Wally Funk for Space Exploration

from AviNation Magazine Winter 2021

Flying today. Soaring tomorrow

Wally Funk for By: Tori Helseth

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As a new female pilot, there are many female aviators that have inspired me to fly. Katherine Stinson, Beryl Markham, Patty Wagstaf, and others. An aviator I’ve had the pleasure to learn about and admire for her grit and spirit is Wally Funk. I had the pleasure speaking with Loretta Hall, a well known author who is writing a biography with Wally Funk about her life and career as a female aviator. It was a team effort when it came to dreaming up the book. Loretta, being a known author, and Wally, having an inspiring story to be told, came together to collaborate on the biography.

Loretta says “[Wally] has done some amazing things in her life and accomplished things that were very unusual for women to accomplish at the time she did them.”

Mary Wallace Funk, flying professionally since 1957, and still flying!

Wally Funk was a child when she took interest in aviation. As a child Wally was inspired by other aviators such as Amelia Earhart, but Loretta says “ Her Mother was her biggest inspiration. ”Her mother was very supportive of Wally’s pursuit of flight. Wally was constantly building model aircraft; her mother just knew she was going to fly. Wally got her pilot’s license in 1958. She got many certifications and ratings such as comercial, instrument, multi engine, and seaplane. She became a flight instructor at 20 years old. Wally also participated in some air races. Wally Funk, Like many women, wanted to go to space, but no women had been to space yet. Men were seen as the primary source of physical strength and mental capabilities at the time. The men in charge of the NASA program said these attributes were needed in space exploration.

Some people like Jackie Cochran and Dr. Randolph Lovelace, believed otherwise. He was serving as chairman of NASA’s Special Advisory Committee. He thought women would be a great advancement of space exploration. In such ways that they are smaller, lighter, and eat less food making them ideal space explorers. So, Dr. Lovelace decided to privately fund the first women in space program. Women were intrigued by the space program, including Jerrie Cobb, 1959 Woman of the Year in Aviation.

Of course, Wally signed up.

Introducing the Mercury 13

The women enlisted in the training are known as the Mercury 13. All of the women were skilled airplane pilots. At age 21, Wally was the youngest of the women in the “Women in Space program”.

To become an astronaut, there are many tests one has to endure to test physical and mental capabilities. Loretta and Wally will explain more in the book. Doctors had to take several x-rays, reflex tests, provide extensive hearing tests, and more to ensure these women had what it took to become astronauts. The women in the space program did their tests individually or in pairs, whereas the men all together. Wally Funk excelled at many of those tests, even excelling higher than the men on some tests.

The Mercury 13 women had to endure vertigo; that sounds unpleasant. The test was done by injecting

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very cold water into the woman’s ears. According to those who have had vertigo it is indeed very unpleasant. The women had proven that they physically and mentally had what it took to become astronauts. Even their piloting skills were top notch. Things were looking good for these women.

No Space for the 13

Enduring all the trials to become astronauts, Wally nor any of the Mercury 13 were picked for space exploration. Unfortunately for the Mercury 13, there were still those who did not want women involved in the space program. Male astronauts such as John Glenn, a member of the Mercury Seven, argued against their space advancement.

Loretta says that Wally still hopes of going to space, she has not given up! She has taken tests and simulations in the hopes of still getting there. She has collaborated with private companies in hopes of getting to space. Even though Wally wasn’t picked to go to space, she was able to accomplish much more. She taught hundreds of student pilots how to fly. She participated in the Pacific Air Races and the Palms to Pines Air Races placing well. In 1975 Wally won the Pacific Air Race from San Diego, California to Santa Rosa, California against 80 participating competitors.

She became the first female Federal Aviation Administration safety inspector in the 1970s, as well as the first female Accident Inspector. One of Wally’s favorite sayings is “the only thing A Woman needs to compete in a man’s world is Ability.”

Women Finally Advance to Space

Women were not considered to be launched into space until astronaut Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983 on STS-7, and Eileen Collins was the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle during STS-63 in 1995. Wally and some of the other Mercury 13 were special guests for Collins’ launch. Both of these events were great historical moments for women aviators!

Loretta Hall and Wally Funk’s book is out and can be purchased on Amazon. Check out some of Loretta’s other books such as Space Pioneers: In Their Own Words, Out of this World: New Mexico’s Contributions to Space Travel, The Complete Space Buff’s Bucket List, and Miguel and Michelle Visit Spaceport America.