Three of Six ... The Organizer

Barbara Erickson London

Barbara Erickson London started flying for the fun of it. Because she enjoyed physical and intellectual challenges, she enrolled in the Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program at the University of Washington in Seattle. Barbara found a way to juggle learning to fly and working toward a degree in Home Economics. Sponsored by the United States government, the CPT program was designed as a solution to our country's shortage of pilots.

Barbara soloed after only eight hours of instruction and later won a nationwide CPT spot landing competition in her hometown of Seattle. By winning the competition, in which both men and women participated, BJ won a scholarship to CPT Advanced Aerobatics Training. This opened the door for other women pilots who wanted to enrol in advanced courses. Previously, women had not been able to participate in this level of training.

Barbara went on to become a CPT Instructor until she received a telegram informing her of the formation of the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS). Jumping at the opportunity to do her part in the war effort, she took all her savings, bought a one-way train ticket and headed east.

On September 15, 1942, Barbara arrived at New Castle Army Air Base in Wilmington, Delaware. The qualifications required for membership in this elite corps of women pilots were formidable: at least 500 hours of flying time, a 200 horsepower rating, a high school degree, and two personal references. Barbara made the grade and became one of the original members of the WAFS.

Four months later, she was appointed squadron leader of the 6th Ferrying Group located in Long Beach, California. Although her duties as squadron leader kept her busy, BJ always looked for a challenge and flew everything she could get her hands on. She was one of two women to captain a B-17 Flying Fortress. Because she had worked at Boeing for a short time years earlier, BJ had the distinction of being the only woman to help build and then pilot a B-17.

Barbara's drive to do an efficient job ferrying planes earned her the Army Air Medal in 1944. She was awarded this honor for flying four 2,000-mile ferry missions across the United States accomplishing in five days what most pilots, male or female, did in a month. By the time the women pilots were disbanded in 1944 Barbara had attained the rating of a Class 5P pilot, the highest level any pilot could achieve.

As a member of the WAFS, Barbara was a hard working leader who always pushed herself to excel. She was a woman of action.