RWS 11 – Whirly Girls International with Dianna Stanger

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, …

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Passing on the love of flying to a new generation – Dianna talking helicopters with a group of kids

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”]

Big smiles with 2014 Whirly Girl scholarships – Dianna 5th from the right.

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

Introducing school children to an EC120 helicopter

Dianna in her Jetranger (the one from the movie US Marshals)

Dianna’s jet!

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The Agusta 109 was Dianna’s favorite helicopter – room, speed, range and attracted plenty of attention

Helicopter pylon racing in MD500 types

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The post RWS 11 – Whirly Girls International with Dianna Stanger appeared first on The Rotary Wing Show Podcast.