QANTAS HONOURS AVIATION PIONEER

Qantas hosted a special 90th birthday celebration for Australia's

first female commercial pilot, Nancy Bird Walton, on Sunday night.

Around 200 guests gathered at the Qantas Heritage Collection at

Sydney Airport to honour the aviation pioneer.

Nancy Bird with Qantas Chairman Margaret Jackson and

Chief Executive Officer Geoff Dixon about to cut her birthday cake

Guests included astronaut Andy Thomas, who presented Nancy with

an autographed copy of her own book "My God It's A Woman" which

he took into Space on his final Shuttle Mission, media commentator

Alan Jones, aviator and entrepreneur Dick Smith, entertainer Kamahl, politicians, aviation industry leaders, business, community,

Defence and media representatives.

Special Guest Astronaut Andy Thomas (Centre)

During the event, the Chief Executive Officer Geoff Dixon announced that Qantas would name its first A380 after Ms Nancy Bird Walton.

The model of the Airbus 380 presented to Nancy when told the aircraft

would be named after her

"We believe that with the A380 set to revolutionise air travel, it is appropriate to honour Australia's aviation pioneers by carrying their names into the future," Mr Dixon said.