Louise O’Grady (Australia)

Nov 2012 Louise O’Grady (Australia)

Louise O’Grady is based at YBLA, Benalla Airport (BLN), Benalla, Victoria, Australia.

My first ever flight was in a Chipmunk, when I was an Air Cadet at 13! Well before my first flight, I had a fascination with aviation. I am not really sure where it came from, as none of my family or friends where involved in Aviation. Amy Johnson was from my home town, Hull, Yorkshire UK. I use to walk past her statue in Hull city centre, and she fascinated me!

I took up gliding when I was 23 and shortly afterwards I did my PPLA. I didn’t do a great deal of ‘noisy’ flying as I called it, as gliding was my first love. I really didn’t find flying with an engine much fun really, it was noisy and bumpy, and to be honest, pretty boring.

About 1.5 years ago, I got my Tailwheel endorsement, which I did in a Supercub VH-CUB. A very expensive endorsement it was too, as I eventually bought a Supercub with my partner Tim. VH-HFT.  I have qualified as a glider tow pilot and I now fly the Pawnees and the Scout.

Flying tailwheel’s are so much fun, and challenging! So after discovering ‘Tailwheel’s’ I no longer find flying with an engine boring!
I have met so many great people since flying tailwheels and I have had so much fun! I have recently returned back from a trip with the Australian Antique Aircraft group, we flew from Melbourne to Perth – return. It was a fantastic trip, a holiday of a lifetime!

My ambition is to fly Supercubs in Alaska, on Ski’s and floats and do some bush flying. There is so much to learn, and so little time! Maybe I will get to meet some of you taildragger gals out there!

Louise O’Grady

Lou’s Cross-country flight Across Australia