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Whirly Girls International president(2014) Dianna Stanger got her start in flying thanks to a need for breakfast eggs on her island home. That started a love affair that most of us can relate too.
Dianna is one busy lady. She manages an airfield and FBO in Texas, operates a flying school amongst several other businesses, is involved in angel medical flights, supports work on her ranch while also supporting several organisations working to raise the profile of aviation.
Her own progression in helicopters went from R22, R44, B206, Agusta 109 and now a EC120 which is her daily ride. Dianna is also a fixed wing pilot with a number of air race trophies under her belt. She is fiercely competitive which you’ll find out in interview and gives any project a huge amount of focus.
Competitors that go up against her soon in pylon racing in Dianna’s new jet will need to be on their toes!
As president of Whirly Girls International Dianna is charged with leading the international support network in raising the profile of the female helicopter aviator, mentoring and providing a source of camaraderie and information sharing.
[Tweet “Its hard for you to talk to a pilot for them not to get excited about what they do”]
Whirly Girls has been around since 1955, is an affiliate member of the HAI and also promotes helicopters in general.
There are a number of scholarships that are offered each year including – NVG, mountain flying, agricultural, turbine transition, external load, recurrency, R44 safety course, maintenance, ditching and flight instructor. (I like the one that attempts to poach a fixed wing pilot across to the rotary side)
2015 will see Whirly Girls turn 60 years old with several events and a logo competition planned to mark the occasion.
You’ll find links to resources and sites mentioned in the show down the page.
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[Tweet “44 countries, 1800+ members and dating back to 1955 #whirlygirls”]
00:50 Brought to you by trainmorepilots.com
01:10 Top 10 helicopter books for helicopter aircrew
01:50 New videos on website
02:05 Today’s guest – Dianna Stanger, Whirly Girls President 2014
03:23 Texas ranch
04:10 Animals!
04:50 Horse competitions and competitive nature
05:35 Helipad and airstrip on the ranch
06:30 First introduction to helicopters and shopping
08:10 Connecticut to Bahamas in R22
09:30 R44 with floats
10:10 Jetranger 206B from movie US Marshals
11:13 Agusta 109 Power – speed/endurance, landing on wheels, IFR
13:30 EC120 – daily commuter, ranch work
15:00 Responding to hurricanes
16:45 Managing airfield and FBO
18:02 Flying conditions and terrain in Texas
19:05 Aviation kids programs
21:50 Whirly Girls organisation and history
23:30 Flying scholarships – fixed to rotary, safety, instructing, NVG + more
26:05 Diamond (60th) anniversary – competitions, banquet, logo competition
27:45 Air races and fighter trainer pylon racing
30:33 Angel flights – first helicopter accepted
33:40 Scariest moment in flying
35:57 What do you look for in hiring a pilot
37:44 ‘West with the Night’ – recommended book
39:37 AOPA board position and children’s program
40:25 What’s coming up for Dianna
43:11 Cross country air race – racing aces team, scholarship
45:10 Helicopter pylon racing video
45:35 Helicopter Pilots Model Code of Conduct
Links from this week’s episode:
Whirly Girls International
Racing Aces
Institute for Women of Aviation Worldwide
Xxtreme Aviatrixx
Dianna’s jet!
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Helicopter pylon racing in MD500 types
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