Shannon Gallagher (Tennessee)

Shannon Gallagher with 1940 Taylorcraft

My name is Shannon Gallagher and I live in Hohenwald, TN at 0M3 Baker Field.  I have been taking lessons for 7 months now and learning to fly in a 1940 Taylorcraft, BC65.  I really enjoy it and hopefully, as soon as the weather gets better, will finish my flight training.  This is something I’ve wanted to do all my life but was unable to till recently.  I have never flown anything else but a taildragger at this point, and really don’t care if I ever do as I love the little plane.  I have learned to fly using only the simple gauges and no fancy stuff.  I like it that way and appreciate others who have the skill in these wonderful machines.

I have enclosed a photo of me in front of Chuck’s plane.  It’s my good fortune to have a boyfriend who happens to have a taildragger!

Me and Old Betsy

Me in Old Betsy taking off for our first flight together.  A moment to remember.

Went flying as a group with Chuck and some friends  all day event.

Cross country trip with friends

If  job and weather had been cooperating I could have soloed by now but unfortunately they haven’t.  However, I look forward to that first solo flight.  I am probably more excited about flying that first solo than I should be, but I have faith in my instructor and in both my ability and in the plane I am flying.

We live right across the street from the Airport where we hangar our plane.  It’s nice .  Usually in May the local flying club puts on a fly-in and when I get the details I’ll pass them along.  I would very much like for you to come with as many women as you can.  If you need a place to rest and wash my home is across the street  and you are welcome to stay.

Believe it or not I am the only woman to be instructed here at this airport and I now have  another young woman learning in a Cessna 150 and going for her private.  Her hubby is a pilot with Southwest airlines.  Her son Ethan also has his private and is in school for commercial pilot.
The older men at this airport who also fly taildraggers are very encouraging  to me and are full of advice on tailwheel flying.  They tell me that when I am through I’ll be a better pilot than most men because I am learning in a plane that teaches you HOW TO FLY not one that flys for you.  Course that is just RC’s way of being  just a very sweet, old guy.  He is 83 years old and still flies a Swift tailwheel.  He also has a Navion.
Our airport is very tailwheel friendly.  We have a Steerman 450, Piper PA 12,  Piper Colt,  Pitts, Rowden T1,  Luscombe 8A,  Globe Tempo  Swift,  and of course, our little Taylorcraft BC65.

 

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6 Comments
  • Susan
    Posted at 23:20h, 15 July Reply

    Looks like you’ve got that figured out Shannon!!! Good Job!!!

  • Shannon Gallagher
    Posted at 19:35h, 14 July Reply

    Hey everyone just had a great week of flying. My instructor had me do 11 touch and goes in a 10 mph cross wind. Busted my chops. But Chuck took a video of one of the 11 approach and landing so I thought if you were interested I’d give you the link to it on you tube. It’s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud4eqt8unA8
    Hope you enjoy it, and let me know what you think.

  • shannon
    Posted at 09:12h, 24 June Reply

    Hi April,

    thanks for your comment. My instructor works a full time job so I only get him on Sat and sun mornings so I have yet to solo since I had weather and other obstacles in my way but I think we are back on track now so hopefully soon. He’s very cautious and every one he teaches doesn’t get cut lose till he feels you can handle any obstacle or problem that could occur. He really puts you though your paces.
    Congrats on your solo, and I hope to meet you at the lady taildraggers fly-in in August, weather permitting.
    See you soon and again congrats

    Shannon

  • April
    Posted at 21:24h, 23 June Reply

    Hi Shannon, My name is April and I am from Virginia.

    I felt like I just read my own personal story! Only I fly a 1946 L16 Champ. Coincidently, my instructor’s name is Chuck! Good for you and I hopefully by now you have had the opportunity to do your solo. I just did mine a few weeks ago.

    It’s nice to hear of other ladies that enjoy the vintage planes.

    Good luck to you.

  • shannon gallagher
    Posted at 22:39h, 29 January Reply

    Is that you Zema. If so nice to have you visit. Hope to see you at the fly in in may, if not before

  • sam
    Posted at 15:03h, 28 January Reply

    nice pic’s and story shannon, was that me in the 172 ??

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