Early women fliers obviously took risks. What's the most reckless thing you've done, and how did it turn out?

Early women fliers obviously took risks. What's the most reckless thing you've done, and how did it turn out?

Sky diving, after the first several times, I finally got more comfortable and enjoyed the "rush" more. I finally gave up when a close friend didn't make it. Then I began racing sand cars in the desert, loved it. Again, gave it up because I got tired of the men ribbing me and they were pretty cruel to me on the trail, too much reckless driving. So, the biggest event I participate in today is watching others have fun!

I don’t know that taking risks and being reckless are the same thing. I took risks leaving a good job to go to law school and later leaving an ok legal job to take a more difficult, but much better job. Neither was reckless, both were risks. Both risks turned out quite well. The opportunity to do these things would not have been available to me without women who took those risks in the fifties.

Physically risky things have not attracted my interest or passion, but the physical risks these women took helped move aviation to the level it is today. Many physical risks people currently take are often just personally dangerous, but will not advance any area like these women advanced air transportation.

Pylon racing. I tried it once and did not like the lack of control that I had over my safety. Planes diving and coming too close to me around the pylons was not my cup of tea.

I’m just not a “taking risks” kind of person! I liked what paulagb said, though, about taking risks and being reckless not being the same thing. I suffered from OCD and anxiety for many years as a young woman, so doing even normal things seemed, at that time, like taking risks. So now, I’m happy just being happy.

I try not to live dangerously.