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HerStory

Fran WEST

Born: 1952

Special Achievements:

1999/2000 - First woman to fly a single engine Cessna 172, as sole pilot in command, around the coast of mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Additional Information:

A former public library manager, bed and breakfast operator, and confectioner, now a speaker, author, media producer, and photographer.

Resources

  • Link - Fran West

    Fran West

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  • References

    Ellis, David.  Fran’s Aussie flight an inspirational story.  Adelaidean.  December 13, 1999:7.

  • References

    Fran West – The Pilot.  (2003, January 28).  Retrieved from http://www.community.sa.gov.au/ozflight/index.html.

  • References

    Background to OZFLIGHT 99.  (2003, January 28).  Retrieved from http://www.community.sa.gov.au/ozflight/index.html.

  • References

    Adventurer Fran West Embarks On Solo Charity Flight!  (date unknown).  Retrieved from Sea, Sky and Sand.

  • References

    "Plane Reflections about life and a flight around Australia's coast"

  • References

    (2003, November-December).  Essay competition finalists announced.  Flight Safety Australia, 17.

  • References

    Plane talking as record-breaker launches book.  The Blackwood Times.  date unknown, 2001:3.

  • References

    Solo flier wins prestige award.  The Blackwood Times.  August, 2001:3.

  • References

    Count me in, says our Fran.  The Blackwood Times.  March, 2001:page unknown.

  • References

    More ‘happy landings’ for Fran.  Horizons.  date unknown:8.

  • References

    Fran reflects on a life of plane sailing.  Adelaidean.  March, 2002:11.

  • References

    Flight Makes Progress for Women.  Voice Putting Women First.  Issue 6, Winter 2000:2.

  • References

    The happy landings of a lady who chases a dream.  Horizons.  June 2000, Number 15:16.

  • References

    Your Society’s new projects.  (2000, date unknown).  Retrieved from https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/ausgeo/newsletter.htm, 27 June 2000.

  • References

    Your Society’s new projects.  (2000, date unknown).  Retrieved from https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/ausgeo/newsletter.htm, 27 June 2000.

  • References

    (1999, October).  Your Society’s new projects.  Australian Geographic Society, 1.

  • References

    Soroptimists hear from solo flier.  Millicent South Eastern Times.  August 3, 2000:page unknown.

  • References

    McKinnon, Sarah.  Fran’s fear of heights in the past as she prepares for record solo flight.  Hills and Valley Messenger.  June 23, 1999: page unknown.

  • References

    Flying visit.  newspaper unknown.  1999, date unknown:page unknown.

  • References

    West, Fran.  (2002, April).  Around Australia (and Tassie) solo trip was ‘not just a flight’.  www.aopa.com.au, 26-28.

  • References

    Inside.  Hills and Valley Messenger.  June 1999: page unknown.

  • References

    Flying Fran is on the way.  Naracoorte Herald.  July 15, 1999:page unknown.

  • References

    The sky’s the limit for Fran.  Bairnsdale Advertiser.  July 9, 1999:1.

  • References

    Thomas, Geoffrey.  Sky’s the limit for librarian’s dream.  West Australian.  September 11, 1999:page unknown.

  • References

    Aviator loved NW coast.  Broome Advertiser.  October 13, 1999:6.

  • References

    Fran's marathon flight around the mainland's coast.  Naracoorte Herald.  October 11, 1999:page unknown.

  • References

    Douglass, Robyn.  Tassie next for Valley’s solo fly-girl.  Blackwood Times.  November, 1999:page unknown.

  • References

    Erhardt, Livia.  Fran lands a record after long-distance flight.  Hills and Valley Messenger.  October 13, 1999: page unknown.

  • References

    Fran’s on a high over Tassie.  The Advocate.  February 19, 2000:6.

  • References

    Circular Head link for pioneer pilot.  Circular Head Chronicle.  February 23, 2000:11.

  • References

    Fran's aerial odyssey.  Naracoorte Herald.  March 13, 2000:page unknown.

  • References

    West, Fran.  (2000, March/June).  Oz Flight ‘99.  Australian Women’s Pilots’ Association, 4-5.

  • References

    [photo with caption].  Adelaidean.  March 27, 2000:page unknown.

