Nancy Bird-Walton

Born In a small town in South New Wales called Kew. She was jumping off fences at four years old. She was always dreaming of flying. Age 13, first air pageant ever attended.

Born In a small town in South New Wales called Kew.

She was jumping off fences at four years old.

She was always dreaming of flying.

Age 13, first air pageant ever attended.

She was taught by Charles Kingsford Smith-a legend himself. Most women got their licenses for recreational purposes. Age 19, she received her commercial pilots’ license.

She was taught by Charles Kingsford Smith-a legend himself.

Most women got their licenses for recreational purposes.

Age 19, she received her commercial pilots’ license.

With the help of relatives, she bought her first plane. In 1935, she was hired to run a children's health scheme service. She never crashed a plane.

With the help of relatives, she bought her first plane.

In 1935, she was hired to run a children's health scheme service.

She never crashed a plane.

She entered races. After working in the outback for four years, she decided she needed a break. And after much pressure from politicians and colleagues, 1938 became her last flying year. She traveled to Europe to do some aviation research.

She entered races.

After working in the outback for four years, she decided she needed a break.

And after much pressure from politicians and colleagues, 1938 became her last flying year.

She traveled to Europe to do some aviation research.

In 1939 Bird fell in love while aboard an ocean liner bound back for Australia. She was 24 when she married Englishman Charles Walton. They had two children named Anne Marie and John.

In 1939 Bird fell in love while aboard an ocean liner bound back for Australia.

She was 24 when she married Englishman Charles Walton.

They had two children named Anne Marie and John.

While raising her children, flying still remained the ruling passion of her life. She also had the idea to start an Australian Women Pilots Association, and in 1950, She succeeded. Their motto was “Skies Unlimited.” After a twenty-year absence, she decided to fly again.

While raising her children, flying still remained the ruling passion of her life.

She also had the idea to start an Australian Women Pilots Association, and in 1950, She succeeded. Their motto was “Skies Unlimited.”

After a twenty-year absence, she decided to fly again.

She supported people in need, and charities. She was noted for her “Boundless energy, and enthusiasm.”

She supported people in need, and charities.

She was noted for her “Boundless energy,

and enthusiasm.”

Her generous spirit earned her the Order of the British Empire in 1966. She was elected a Living National treasure and in October of 2008 Qantas honored her by naming its first A380 after her.

Her generous spirit earned her the Order of the British Empire in 1966.

She was elected a Living National treasure and in October of 2008 Qantas honored her by naming its first A380 after her.

She died on January 13, 2009 of healthy causes. Thanks to her pioneering aviation days, women are working right alongside men in aviation.

She died on January 13, 2009 of healthy causes.

Thanks to her pioneering aviation days, women are working right alongside men in aviation.