Webpage by Greg Weir
Jean Burns is born in Melbourne in December 1919. She had another sister, born eighteen months later, who died in infancy, leaving Jean an only child. Her father, Robert Burns, was the son of a Scottish immigrant and worked in the merchant navy. He married Jean's mother in Cardiff, Wales, during the First World War, and the family moved to Australia in January 1919.
Jean joined the Junior Royal Victorian Aero Club at around fourteen, and nearing seventeen began flying lessons. In early 1937 she obtained her pilot's licence at Essendon Aerodrome, becoming Australia's youngest female pilot.
Jean's main interest was always flying, but a bet between fellow club pilots would change history. In her own words:
Jean's historic first jump took place at Essendon Aerodrome in Melbourne on Sunday 21 November 1937, from a height of 3,200 feet.
After Jean's first jump, the Department of Civil Aviation stepped in and said, “You can't do that, but you won't be prosecuted this time.” A letter followed, stating that Jean could continue to jump provided she followed the rules laid down — Jean doubted there had been any rules prior to that. She was also told she would have to pass a test demonstrating she could pack a parachute.
Felix Mueller gave Jean a crash course in packing a parachute, and an examiner from the Department of Civil Aviation duly arrived. Jean passed her examination and from that day on was able to make jumps without the threat of prosecution.
At the Royal Aero Club of NSW's Anniversary Air Pageant, held at Mascot Aerodrome on 26 February 1938, Lord Wakehurst congratulates Miss Jean Burns and Miss Esther L'Estrange.
Jean's landing at Mascot Aerodrome in 1938 was a little rough, but the attention she received afterwards was rather over the top considering the only injuries she suffered were a few cuts and abrasions.
In July 2006, Jean got to meet a lady whose career she had followed for most of her life but whom she had never had the opportunity to meet: Australia's first female commercial pilot, Nancy Bird. Nancy had written to Jean back in 1943, when she was contacting women pilots across Australia hoping to get an aircraft ferrying service going — but Jean was expecting her first child at the time and was unable to assist. That letter was the only contact the two women had, until this reunion in July 2006.
As part of the reunion, Jean also got to meet Howard Morris, whose father had piloted the DH4 from which Jean made her first parachute jump. The group had afternoon tea at Qantas Headquarters, which topped off a lovely day for all.