  • References

    Heggen, Belinda.  Airborne Fran conquers the coast.  Advertiser.  March 3, 2000:46.

  • References

    Beautiful finale to flight.  Hills and Valley Messenger.  April 12, 2000: page unknown.

  • References

    Now flier Fran finishes the job.  Blackwood Times.  May, 2000:page unknown.

  • References

    [photo with caption].  Hills and Valley Messenger.  February 7, 2001:page unknown.

  • References

    (2001, March/April).  Conference 2001.  International Women Pilots / 99 News, 22.

  • References

    Hills and Valley Messenger.  March 14, 2001:11.

  • References

    Fran's flight applauded.  Naracoorte Herald.  May 15, 2001:page unknown.

  • References

    Lush, Kerrie.  Fran flies into history.  Stock Journal.  April 26, 2001:41.

  • References

    (2001, June).  The Lores Bonny Award.  Australian Women’s Pilots’ Association, 14.

  • References

    Maguire, Shane.  Pilot Fran lands adventure award.  Sunday Mail.  June 3, 2001:26.

  • References

    Dick and Fran are fellow adventurers.  Naracoorte Herald.  September 4, 2001:1.

  • References

    Out and About with Ian Evans MP.  newspaper unknown.  January, 2002:page unknown.

  • References

    England, Cameron.  Fran reflects on her 'leap of faith'.  Hills and Valley Messenger.  November 21, 2001:page unknown.

  • References

    Pilot to address WAB.  newspaper unknown.  March 21, 2002:page unknown.

  • References

    Pilot to speak.  www.cleve.yourguide.com.au.  March 21, 2002:page unknown.

  • References

    Cliff, Kerri.  Solo pilot’s adventures amaze WAB.  newspaper unknown.  date unknown:page unknown.

  • References

    Charity flight.  Advertiser.  July 31, 2002:page unknown.

  • References

    Flying high for charity.  Sunday Mail.  August 25, 2002:19.

  • References

    [photo with caption].  Hills and Valley Messenger.  January 22, 2003:page unknown.

  • References

    West, Fran.  (date unknown).  Oz Flight ‘99.  The Paper Bark, 4.

  • References

    Solo flight a charity milestone.  Hills and Valley Messenger.  January 22, 2003:page unknown.

  • References

    (date unknown).  Message from Alexander Downer   Downer Update, page unknown.

  • References

    (date unknown).  An aerial odyssey.  Australian Geographic, 122.

  • References

    High flying for the royal doctor service.  Hills and Valley Messenger.  August 28, 2002:page unknown.

  • References

    Follow your dreams.  Whyalla News.  September 26, 2002:page unknown.

  • References

    Marathon flight leaves to raise funds for flying doctor.  newspaper unknown.  Septeber, 2002:page unknown.

  • Image - Fran West

    Photo provided by, and used with permission of, Fran West.

  • Image - Fran West with Spirit of Adventure Award from Australian Geographic magazine

    Photo provided by, and used with permission of, Fran West.

  • Image - Spirit of Adventure Award from Australian Geographic

    side A

    Photo provided by, and used with permission of, Fran West.

  • Image - Spirit of Adventure Award from Australian Geographic

    side B

    Photo provided by, and used with permission of, Fran West.

  • Image - Fran West, Adventurer & Pilot

    Photo provided by, and used with permission of, Fran West.

  • Image - Fran West, Adelaide, Australia, 2002, Sea, Sky and Sand Flight

    Photo provided by, and used with permission of, Fran West.

  • Image - Fran West, Museum of Flight, Seattle, 2010

    Photo provided by, and used with permission of, Fran West.

  • Image - Fran West with her book and trophies

    Fran West with her book and trophies - Lores Bonney Award, and Spirit of Adventure Award from Australian Geographic magazine

    Photo provided by, and used with permission of, Fran West.

  • Image - Fran West at Coolangatta

    Photo provided by, and used with permission of, Fran West.

  • Image - Plane Reflections book by Fran West

    Photo provided by, and used with permission of, Fran West.

  • Image - Fran West, 99s magazine cover photo and article

    Photo provided by, and used with permission of, Fran West.

  • Image - AOPA magazine - Fran West cover photo and article

    Photo provided by, and used with permission of, Fran West.