Nancy-Bird Walton Airport Opens to Passengers with Tribute to Aviation Pioneer

A large artistic tribute to Nancy-Bird Walton, the first Australian woman to hold a commercial pilot's licence, has been unveiled at Western Sydney International Airport, which has been named in her honour.

The airport, located in Western Sydney, opened to passengers on Sunday, with travellers passing through the domestic departure gates able to see the installation, titled My God! It's a Woman!!, by artists Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro.

A Pioneer in Aviation

The tribute depicts a deconstructed version of Nancy Bird's Gipsy Moth aircraft, which she used to complete joy flights and barnstorming stunts in the 1930s.

"I think being able to see the artworks and her presence there at the airport is a real permanent reminder — not just to me, but to my kids and all the family — that she was a special woman," Nancy's grandson Baron Walton said.

Nancy Bird's passion for flying was ignited in 1928 when she took a joy flight at a country show in Wingham.

"The social norms was that it was not a place for a woman and Kingsford Smith even said that himself, although his actions showed that he was willing to teach them how to fly," Mr Walton said.

Nancy gained her commercial licence when she was 19 and bought her first plane, a Gipsy Moth she named Vincere. The word "woman" was emblazoned across the underside of the biplane's lower wing.

"She used to fly over those hangars quite low so that everyone could see the young girl that they [had told]: 'You'll never fly, you'll never be a pilot — it's not your place," Mr Walton said.

The Angel of the Outback

In 1935, Nancy began "barnstorming" — offering joy flights — at country shows for 10 shillings a pop.

During the barnstorming tour in 1935, Nancy was recruited to the Royal Far West Children's Health Scheme by the Reverend Stanley Drummond.

From her base in Bourke, she began delivering medical assistance — including emergency services and maternity care — to people in isolated areas.

It was during that time that Nancy heard the phrase that would become the title of her 1990 memoir, courtesy of a patient who could not contain his disbelief when he clapped eyes on the "Angel of the Outback".

"A farmer was in trouble and needed medical assistance urgently," Mr Walton said.

A Legacy of Inspiration

Baron Walton said his nan, who supported charities and received a number of accolades throughout her life, was "was a social reformer".

"She was really passionate about what it meant to be Australian and about helping people that really needed it," he said.

The tribute to Nancy-Bird Walton AO, OBE, DStJ will greet the first passengers to fly from the airport named for her.

"Nan loved the party, even at 92," Mr Walton said.

Nancy-Bird died at the age of 93 on January 13, 2009, but she continues to inspire successive generations.

"The amazing thing about Nancy was she wasn't just a pilot, she was a daring person, who moved women in that time," Baron's daughter Maysa Walton said.

On Saturday Nancy-Bird Walton will be honoured at the Camden Haven Show in Kendall, which will feature a flyover from a Tiger Moth, weather permitting.

The first passenger flight from Western Sydney International Airport will depart for the Gold Coast on Sunday.