What do you think of the competitions that the women participated in?

What do you think of the competitions that the women participated in? Why do you feel they were so compelled to take part? Why do you feel the events' backers put conditions on the events, potentially making them more difficult or dangerous? 

I was much more drawn to the racing events that the long distance record setting events. It's the difference of competing against others verses competing with oneself. Since Lindbergh had set his record, the fly girls wanted to do that also. But there is no greater thrill to have a fast plane and beat the guys. Also, by traveling to different places, the fly girls had to learn each airport and weather conditions to compete. How courageous!

I was struck by the lack of safety restrictions that caused many deaths of both male and female aviators. The restrictions placed on only the female aviators were really not for their safety, but to support and reinforce the prevailing attitude that women could not handle the competitions either mentally or physically. The competitions were interesting and necessary in the development of long distanceairline business.

I found the competitions for both the men and the women to be fascinating. The danger to the pilots as well as to spectators was so high. I don’t believe any sport this risky would be sanctioned today. The triangle racing around pylons was described very well and sounded so reckless. I was surprised their weren’t more accidents.

The competitions were both exciting and terrifying. They reminded me too much of the barbaric contests in the Collosseum. There was little concern for safety. Pilots, both women and men, were subjected to all manner of accidents and mechanical failures.

They seemed very risky and unsafe yet for the women who flying was a calling to them they were willing to risk everything despite with the thought that it wouldn't happen to them and also the fact that they so wanted to beat a male because women were not thought very kindly of and they had everything to prove they were just as worthy of winning as a man was.

You certainly had to have a lot of confidence to participate in these competitive events. Agree that the lack of safety measures and the experimental building practices created much more risk. These women were unusual for the time period of this book. Their participation should be admired, yet the men could not accept the challenge by the female pilots.

I say good for them. Very brave women. It was surely a dangerous sport.

They really believed in what they were doing. They felt if the men could do then so could they.

The women faced many dangers, not only the flights themselves, but people who wished to sabotage the planes. The women felt confident in themselves and continued to fly, often raising the money themselves while men had money handed to them.