Viewing page 65 of 131

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

5.

I was the first woman to recived a pilot license in Geveva, but I was not notify with my [[strikethrough]] troning [[/strikethrough]]. Since America offers the best oppertunities I made up my mind to come here, in Jan. 1955, I entered the Bosing School of Aeronautics in Oakland, Calf. The best school in the country for commercial flying. at frist they would not admit me because they never before had a woman student, but after long persuasion they were touched by my sincerety, adn finaly agreed. [[strikethrough]] It [[/strikethrough]]

It was terribly hard work at the begingig. This flying wasn't no more loafing around, enjoying scenery. It was hard work every munite. I had to keep my mind alert. The instructor would asked me fifthteen qquestions about my position, the proformance of the motor, my altitude, oil presure, R,P,M,, my air speed etc, etc. And the alone was so heavy and clumsy and large that I had to be prop up with cushions and put extension
 on the foot paddles before I could reach the controls to look out the cockpit. After one hour of flying I was completly exhausted, my arms would acke for hours, but ofcouse I had on time to rest because I had to go right on to ground courses. Attenting lectures on Aerodynamic, power plants, motor, meteorology, instruments, radio, navigations, et, et. until my head swum. every day from eight to five, one hour flying and the rest ground school. It was so difficult at frist, I was the only girl among 200 boys, naturaly it was herd to keep up with them. My flying instructor was very demanding treated me on the same level as the men. At the end of a month i was completely discouraged and I broke down and cry after a flight. I was tring so hard, and no one seemed to appreciate my efforts. The instructor told me later that they were hard on me because they didn't want to spoil me. After that we had a better understanding and I took heart again. The work gradually became easier as time went on. The greatest compliment that was given to me was that all the instructors and students treated me as one of them.