Mary Gaffaney

Mary gave me my Commercial rating check ride in 1964 at the Old Tamiami airport and I still have her sign-off in my logbook. She was calm and even handed during the ride and explained everything she wanted to see in the next maneuver which made me calm too. After it was over she congratulated me and wished me well in my career whatever it was to be. A few months later I was hired by Eastern Airlines where eventually I checked out as B-757 captain just as the machinist's strike went down...

In 1968 I received my CFI and CFII at Kendall. Didn´t see much of Mary though. She was either practicing or going to shows. Great experience

I will be submitting Mary's name for induction into the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame. If anyone would like to contribute their thoughts about why she should be a candidate for induction, Send by my email: [email protected]

I was attending Embry Riddle in 1972 with a classmate. Steve was privileged to have Mary as an aerobatics instructor flying in her Pitts. The lessons I took with were certainly flavored with Mary's talent. In 72 we got to see the World Aerobic on their return from competition. I miss seeing Steve his years as a senior captain with US Air kept us apart

Because of Mary, I´ve had a wonderful life up to my present 87 years. Obviously flying was my life. Ben Joannou

I remember seeing Mary flying at the Reading Airshow (and other airshows) in the 70's. I have multiple photos of her and her yellow and black Pitts biplane. She was a groundbreaker and a pilot's pilot and left a positive mark on aviation.

She was.my instructor for my cfi certificate! She was the ultimate professional. I loved her.

She was my check pilot for my original pilot license. A privilege to have her sign my log.

Thank you Mary for my training and the start of a wonderful career in aviation. You will be missed.