Natfly at Narromine was, as usual, a great event, with
great flying, great fun, and of course great people, one
of whom I was lucky enough to meet and chat to was an
amazing young pilot, a young woman who has discovered
flying and has managed to build her life around it. An
achiever extraordinaire!!! I hope you will enjoy reading
about this exceptional young woman.
Dianne Pierpoint, a native Victorian, whose childhood
was one of activity and freedom, where the atmosphere
of 'you can do it' was a routine way of life. Dianne's
mum Bev, an active and hands on woman, was a great role
model, as was dad, Ern, an auto tech teacher, motor bike
rider, and aviator who is another great example of this
way of thinking. So Dianne grew up with mechanical skills
and 'doing things' as a normal way of life.
Dianne is a massage therapist with her own practice,
an accomplished skydiver with 269 jumps to her credit
and a qualified parachute rigger, who also enjoys white
water rafting. About seven years ago, a casual comment
from Ern, "If you got your ultralight licence we
could fly together," set Dianne on the path of three-axis
flying, but the sight of a microlight trike poster on
a hangar wall, it was instant love. "If I'm going
to fly, that's the machine for me", set Dianne in
search of a microlight instructor. So with a TIF at Porepunkah,
Dianne discovered the wonder, the freedom, the control,
the joy of microlight flying and life would never be the
same again.
After having to 'wait' (impatiently) for her first lesson
(instructors away), Dianne began lessons with Steve and
Lisa Ruffles at Porepunkah and was enraptured. Further
training with John Oliver at Point Cook completed her
certificate and Dianne's flying began in earnest, as Dianne
had purchased a trike three months into her training.
To quote Dianne, "The air was available and I was
there". Microlight flying is now an important component
in Dianne's life style and she is airborne at every opportunity.
She also maintains her own aircraft. She says flying changed
and added new dimensions to her life, given her 'other'
aspects, of being able to 'see' differently enriching
her life so much.
Eventually, in 2003 Dianne experienced a very unique
event, when she 'did finally fly the skies with Ern',
each in their own aircraft, appreciating and enjoying
a very special bond. Personal comfort whilst flying was
the catalyst for Dianne's next direction. Utilising her
skills in design and textiles (another skill acquired
from Bev), she created some bar mitts for herself. They
were just great, 'now I need a knee pad,' and so onto
trike covers, gear bags, wing covers. Dianne created all
the articles that she needed.
As the items were so well designed and made, other flyers
began to ask her to make articles for them and gradually
a business began to grow. Her products are so efficient
and practical and to hear Dianne discuss her design process,
her understanding of the final use of them, of how the
seams have to be correct for water flow and wind direction,
ease of use of the product, and all the other little understandings
that make her work such great quality and purpose orientated.
Her imagination is unlimited, you name it Dianne can design
and make it. She is undaunted by the size or scale of
what is required. Dianne's creative skills know no barriers.
As Dianne's accessories business grows, she is able
to employ Bev to help her. As well as being involved in
the manufacturing side, Bev also takes care of the website
(www.punkinheadair.com.au) and is Dianne's secretary.
Their business philosophy is innovative concepts, great
design and to create well manufactured quality products.
Always keen for a challenge, Dianne hopes to one day build
her own three-axis aircraft (she can already fly them)
to enable her 'to really get around when I need to and
to fly trikes for fun and recreation'.
Summarizing her life philosophy Dianne explained she
used 'big picture - small bites'. 'Small bites are achievable,
and then suddenly they are the big picture.' Her 'give
it a go attitude' is just so inspiring and refreshing.
Amazingly, another project Dianne is currently 'hands
on' involved with is extending her home!! This will allow
more space for her creative capacity and room to expand
her thriving and growing business.
Dianne jokes about her 'snail blazer outfit', her travelling
'shop' (her van) towing her treasured trike, when she
attends air shows and flying events. Please introduce
yourself to this delightful, talented, motivated young
'Winged Wonder Woman' and you will be truly inspired.
