From wing walking to helicopter piloting, Take Flight tells it all.
Take Flight is a new book that captures the stories of 10 Australian women who have made their mark in various fields of aviation.
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Written by Kathy Mexted, a pilot herself, the book delves into the different paths these women have taken to pursue their careers in the sky.
“The first book (Australian Women Pilots) came about because I wanted to tell remarkable stories of some Australian women pilots,” Kathy said.
“And then after that book was released, people often asked me, ‘Where are the helicopter pilots?’ or ‘Where are the glider pilots?’
“And I would say, ‘Oh, they’re in the next book.’
“So, then I thought, I better write another book.”
Among the featured women are helicopter pilot Alida Soemawinata, who has flown over Kata Tjuṯa, and paramotor pilot Sacha Dench, who followed migrating swans from the Arctic tundra to the English countryside. Wing walker Stef Walter, hot air balloonist Donna Tasker and others also share their stories, showcasing the diverse fields within aviation.
“There’s more to aviation than fixed-wing flying, even though fixed-wing is the most common form of aviation that happens,” Kathy said.
“But there are so many other things that people do, and many of those disciplines cross over.”
Meet Kathy Mexted at Euroa Library for the Take Flight book launch.
When discussing how she chose the women featured in Take Flight, Kathy explained the factors that shaped her selection.
“The first thing I did was ... consider ... a geographical spread of stories, so that when it’s released in Australia, everyone around the country can find someone from their home state,” she said.
“That was one of the factors.”
She also highlighted the gender disparity within the aviation industry.
“There’s something like 30,000 pilot licences in Australia, but only something like five per cent of them are women.
“And so, most of the women, because the women make up such a small percentage of any discipline, any area of aviation, they definitely tend to know each other.
“So, I know quite a lot of women pilots through the Australian Women Pilots Association, and then from them, they seem to know everybody else.”
Kathy sees Take Flight as more than just a collection of stories — she hopes it will be a source of inspiration for young readers.
“I think in the back of my mind, I was hoping that teenage girls would read it and dare to be bold or dare to try new things,” she said.
“I just hope the stories show that these girls, or these women, had the desire to do something adventurous, and then they went about finding out how to do it, and choosing the right people to teach them.
“There’s a lot in there about safety, about being safe with what you’re doing, but also the joy that comes from extending yourself beyond your natural limits or your natural inclination.”
Readers interested in learning more about the book can meet Kathy Mexted during her talk at Euroa Library on November 1, from 4pm to 6pm. She will share insights into the stories behind Take Flight and her experiences as a pilot and author.
With a focus on determination and skill, Take Flight offers readers an insightful glimpse into the varied experiences of women in the aviation sector.
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