Wednesday, May 28, 2003
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Wednesday, May 28, 2003 |
Female pilot and author visits writer's group meetingThe Fayette Writers Group was recently honored to have Pauline Mallary, a member of the all-female pilots organization, the "Nintey-Nines," speak at a recent meeting. The Ninety-Nines went on to sponsor the Powder-Puff Derby, the first women-only airplane races. Along with having her book, "A Pilgrimage To The Past," available, Pauline Mallary shared her experiences of getting published. She stressed the importance of having a mentor and the necessity of being aggressive to be a successful author. Mallary was born in Allegan County, Mich. Amelia Earhart's exploits dominated household conversation, although piloting her own plane never crossed this girl's mind. However, dreams changed in her senior year of high school as she began thinking about life in the skies. Her aspirations of flying a plane took hold and became steadfast. She discovered the qualifications required to become a flight attendant and thought why not become a pilot instead. On Nov. 1, 1952, Mallary took her first flying lesson at Ross Field Airport in Benton Harbor and flying quickly became a way of life. She soloed in an Aeronca 7 AC Champ, Feb. 3, 1953, at Ross Field and was then on her way to a flying career. Mallary became a flight instructor and a charter pilot before she was introduced to air racing in 1958, by the "Ninety-Nines." "A Pilgrimage To The Past" is this author's memorable account of forty years and 102 air races throughout the United States, Canada, Bahamas, Mexico, and Central America to Nicaragua. Mallary won the 1977 All Women's International Air Race (Angel Derby) and nine other races. "A Pilgrimage To The Past," is her personal compilation of fifty years of flight history as well as of women in aviation the last half of the 20th Century. In 1966 this well-versed pilot married Eastern Airlines pilot L.P. Mallary. After making their home in Atlanta in 1969 their daughter, Tracy, was born a year later and this family made Atlanta their permanent home. An active pilot for fifty years and one known throughout the United States, Mallary now has three goals remaining. First, she intends on getting her gold wings for fifty years of flying. Mallary also wants to win the Air Race Classic and she wants to become a U.F.O. a United Flying Octogenarian. This status is achieved by woman pilots who hold their medical certificates and the ability to solo a plane at age 80. The Fayette Writers Group wishes Pauline Mallary all the best. Ines Arnsberger Hatch member, Fayette Writers Group
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