Lady Bailey’s Air Triumpha

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 344, 3 May 1928, Page 13

Lady Bailey’s Air Triumpha

Champion Woman Flyer METEORIC CAREER “Lady Champion Aviator of the World” is the title that has been awarded to Lady Bailey, wife of Sir Abe Bailey, by the International League of Aviators in Paris. Colonel Lindbergh was awarded the International Trophy for Men for 192 T with the title of “Champion Aviator of the World.” “ r certainly did not expect to be awarded the title,” said. Lady Bailey, in an interview. “I have always been keen on flying, and I have really looked upon my plane as any private person would look upon his motor-car —the best and quickest way of getting about. “I took out my pilot’s certificate in 1926, and did quite a lot of flying last year. I keep my D.H. Moth garaged at Edgware, and when I feel like a run I fly where I want to. “Sometimes I take a passenger, but many of my flights have been alone. I love piloting my own machine, and I think women will use the private airplane increasingly in the future in place of a car.” It is understood that the special claim which Lady Bailey had upon the committee in making their award was her piloting capabilities. The achievements of Miss Ruth Elder and Madame Lillie Dilleuz were made with the assistance of men pilots. Lady Bailey’s air career has been meteoric. Among her achievements may be mentioned that— She holds the world’s height record for light airplanes (18,000 ft.). Beat 13 men in a Birmingham air pageant handicap.

Was one of the first women to fly the Irish Sea alone. Was the only woman to compete in King’s Air Cup race. The daughter of the fifth Lord Rossmore, Lady Bailey was married 16 years ago, and her husband, Sir Abe Bailey, is said South Africa’s richest millionaire.

She has only had one real flying accident, and that was last April, when she was slightly stunned by the whirling propeller of a machine she was about to fly at Stag-lane airdrome.