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[[image - photograph]]
[[caption]] Gay Absalom is the only woman commercial helicopter pilot in Great Britain.
Charter pilot for Air Gregory, she had over 1,200 hours. [[/caption]]

and the Federal Republic of Germany flying French-built Alouettes; government-trained crews from the U.S.S.R. (including three women) flying the Russian Mi-2; Army, Navy and Royal Air Force crews from the United Kingdom flying Wessex, Alouette. Whirlwind and Bell Sioux. In addition, the UK's civilian crews (including two women) competed in a Brantly, Hughes 300 and 500, and Bell JetRangers. 

The U.S. team was sanctioned by the National Aeronautic Association. Thanks to Bell Helicopter Company sponsorship, the U.S. Team was provided final precision practice training at the company's Fort Worth plant, with Test Pilot Loren Doughty as coach. Coach Doughty accompanied the team to Middle Wallop and arranged for a Bell 47-G2 chartered helicopter.

Ilovene Potter, of Seattle, Wash., Captain of the U.S. Team, is an FAA Flight Examiner, has more than 1,000 hours in helicopters and is international treasurer of The Whirly-Girls. Her co-pilot, Mrs. Betty Pfister of Aspen, Colo., was a World War II Ferry Pilot, and later pilot of her own P-39 fighter airplane. Betty Miller, only woman to fly solo from California to Australia, was the second pilot for the U.S. Team. Her co-pilot, Mrs. Charlotte Graham, of Phoenix, Ariz., is the International President of The Whirly-Girls. The world women's aerobatic champion, Mrs. Mary Gaffaney, owner/operator of Kendall Flying School, Miami, Florida, was the third pilot of the U.S. Team. Her co-pilot, Mrs. Jean Tinsley of Atherton, Calif., is the International Secretary of The Whirly-Girls. Jean Ross Howard, Secretary  of the NAA, and Executive Director of The Whirly-Girls, was the Team Delegate and the judge for the U.S.A. 

Michael T. (Mike) Meger, chief test pilot for Enstrom Helicopters, was the sole U.S. individual entry in the Championships. D. R. Kenyon, UK Enstrom dealer, was his co-pilot.

The Championships opened officially with a briefing in the hotel, Monday morning. In welcoming the contestants, Chairman Rowland Absalom of the Helicopter Club of Great Britain noted that safety and good sportsmanship would be the keynote of the Championships-while competition would be keen, international goodwill and understanding were of paramount importance. This briefing and all that followed were somewhat lengthened because of the 

[[image - photograph]]
[[caption]] At New York's Midtown Heliport, Whirly-Girl Doris Renniger is public relations director for Hel-Air Copters, Inc. [[/caption]]


22   NATIONAL AERONAUTICS