Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on February 18, 1956.
Washington Township Girl Apt Pupil In Air
By ROLLIE BERNHART
Judy Lindberg, 17-year-old, Washington Township High school senior, is an apt pupil.
A week ago, after 45 minutes of instruction in a dual control plane in which she had never before riffen, Judy took off and did a solo over the Porter County Municipal airport “for 15 minutes”, the first time any girl has done this feat at the county field.
To make it even more remarkable, she did it the hard way, taking off over a snow packed runway on skis for the first time, and landing the craft as “lightly as a feather.”
Adding to the ability of the Washington township girl to take instruction aptly, is the surprising fact that her “teacher” has been her father, Claude.
Where it has been a proven fact that parents rarely can teach their offsprings the art of driving a car, let alone piloting a plane, Judy’s father said that he has never lost patience during instruction periods. “She just seemed willing to learn, and has never had fear of being in the air.”
Judy simply says, in explanation of her father never having to “bawl her out” over some infraction while up in the air, that the motors make so much noise, she would not have heard him anyway.”
8,000 Hours In Air
She comes by her flying ability naturally. Her father, a former instructor and manager at Urschel field, and currently teaching with the Porter County Flying club at the county airport, has had more than 8,000 hours flying time.
Judy has been training in a Piper cub plane for about one year. As far as she is concerned flying is just a hobby. Although she would like to become a member of the county flying club, the organization’s by-laws contain no provision for the opposite sex on its roster.
When Judy is not flying, she can be found practicing with the “Washington Township Blue Notes,” a championship singing octet which will be vieing for its second consecutive state title at the Indianapolis finals today.
Mrs. Lindberg has the utmost confidence in the ability of her daughter and husband. “I am going to be Judy’s first passenger when she gets her pilot’s license. If her father thinks she’s good enough to take over, I’m willing to take a chance, too.”
Girl, 17, Solos In Plane
JUDY LINDBERG, 17, of Washington township, is at controls of a plane in which she recently did a solo at the Porter County municipal airport, the first girl to do this feat at the county field. Her father and instructor, Claude, is seated at her right.
Father Is her Instructor
JUDY, senior at Washington school and member of the 1955 state high school championship octet, the Blue Notes, here takes propping instruction from her father.