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After a chance trial flying lesson in 1980 Diana found her true passion in life, and yet again by chance found
the all-absorbing and wonderful world of aerobatics. The following year - with only 60 hours flying to her credit - she
embarked on a career in competition aerobatics. |
| From 1981 to 1986 Diana progressed through the levels from
Standard to Unlimited, competing as much as possible in France and England. She began campaigning in her own
CAP 10b in 1983 and quickly progressed into single seaters, starting with a CAP 21 in which she made her World
Aerobatic Championship (WAC) debut, in 1986. |
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During the next 10 years she campaigned extensively in both Western and Eastern Europe and also North and South
America (often as the sole representative of Great Britain), gaining numerous awards en route. The many long flights
in her single-seat aerobatic aircraft with just a magnetic compass for navigation were just as challenging! |
| To cope with the ever increasing demands of unlimited competition (in competition she regularly pulled +8.5 G
and pushed up to -7 G) Diana upgraded her aircraft first to an Extra 230 and then to the phenomenal Extra 260.
This was built specially for her in 1991 and with its welded steel tube fuselage, carbon fibre wings and tail,
Monty Barratt tuned 6 cylinder engine, 3 bladed propeller and excellent power to weight ratio it is still rated as
a highly competitive aircraft. |
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Since that time Diana has flown in six World Championships, five European Championships, and became the British Aerobatic
Champion in 1995 - the first ever non-commercial pilot and the first lady to take the title. She followed that up with
the title of British Freestyle Champion. |
Flying biography
| 1980 | Gained PPL within 40 hours. |
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| 1981 | First aerobatic competition - France, placed 1st lady (second solo flight in the CAP 10b). |
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| 1982 | First aerobatic competition in England, CAP 10b. |
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| 1983/85 | Campaigned in France, Holland and England in her own CAP 10b, G-BKUC, and brought home many trophies. |
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| 1985 | Moved onto single seater CAP 21, G-BLZZ, gained a place in the British National Team. |
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| 1986 | Competed in the '86 WAC - South Cerney, England. First British lady to fly in
a World Championship since Frances McRae in 1970. CAP 21. |
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| 1987 | British Team - European Championships - Speichersdorf, Germany. CAP 21. |
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| 1988 | British Team - World Aerobatic Championships - Red Deer, Canada. Extra 230 G-DIAN. |
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| 1989 | Sole British pilot to compete in European Championships - Bekescaba, Hungary. Extra 230. |
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| 1990 | British Team - World Aerobatic Championships - Yverdon, Switzerland. Extra 230. |
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| | Sole British pilot to compete in the Spanish Masters Aerobatic Championship - Ocana, Spain. Extra 230. |
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| 1991 | Sole British pilot to compete in the Argentine Masters Aerobatic Championship. Pitts S1T/S2B. |
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| | British Team - European Championships - Muret, France. Extra 260 G-EXTR. |
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| 1992 | British Team - World Aerobatic Championships - Le Havre, France. Extra 260. |
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| 1993 | British Team - European Championships - Grossetto, Italy. Extra 260. |
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| 1994 | British Team - World Aerobatic Championships - Debrecen, Hungary. Extra 260. |
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| 1995 | British Team - European Championships - Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. Extra 260. |
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| | OVERALL BRITISH AEROBATIC CHAMPION and the Neil Williams Trophy - Sywell. Extra 260. |
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| 1996 | British Team - World Aerobatic Championships - Oklahoma, USA. Extra 300S. |
Diana's other achievements include:
- British Aerobatic Team Captain in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994.
- Chairman, British Aerobatic Association 1989 to 1993.
- Woman of the Year Award 1994 - Fédération des Pilotes Européennes.
- British Women Pilots Association Brabazon Cup 1986.
- British Women Pilots Association Jean Lennox-Bird Trophy 1995.
- Royal Aero Club silver medal 1996.
- Pilot Magazine Freestyle Challenge Trophy - Biggin Hill 2000.
- National Free Style Champion - David Perrin Trophy.
- Best Display - RAF Valley, 2001.
- Flew displays at Farnborough 2002.
- 2003 to 2006 Displays at Little Gransden "Children in Need", Woodchurch "Wings & Things", Brize Norton and various French venues.
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