Magnificent Lilian Bland blazed a trail for independence of women in her plane of bamboo

Against popular wisdom and flying a plane made from bamboo, wire and bike handlebars, a Co Antrim woman blazed a sky trail for aviation and for the independence of women, writes Bette Browne

Againats popular wisdom and flying a plane made from bamboo, wire and bike handlebars, a Co Antrim woman blazed a sky trail for aviation and for the independence of women, writes Bette Browne

A daring young woman in her flying machine soared into aviation history above her Co Antrim home 109 years ago. Lilian Bland became the first woman in the world to design, build, and pilot a plane.