Ms Wilson, from Corlette, published her memoir Conquering Clouds in March 2022. The book details her life, stories and accomplishments during her 47-year career in ballooning.

The release of the book has been met with high praise.

Libby Harkness, the ghost-writer of Turia Pitt's best-selling memoir Everything to Live For, described Ms Wilson's book as "an unputdownable memoir of a remarkable woman".

"This book has it all - from impoverished childhood, death-defying adventures, failed romances and international fame as a balloonist, Ruth proves she conquered far more than clouds," she said.

Ms Wilson's author talk at Salamander Bay Library on May 2 was so popular that the room was pushed to capacity.

The aviator said she wanted to provide an opportunity for those who were unable to attend her Salamander Bay talk "due to unavailability of space" to hear her speak, which was why she is hosting another talk but this time at Raymond Terrace Library.

The talk and book signing will run from 10.30am to 11.30am on Friday, June 24.

Complementary morning tea will be served at 10.15am.

Attendance is free but bookings are required. Phone the library on (02) 4988 0111.

Ruth Wilson, who moved back to Corlette in 2014, began her 47-year flying career in 1975 with her first balloon flight in New Zealand.

"When I stepped into my first balloon basket in Auckland in 1975 and left the ground I felt passionately that I had found my destiny," she said. "I had my first balloon ordered four months later and have owned seven balloons since."

Ms Wilson's incredible aviation career, spanning from 1975 to now, marks her as the first female balloon pilot to not only compete in many prestigious races across the world, but to be crowned a champion.

Ms Wilson won the inaugural Australian Ballooning Championship in 1979.

She went on to represent Australia in a further five world championships and other international competitions.

Ms Wilson is the only Australian female pilot to command a hydrogen balloon twice in the history of the prestigious Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett.

In February this year, Ms Wilson was presented with the prestigious Swiss Federation Aéronautique Internationale Paul Tissandier Diploma for 'serving the cause of aviation', in particular sporting aviation, by Civil Aviation Safety Authority director Pip Spence in Sydney in February.

In March, Ms Wilson's book, a memoir titled Conquering Clouds, was released.

Conquering Clouds charts pivotal moments and experiences throughout Ms Wilson's life that lead to her most daring adventure in 2018, which is outlined in detail in chapter 56.

At the age of 75, Ms Wilson became the first Australian female pilot-in-command to cross the snow-covered Swiss Alps and the Italian Dolomites - all done at night.

Ms Wilson flew a hydrogen balloon named Bernadette, lifting off at night from Bern Switzerland to climb to 15,000 feet and fly the length of the Swiss Alps.

After 33 hours without sleep and their water bottles frozen, Ms Wilson and her navigator Tanys McCarron landed in an Italian vineyard.

In her book, Ms Wilson also recounts her emotional journey with her brother Ron, a Vietnam Veteran that took his life.

Above all, Ms Wilson hopes her memoir might discover her biological father who remains a mystery to her.

Read Ms Wilson's interview with the Examiner about her career and release of Conquering Clouds here.

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