The original Flying Seven in Western Canada. L
to R, Joan Pike, Tosca Trassolini, Betsy Flaherty, Alma Gilbert,
Elianne Robert, Margaret Fane and Rolie (Moore) Pierce.
In 2000, the BC
Coast Chapter recognized the achievements of Rolie Pierce,
through the dedication of a "Plane watcher's bench" at Pitt Meadows
Airport, BC.
Born in November, 1912 in BC, Rosalie (Rolie)
Moore first flew in the 1930s when Maurice MacGreggor took her
flying, in appreciation for a painting she had done of his Waco.
Rolie was immediately bitten by the flying bug. She received her
Private Licence in 1935, followed by aerobatic lessons and advanced
flight training. She was accepted in 1936 for aerobatic
instructions by the British Air Ministry and went to England. She
entered the Lord Norbesk Flying Competition, coming in second.
Returning to Canada, she entered flying
competitions from 1936 to 1940. She won the E.H. Moore Trophy
twice, the Gordon Wismer Trophy 3 times, the Len Curtiss Trophy
twice, and came second once and first twice in the Webster
Competition.
In February 1949 she got her Public Transport
Licence (2nd woman in Canada to do so). She also qualified on
50-plus types of planes. She made many charter flights up and down
the BC coast, and took part in many airshows across Canada, as well
as being an instructor.
She helped form the "Flying Seven" group of women
pilots whose aim was to promote aviation among women in Canada.
Other members included Margaret Fane, Betsy Flaherty, Alma Gilbert,
Jean Pike, Elanne Roberge, and Yosca Trosolini. They held
competitions. They also established a women's Aeronautics Course in
Vancouver in 1941.
Rolie died in August 1999. Her ashes were
scattered at Garden Bay, Pender Harbour.
