It's easy to spot Ena Monk's plane in a crowd at Rotorua Airport.
It's the bright red one with sheep skin rugs on the seats and a red and white lacey garter hanging from her sun visor.
She might be a hardcore pilot but she's a woman - and proud.
The sameCherokee 140 four-seater plane used to be pink with lace curtains.
Mrs Monk is proof that despite what some might think, there's nothing butch about female pilots.
This weekend 80 classy women from all over the country are in Rotorua for the New Zealand Association of Women in Aviation annual rally.
It's the 48th rally and only the second time it's come to Rotorua - with the last in the 1970s.
There will be pilots who fly commercial aircraft, helicopters, microlight aircraft, fixed wings, gliders and their own hobby planes.
Today they will take part in the unveiling of a statue at Rotorua Airport to commemorate local-born aviatrix Jean Batten.
Tomorrow they will take part in several competitions, including a timed test to find several defects on a plane. If the weather is fine, about five of the pilots will do an aerobatics display above the Eastern Ridge, opposite the airport.
The rally finishes on Sunday night with a presentation dinner at Rotorua Racecourse.
Mrs Monk started flying Tiger Moths in the 1950s - became hooked and has made flying her hobby since.
Working with her husband, Graham, in his Tutanekai St dental surgery for 23 years, Mrs Monk has consistently flown at least once every 10 days.
Refusing to reveal her age, Mrs Monk said those who know people's ages tend to put them in certain categories.
She knows of a man in his 80s who is still flying planes - something she hopes she can so if she keeps passing her medical examinations.
