Embedded Files
For this story we have used a number of sources:
The British Caledonian Website, this is a fantastic site for all things about the airline.
The BBC Interview with Yvonne
Wikipedia
The Guardian Newspaper
All images are credited where possible to owner
Yvonne Pope
Britain's first female commerical pilot
Yvonne Pope was born in South Africa in September 1930, 34 years old when she became Britain's first female pilot for a major airline; she would be flying for Morton Air Services.
Yvonne’s career predominantly revolved around aviation, she worked as an air stewardess, member of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, flight instructor, air traffic controller, and ultimately a commercial pilot having been taught to fly by her husband, himself a pilot.
The photo, to the left, shows Yvonne in the co-pilot seat of a Morton's Dakota at Gatwick Airport. Yvonne was soon to start co-piloting Morton's DC3's between England and Europe. The photograph is dated 5th January 1965. She then went on to join Dan-Air in 1969, she flew De Havilland Comets, the first commercial jet airliner.
In 1972, she was promoted to a captaincy on the Avro 748, a turboprop aircraft, becoming Britain's first commercial airline captain, which included crew responsibility. From June 1975, she captained flights on the BAC 1-11 jet airliner. Yvonne continued to fly for Dan-Air until her retirement in 1980.
Yvonne Pope Sintes only ever wanted to fly. But in the 1950s, very few women were allowed into the male dominated world of aviation. Whilst many women were consigned to the role of house-wife, Yvonne chose a different path. Her dream was to join the ranks of the Royal Air Force, crisscrossing international skies. Despite an awareness of the pitfalls that might await her, she embarked upon her mission.
Yvonne was a fantastic lady and a pioneer of her time, thankfully she was interviewed by the BBC, this was aired on 30th December 2013 and the interview can be enjoyed for years to come.
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