The biography of Lores Bonney documents one of Australian’s pioneer airwomen. Like many early women pilots, male aviator achievements eclipsed those of Lores. Bert Hinkler, Charles Kingsford Smith, and Charles Lindbergh made the headlines daily. Yet, Lores became the first woman to fly around Australia. Next, she flew from Australia to England. In addition to that 17,000-mile flight, she became the first person to fly from Australia to South Africa. Her record flights took place between 1933 and 1936.
Solo pilots battled dangerous conditions during the 1930s. Without a doubt, Lores encountered treacherous weather. She fought through torrential rainstorms and fierce dust storms. When the motor in her de Havilland Moth stopped, she landed in any open space available. Sometimes she settled on a beach.
Newspapers provided press coverage wherever Lores landed. Accordingly, Australia declared Lores Bonney as Australia’s own Amy Johnson. Her flying career ended with the advent of WWII. Loris seemed to be completely forgotten for forty years. As a result, Terry Gwynn-Jones found an outstanding subject for a book. He documents her life exceptionally well. He includes her early years, marriage, and record-breaking flights. Clearly, Gwynn-Jones gives the reader an enjoyable journey over deserts, oceans, and jungles.
Pioneer Woman: The Story of Mrs. Bonney
Excerpt: “The rain stung her unprotected eyes and face like driving sand. The plane’s small glass windscreen gave no protection to her open cockpit. The Moth bucked and rolled uncontrollably as it entered the furious center of the storm. A sudden downdraught flung the aircraft into a rapid descent. The pilot desperately jammed the throttle full open. But still the descent was unchecked. Unable to maintain height, the aircraft was heading for the white-crested waves. The wind screamed through the rigging wires. She was 20 meters from a watery grave when the Moth escaped the grip of the storm. With the propeller protesting, the plane clawed its way slowly back up into the sky.”