Fun is a recurring theme in Toole’s life, and that isn’t about to change. During a recent trip to New Zealand to attend a Women in Aviation conference, she was offered the opportunity to try hot air ballooning. During that outing, instructor Rhonda Tulk asked why Toole hadn’t got back her fixed wing license. Her response was a typical ‘Why not.’ She said later: ‘So I thought if I’m going to fly again I’d better throw myself in at the deep end. But oh those bloody radios! Oh, voices bleating in my ear all the time. You’ve got three changes of frequency before you even get in the air. The flying came back reasonably quickly. I went solo in seven hours, which I thought wasn’t too bad after more than 40 years.

Subscribe Today

• Did you enjoy our article?
• Read more in Aviation History magazine
• Subscribe online and save nearly 40%!!!
 

‘I remember my first solo very distinctly, but it was different this time, because, you know, I’m older. I still had a great adrenaline rush. And yes, it’s still fun.’

Australia’s civil aviation authorities reactivated Toole’s original pasteboard license, with its endorsements for the Auster and Norseman. Her first passenger after her solo was her 11-year-old grandson, Jacob. He’s bent on following in Grandma Pat’s footsteps, or flight path, as the case may be.

This article was written by Phil Smith and originally published in the January 2006 issue of Aviation History.

For more great articles subscribe to Aviation History magazine today!

Help HistoryNet by bookmarking to