Press Releases

British Women Pilots’ Association Announces Recipients of 2008 National Awards

13th January 2009, Brooklands Museum, Surrey. The British Women Pilots’ Association (BWPA) announces the recipients of its annual national competitive awards given each year to female pilots who have attained notable aviation achievements and success. This year has seen an exceptional calibre of winners and we are keen to encourage more applicants for next year’s awards. Read their stories – and other triumphs – below:

The Brabazon Cup – presented to the BWPA by Lord Brabazon of Tara, it is awarded to a British woman pilot who has achieved one particularly outstanding performance in aviation in the current year. Winner: Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman.

Michelle was the Aircraft Captain of an Incident Reaction Team Merlin helicopter that elected to fly in to an extremely dangerous area of Basra City late at night to rescue a casualty. Flying on night goggles at very low level across a hostile city and under very heavy direct and indirect fire, she landed at an unfamiliar and dangerous landing site next to the casualty and extracted him despite mortar rounds exploding nearby. The aircraft landed at the British Field Hospital just 14 minutes after launch. Without the Incident Reaction Team, the casualty would have died within 15 minutes. We can only marvel at the courage shown by Michelle and her team and reflect on the dedication and sacrifices made by British Service personnel every day.

The Naomi Christie Cup – awarded for a flying or flying related personal achievement Winner: Sue Rose

Sue started to learn to fly after her retirement and got her bus pass before she gained her PPL. When Stapleford Flight Centre came out with the PPL plus course she did not hesitate and was the first ‘guinea pig’ student to sign up. Sue recently gained her IMC rating after two years of perseverance and hard work. Her determination and constant efforts to improve her flying skills set a great example to others. She is currently editor of Stapleford Flying Club Newsletter and organises regular flyouts through the year.

The Jean Lennox Bird Pendant - awarded to a British woman pilot who has served aviation over a period of time. Winner: Tricia Nelmes

For many years of service to aviation, especially her work with the General Aviation Safety Council and at the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators with the Education and Training Committee and as an Assistant to the Court. Tricia’s commitment to aviation started early on through her involvement with both the Air Training Corps and Girls Venture Corps. She has been a member of the BWPA since 1980 and a Flying Instructor since 1984. She first joined the BWPA committee in 1981 and to date has undertaken the jobs of Membership Secretary, Regional Co-ordinator and most recently served six years as Chairman. In 2003 she became a council member of the General Aviation Safety Council and is currently a Board Member. Her work with the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators, of which she is a Liveryman, includes her membership of the Education and Training Committee for the past 5 years and work on the Scholarship Selection Panel since 2006. Tricia has also been a member of the GA/NATS Partnership Forum since its inception in 2007.

The Hilda Hewlett Trophy - presented to a BWPA member under 25 who has shown initiative and commitment and who seeks a career in aviation and who is an example to her peers Winner: Sally Cluley

For gaining her Private Pilot’s Licence on her 17th birthday, having completed the course in the minimum time and to a high standard. Sally received her PPL Licence form the CAA on her 17th birthday in September 2008 having completed her training over a period of 4 weeks a month earlier. During this time she passed all 7 written examinations with an average pass rate of 94%, and completed all her flying requirements including test in just 45 ½ hours. Sally is an Air cadet based at Birstall in Leicester and would like to fly professionally once she ahs completed her education, either with the RAF or as a commercial pilot.

The Faith Bennett Navigation Trophy - awarded to a British woman pilot for a navigation exercise of special interest or which stretches the experience of a pilot to her limits Winner: Stephanie Wall

For winning the Royal Institute of Navigation 2007 Top Nav competition, announced in July 2008. Top Nav is a ‘blind’ navigation event where aircraft crews only know the next of about 10 waypoints by opening sealed envelopes at specific points enroute. References are given as VOR/DME fixes, VOR cross cuts or Latitude/Longitude co-ordinates therefore involving map reading, dead reckoning and radio navigation. The competition is open to all types of GA aircraft and the exercise takes about 2 hours to compete. Stephanie and her team mate Mike were up against 27 other teams.

Stephanie, an erstwhile BA Cabin Crew employee, gained her PPL in 2003 and has juggled being Operations Manager of the flying school at Wellesbourne Mountford for the last four years with progressing her flying. Having wanted to fly for ages as a BA employee she didn’t believe she was capable! Since then she has completed the AOPA aerobatic course and is studying for her ATPL exams. Her ambition is to become a Flying Instructor in order to assist others to achieve their full potential.

The Muriel Sells Trophy - presented to a BWPA member who has supported the association by regularly attending events or by working in the background to further the association’s aims. Winner: Beryl Thorp

Beryl has been a stalwart of the association for as long as anyone can remember and has served on the committee in various roles for longer than most people have been members. Although no longer on the committee she is still actively involved in the distribution of the quarterly newsletter and organises the Christmas Luncheon raffles.

Jack Brackenbury Trophy - presented for the best photograph for the archives Winner: Veronica Andrews

Awarded for Veronica’s photograph of diminutive BWPA member Amy Chau climbing into a Gladiator at Old Warden printed in the BWPA Autumn Newsletter

The Chairwoman’s Challenge Trophy – awarded to the competition entry judged to be the most interesting or unusual navigation flight on a theme set by the judges. This year’s theme was ‘ Stately Homes and Gardens’. Winner: Janet Chanides

Janet flew a PA28 from Turweston over a total of 17 stately homes and gardens. The flight involved a complex route through very busy airspace, requiring precision navigation and taking account of a variety of other airspace users. Each location was expertly researched and carefully photographed. The log book was well presented with all the relevant documentation. The flight showed excellent planning and Janet exhibited good judgement and airmanship throughout.

Group photograph shows: Back Row, left to right, Janet Chanides, Sue Rose, Tricia Nelmes, Stephanie Wall Front Row, left to right, Sally Cluley, Flt Lt Micelle Goodman, Beryl Thorp.