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Touching the Sky: The extraordinary story of an Australian trailblazer who became the longest flying female airline pilot in the world
Deborah Lawrie didn't just break the glass ceiling - she flew right through it.
They told her women couldn't fly commercial airliners.
They told her women weren't welcome in the cockpit.
They told her women couldn't work and have a family.
She told them she'd see them in court.
In an era when flight attendants were dismissed as 'trolley dollies' and smoking on aeroplanes was practically mandatory, Deborah Lawrie broke barriers to become Australia's first female pilot for a major commercial airline, fighting against absurd gender discrimination and prejudice to pave the way for equal opportunity in a male-dominated industry.
In this candid, cheeky, jaw-dropping memoir, she explains her journey from being a young girl in 1950s Australia who was determined to fly to taking Ansett Airlines to court in a landmark High Court battle - and winning. Now inducted into the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame, Deborah Lawrie is the world's longest flying female airline pilot. This is her true story.
They told her women couldn't fly commercial airliners.
They told her women weren't welcome in the cockpit.
They told her women couldn't work and have a family.
She told them she'd see them in court.
In an era when flight attendants were dismissed as 'trolley dollies' and smoking on aeroplanes was practically mandatory, Deborah Lawrie broke barriers to become Australia's first female pilot for a major commercial airline, fighting against absurd gender discrimination and prejudice to pave the way for equal opportunity in a male-dominated industry.
In this candid, cheeky, jaw-dropping memoir, she explains her journey from being a young girl in 1950s Australia who was determined to fly to taking Ansett Airlines to court in a landmark High Court battle - and winning. Now inducted into the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame, Deborah Lawrie is the world's longest flying female airline pilot. This is her true story.
Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 15, 2026
Touching the Sky is an autobiographical account of an “Australian trailblazer who became the longest flying female airline pilot in the world”.
Deborah Lawrie’s story is remarkable and certainly needs to be told. She realised her ambition to fly commercial airliners at a time rife with sexual discrimination, in a completely male dominated industry. However, the writing was stolid and at times pedestrian. This is a true ‘David and Goliath’ tale that resonates within living memory for many Australians, especially women. The way forward for the women of today was hard fought by those like Lawrie.
I could not help feeling that this awe inspiring story would have been better handed to a biographer, say, the likes of Helen Garner, who might’ve made the story come alive, and fly.
Deborah Lawrie’s story is remarkable and certainly needs to be told. She realised her ambition to fly commercial airliners at a time rife with sexual discrimination, in a completely male dominated industry. However, the writing was stolid and at times pedestrian. This is a true ‘David and Goliath’ tale that resonates within living memory for many Australians, especially women. The way forward for the women of today was hard fought by those like Lawrie.
I could not help feeling that this awe inspiring story would have been better handed to a biographer, say, the likes of Helen Garner, who might’ve made the story come alive, and fly.
June 23, 2026
What an incredible woman and an awesome career. Loved this book.
April 23, 2026
A engaging and interesting memoir that I can highly recommend. I remember the court battle from newspapers at the time as Deborah took on Ansett for her right to fly commercial aircraft. All young women should read this and understand how hard we all fought to have equal rights and pay and why we are still fighting
April 30, 2026
Physical book. Purchased in Australia. Engaging read, well written. Remarkable story of a courage woman breaking barriers.
June 19, 2026
Incredibly inspiring. Deb’s story is one everyone should read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews