As co-owner of the Morristown Flying Service, Mrs Bryan has taught 162 students to solo in thirteen years. At the present time, she is teaching approximately 30 students. Mrs. Bryan and her partner are proud of the fact that their instruction program is approved by the Federal Aviation Agency. Their flying service, which also includes chartering, moved to Murrell Field seven years ago from a small airport on the West side of Morristown. Three Piper Cubs and one Tri-pacer are owned by the Flying Service. UNIQUE EXPERIENCES Unique, but not the thing one likes, are the four forced landings she has had to make To Mrs. Bryan's credit it can be said that all of these landings have been successful, even though they were in corn fields. Probably her most unusual activity is being a member of the Whirly Girls Club. This club consists of 24 women who are licensed to fly helicopters. Not being satisfied, she is one of the five from this group who have their instructor's ratings. These ladies have a yearly meeting in Washington, D. C., which they call a "hovering." PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT She is authorized by the FAA as an examiner for private and commercial licenses. She has an instructor's rating from the FAA for single engine sea, multi-engine land, and rota-craft. Currently, Mrs. Bryan is working on her Airline Transport Rating. She expects to complete it this month. For this rating, which she describes as an advanced instrument rating, she has had to install some expensive equipment in her own plane. She holds the rank of major in the local Civil Air Patrol. Her active interest and serious concern for the CAP won her the Distinguished Service Award. FLYING AS A HOBBY With the same Tri-pacer that she is using now, Mrs. Bryan has flown in the women's Powder Puff Derby four times and in the International Race once. Although she has never won, she said that she has gained valuable experience from them. These races test a pilot's knowledge of his plane and theory. Starting from one coast, the women race for approximately five days to the opposite coast. It can easily be seen that varying weather conditions and endurance call for accurate flying and planning. JET FLYING Her most thrilling experience connected with flying lasted only an hour. During this hour she flew a T-33 jet fighter. She thinks there is nothing like jet flying. But when asked about getting one for herself she replied, "Too expensive." During that one hour I used 486 gallons of gas." This figures out to be something over $150.00. MURRELL FIELD Although Jefferson city is where she lives with her husband, who runs the College Cleaners, her flying home is Murrell Memorial Field. The field is located on highway 11E between Morristown and Jefferson City. She and her partner moved the flying service there when the field opened in 1952. EXPANSION Keeping up with the progress of East Tennessee, Murrell Field is planning for expansion. Extension of the runway is the most important project expected to be completed within the next year. The state and city governments have both made their 25% appropriations. The Federal government is expected to approve the remaining 50 per cent soon. This improvement will open the way for commercial service to this area. Limited service from a commercial airline will begin as soon as the runway can be completed. Southeastern Airlines has expressed an interest already, but no official choice has been made. The present facilities at Murrell Field will accomodate planes as large as DC-3's. HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF FLYING? A private license can be obtained by accumulating 40 flying hours and passing a written test. Mrs. Bryan said that it usually takes a student from six to eight hours of instruction before he can solo. This would mean that a private license would cost approximately $270.00 i. e., $8.00 per hour for dual instruction and $6.00 per hour for soloing. Former Etowah Woman Now Flies Helicopters Mrs. Evelyn Stone Bryan of Jefferson City, formerly of Etowah, received her Commercial Helicopters Rating on Feb. 21st. She thereby became the 15th woman in the U. S., and the 20th woman in the world to hold a Helicopter Pilots License. Mrs. Bryan took her Helicopter training at Helicopters International, Inc., Lodwick Airport, Lakeland Fla. Mrs. Bryan, daughter of Mrs. E. W. Stone, 417 Washington Ave., has been flying airplanes for the past 12 years. She is co-owner of Morristown Flying Service, Inc., Morristown Tennessee and works there as Flight Instructor. She has 6,100 hours flying time to her credit. She holds the following ratings: Commercial Pilot Airplane Single and Multi-Engine Land, Single Engine Sea, Instrument Flight Instructor Airplane, Commercial Pilot Examiner and Helicopter. Mrs. Bryan has competed in four All Woman Transcontinental Air Races, One International Air Race and just a year ago she ferried a Piper Tri-Pacer down through the Caribbean to South America to a Baptist Missionary.