At the start of World War II it quickly became apparent that all the trained and in-training RAF and Royal Navy pilots would be needed for combat roles and the important task of ferrying freshly built aircraft from factory to Maintenance Units for armament and radio fitting or moving them between airfields would need to be given to non-RAF and RN pilots. As a result civilian pilots were recruited and the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) was formed. The ATA web site explains the history in detail. Initially only male pilots were recruited but within a few months this was expanded to include women who were qualified civilian pilots. At the FlyToThePast 2011 airshow at Oxford airport were lucky enough to meet two of the former ATA female pilots and interview them. Joy Lofthouse joined the ATA in 1943 when they started recruiting people who would be trained to fly as all qualified civilian pilots had already been recruited and were in service! In the interview Joy talks about how the women ATA pilots progressed from being allowed to fly single engine training aircraft to single seat fighter aircraft (Hurricane and Spitfire), twin engine aircraft and in some cases even 4 engine heavy bombers (Lancaster). She also talks about how important the Ferry Pilot Notes were in helping explain handing characteristics. Very important when you cannot be trained to fly a single seat aircraft. Every flight will be solo – even the first one!