Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 26, 2016 21:34:09 GMT 12
The name Mrs. Brustad means nothing to most of us, but when you hear her maiden name it might, as she was Miss Aroha Clifford, New Zealand's first female pilot to gain a licence, and also well known on the air pageant scene in the early 1930's. I had wondered what became of her and discovered she died very young, sadly. This comes from the New Zealand Herald, dated 1 December 1933:
AIRWOMAN'S DEATH
MRS. A. BRUSTAD
FIRST DOMINION GIRL PILOT
KEEN ALPINE CLIMBER
[BY TELEGRAPH — OWN CORRESPONDENT] CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday
The death occurred in the Amuri Hospital, Rotherham, this morning, of Mrs. Mary Lucy Aroha Brustad, who, as Miss Aroha Clifford, was well known throughout New Zealand as the first woman to gain her pilot's licence through an aero club. She was 25 years of age.
Her death was due to pneumonia, and followed the birth of a son at the hospital two days ago. Mrs. Brustad was the youngest daughter of Mr. and the late Mrs. Walter Clifford, of Garden Road, Fendalton, and a niece of the late Sir George Clifford. She was born in Wellington and received her education at St. Mary's Convent, Colombo Street, North Christchurch, and at Ascot Convent, England.
Early in her teens she became keenly interested in winter sports and alpine climbing. She was a very frequent visitor to the Hermitage, Mount Cook, and she became an expert skier and climber.
One of the most notable of her exploits in this region was the "round trip" over Copland Pass (7400 ft.) to Waiho and back to the Hermitage by way of Graham's Saddle (8739 ft.), a journey that called for great endurance and experience. She was accompanied on this trip by Mr. Alf. Brustad, then guide at the Hermitage. She married Mr. Brustad in 1931.
Mrs. Brustad was the first pupil instructed by the Canterbury Aero Club. In May, 1929, a month or two after the club's inception, she flew solo for the first time in June, and was granted her "A" licence when under the age of 21 by Major L. M. Isitt, the examiner, on August 5.
After some experience of cross-country flying in New Zealand she went to England in 1931. While there she spent three months at the De Haviland factory, taking a private ownership course in mechanics. She was at this time a member of the London Aero Club and did a considerable amount of flying from the Stag Lane aerodrome. She purchased a machine of her own, a Puss Moth, and this she brought back to New Zealand with her. It was later acquired by the New Zealand Permanent Air Force, which now uses it for aerial survey work.
Mrs. Brustad resumed her flying on her return to New Zealand and she was the first woman to pilot an aeroplane over Cook Strait in a flight from Wellington to Christchurch.
After her marriage to Mr. Brustad in September, 1931, she gave up active flying, although she maintained a keen interest in the activities of the Canterbury Aero Club. Mr. Brustad was stationed in Christchurch as an alpine guide and winter sports tutor until two or three months ago, when he purchased a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Brustad settled in the Waiau district only two or three weeks ago.
AIRWOMAN'S DEATH
MRS. A. BRUSTAD
FIRST DOMINION GIRL PILOT
KEEN ALPINE CLIMBER
[BY TELEGRAPH — OWN CORRESPONDENT] CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday
The death occurred in the Amuri Hospital, Rotherham, this morning, of Mrs. Mary Lucy Aroha Brustad, who, as Miss Aroha Clifford, was well known throughout New Zealand as the first woman to gain her pilot's licence through an aero club. She was 25 years of age.
Her death was due to pneumonia, and followed the birth of a son at the hospital two days ago. Mrs. Brustad was the youngest daughter of Mr. and the late Mrs. Walter Clifford, of Garden Road, Fendalton, and a niece of the late Sir George Clifford. She was born in Wellington and received her education at St. Mary's Convent, Colombo Street, North Christchurch, and at Ascot Convent, England.
Early in her teens she became keenly interested in winter sports and alpine climbing. She was a very frequent visitor to the Hermitage, Mount Cook, and she became an expert skier and climber.
One of the most notable of her exploits in this region was the "round trip" over Copland Pass (7400 ft.) to Waiho and back to the Hermitage by way of Graham's Saddle (8739 ft.), a journey that called for great endurance and experience. She was accompanied on this trip by Mr. Alf. Brustad, then guide at the Hermitage. She married Mr. Brustad in 1931.
Mrs. Brustad was the first pupil instructed by the Canterbury Aero Club. In May, 1929, a month or two after the club's inception, she flew solo for the first time in June, and was granted her "A" licence when under the age of 21 by Major L. M. Isitt, the examiner, on August 5.
After some experience of cross-country flying in New Zealand she went to England in 1931. While there she spent three months at the De Haviland factory, taking a private ownership course in mechanics. She was at this time a member of the London Aero Club and did a considerable amount of flying from the Stag Lane aerodrome. She purchased a machine of her own, a Puss Moth, and this she brought back to New Zealand with her. It was later acquired by the New Zealand Permanent Air Force, which now uses it for aerial survey work.
Mrs. Brustad resumed her flying on her return to New Zealand and she was the first woman to pilot an aeroplane over Cook Strait in a flight from Wellington to Christchurch.
After her marriage to Mr. Brustad in September, 1931, she gave up active flying, although she maintained a keen interest in the activities of the Canterbury Aero Club. Mr. Brustad was stationed in Christchurch as an alpine guide and winter sports tutor until two or three months ago, when he purchased a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Brustad settled in the Waiau district only two or three weeks ago.
