Mr Michael Traynor

Michael is a native of Kinlough, Co. Leitrim. While working in Limerick he earned his Private Pilots Licence. He has owned several 4-seater aircraft over the past 35 years. In those aircraft he has flown to most countries in Europe. These range from Lapland in the north, Greece in the east & south to Morocco. He has landed at over 50 European airports.

Michael's interest in aviation history commenced when he compiled the history of aviation in Limerick. He then self published a book about IONA – Ireland's first commercial airline. His latest publication took eight years to research and outlines the biographies & achievements of Ireland's early female aviators. This is his topic for discussion this evening.

The book contains the biographies of over a dozen Irishwomen who were at the cutting edge of the aeronautical revolution that swept these islands in the early twentieth century. Their stories are told against the backdrop of Irish economic, social and political life. Some enjoyed a lavish and aristocratic lifestyle, while others struggled to support themselves. They hailed from the four provinces of Ireland. Some of these women were contemporaries and acquaintances of other prominent aviatrices of the period, viz Amelia Earhart and Amy Johnson to name two.

The book contains a Foreword by President Michael D. Higgins.

In the words of President Higgins:

“This book, Petticoat Pilots, is a unique collector’s treasure-trove, not just for historians or scholars of Irish aviation, but for all those Irishwomen and Irishmen at home and around the world who wish to learn and celebrate the undeniable world-class, but too often unsung, achievements of the women whose stories are told within it.

The volume of research underpinning this book, conducted over a seven-year period, and the level of detail that has been provided, including some 773 beautifully reprinted historical images, is truly remarkable. I congratulate Michael Traynor for this tour de force. It is undoubtedly the ultimate reference source on the topic of women’s aviation history in Ireland, and will surely become internationally recognised as a foremost title on the subject.”