35 Facts About Female Aviators

Pioneers in Aviation

Female aviators have made significant contributions to the field of aviation. Their courage and determination have paved the way for future generations.

1. Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932. Her journey took 14 hours and 56 minutes.

2. Bessie Coleman was the first African American woman to earn a pilot's license in 1921. She had to travel to France to achieve this due to racial discrimination in the U.S.

3. Jacqueline Cochran was the first woman to break the sound barrier in 1953. She flew a North American F-86 Sabre jet.

4. Harriet Quimby became the first American woman to earn a pilot's license in 1911. She also flew across the English Channel in 1912.

5. Raymonde de Laroche was the first woman in the world to receive a pilot's license in 1910. She was a French aviator.

Breaking Barriers

These women broke barriers and set records, showing that gender should not limit one's dreams.

6. Ellen Church was the first female flight attendant in 1930. She was also a registered nurse and a licensed pilot.

7. Willa Brown was the first African American woman to hold both a commercial and private pilot's license. She co-founded the National Airmen's Association of America.

8. Nancy Harkness Love organized the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) during World War II. This group of female pilots ferried military aircraft.

9. Ann Baumgartner Carl was the first American woman to fly a jet aircraft. She flew a Bell YP-59A in 1944.

10. Jerrie Mock was the first woman to fly solo around the world in 1964. Her journey covered 22,860 miles.

Modern Trailblazers

Modern female aviators continue to inspire and achieve remarkable feats in aviation.

11. Eileen Collins was the first female Space Shuttle pilot and commander. She flew the Space Shuttle in 1995 and commanded it in 1999.

12. Patty Wagstaff is a renowned aerobatic pilot. She won the U.S. National Aerobatic Championship three times.

13. Julie Payette is a Canadian astronaut who flew on two Space Shuttle missions. She later became the Governor General of Canada.

14. Sally Ride was the first American woman in space. She flew on the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983.

15. Kalpana Chawla was the first woman of Indian origin in space. She flew on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997.

Military Aviators

Women have also made significant contributions to military aviation.

16. Jeannie Leavitt was the first female fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. She flew the F-15E Strike Eagle.

17. Martha McSally was the first American woman to fly in combat. She flew the A-10 Thunderbolt II in Iraq.

18. Nicole Malachowski was the first female pilot to join the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. She flew the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

19. Kim Campbell received the Distinguished Flying Cross for her actions in Iraq. She safely landed her A-10 Thunderbolt II after it was heavily damaged.

20. Lori Robinson was the first woman to command a major Unified Combatant Command. She led the U.S. Northern Command.

Aviation Innovators

These women have contributed to aviation through innovation and leadership.

21. Emily Howell Warner was the first female captain of a U.S. airline. She flew for Frontier Airlines in 1976.

22. Bonnie Tiburzi was the first female pilot for a major U.S. airline. She joined American Airlines in 1973.

23. Tammie Jo Shults safely landed Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 after an engine failure in 2018. She was one of the first female fighter pilots in the U.S. Navy.

24. Beverley Bass was the first female captain of a commercial airline. She flew for American Airlines.

25. Mary Barr was the first woman to fly a Boeing 747. She flew for Pan American World Airways.

International Achievements

Women around the world have also made their mark in aviation.

26. Sabiha Gökçen was the first female combat pilot. She flew for Turkey in the 1930s.

27. Lidiya Litvyak was a Soviet fighter pilot during World War II. She was one of the top female aces with 12 confirmed kills.

28. Hanna Reitsch was a German test pilot during World War II. She was the first woman to fly a helicopter.

29. Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space. She flew on Vostok 6 in 1963.

30. Chiaki Mukai was the first Japanese woman in space. She flew on two Space Shuttle missions.

Record Setters

These women set records that continue to inspire future aviators.

31. Geraldine "Jerrie" Fredritz Mock set the record for the first woman to fly solo around the world. Her journey took 29 days.

32. Sheila Scott set over 100 aviation records. She flew solo around the world in 1966.

33. Louise Thaden won the Bendix Trophy Race in 1936. She was the first woman to win this transcontinental air race.

34. Ruth Nichols set world records for speed, altitude, and distance. She was the first woman to fly a jet across the Atlantic.

35. Elinor Smith was the youngest licensed pilot in the world at age 16. She set multiple endurance and altitude records.

Celebrating Female Aviators

Female aviators have made incredible strides in aviation history. From Amelia Earhart's daring transatlantic flight to Bessie Coleman's groundbreaking achievements, these women have shattered barriers and inspired countless others. Their contributions have not only advanced aviation but also paved the way for future generations of women in STEM fields.

Recognizing their accomplishments helps us appreciate the challenges they faced and the perseverance they showed. These trailblazers remind us that determination and passion can overcome any obstacle. As we continue to celebrate their legacy, let's encourage more young women to pursue their dreams in aviation and beyond.

By sharing these stories, we honor their legacy and inspire future aviators. Female pilots have proven that the sky is not the limit—it's just the beginning. Let's keep their spirit alive and support the next wave of women ready to take flight.