Learning to fly

In 1930 Jean and Ellen left Auckland for London. They said the move was to further Jean's musical education (she was a gifted pianist) but London was also the centre of the aviation world.

They first stayed with Jean's brother John, who had left New Zealand with a small allowance from Fred and was now building a career as a stage and film actor. At the time of their arrival he was filming the starring role in the major film Under the Greenwood Tree at Elstree Studios.

 


Jean's licence, issued in December, 1930, in London

Soon after arriving in 1930 Jean joined the London Aeroplane Club and started taking lessons at the Stag Lane aerodrome - gaining her 'A' (private) license in December 1931. By this time aviation was past its infancy and women flyers were not unusual. Jean said later that she took to flying 'like a penguin takes to water'. Other flying pupils at the time remember her differently: ambitious and determined, but a slow learner and terrible at landings.

Throughout her apprenticeship she kept saying she wanted to be the first person to fly between England and New Zealand. This notion, to those around her, was quite ridiculous. But she kept working at it, and, after a brief return-sea voyage to New Zealand, gained her commercial license in mid 1931.
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