The Mind-Blowing Career of Australia’s First Female Pilot

LifeStyleMay 3, 2023

According to Mary Earnshaw, who has been flying in the skies since the 70s, being a pilot is a whole different vibe. During the early years of her career, it was the time when there were few female pilots – if any – in Australia. From the highs of the sky to hazardous plane crashes, Earnshaw has seen them all.

In the 1970s, Earnshaw saw the highs of the sky when there were no contemporary female pilots. For 30 years, Earnshaw enjoyed a worthwhile career as the first female pilot in Australia. Later on, she also served as a flight instructor.

LA Times | Mary Earnshaw enjoyed 30 years of career as the first female pilot and chief instructor.

In this article, we will see how Mary Earnshaw’s life was as the only female pilot in Australia. We will see what her life looked like in the highs of the sky and down on earth. At the same time, we will also see how was her first experience as a female pilot back in the 70s.

Mary Earnshaw: The first Female Australian Pilot & Flight Instructor

To begin with, Mary Earnshaw recalls her first days as a pilot “just like it was yesterday.” She vividly recalls that her first flight was full of emotions. It felt different, she argues. Partly because it was her first flight. More importantly, she was going to make history as she was kicking off her career to be the first female pilot in Australia.

By then, there were very few planes, let alone female pilots, Earnshaw asserts. But there was one more thing that overridden all these exciting emotions: Fear.

The Times | Mary Earnshaw recalls her early days of flights as the most “emotional and fearful” days.

Although she was excited about so many things, fear haunted her through and through. And rightly so! She was about to hit the sky – hailing as the first female pilot in Australia. So, it is easy to fathom her fear and anxiety – accompanied by uncontrollable emotions.

Taking Flight Lessons

Prior to becoming a pilot, Earnshaw used to live in West Australia. She vividly remembers that she used to pay $10 for every flight lesson. These lessons set me up to fly in the sky, Earnshaw remembers.

Of course, Earnshaw is grateful for the opportunities that she was blessed with. These opportunities are unique to me, she suggests. And looking back, Earnshaw can not help but be grateful for everything she had back then.

Alex / Pexels | Prior to becoming a pilot, Earnshaw used to pay $10 for every flight lesson – that set her up to become the first female pilot in Australia.

Flying was an unwavering childhood passion of Mary Earnshaw. “Flying was the only thing that was on my mind. I could not simply think of anything else,” Mary recalls as she looks back at her childhood. In turn, this dream turned into a reality when she hit the sky in 1973 in style.

Today, Earnshaw enjoys a peaceful post-retirement life in West Australia. Looking back at her life (and 30 years of career,) Earnshaw is completely satisfied. Earning the record of the first Australian female pilot, she is grateful for the opportunities that she was blessed with back in the 1970s.