CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Do the names Lindbergh and Yeager sound familiar? What about Anne Lindbergh and Jeana Yeager? These women, along with many others, played important roles in the advancement of aviation throughout its history.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh, wife of Charles Lindbergh, served as her husband's navigator when he set a new transcontinental speed record in 1930; she was seven months pregnant at the time. Lindbergh earned her own wings in 1931 and continued to fly survey flights with her husband to document possible routes for commercial aviation.
Amelia Earhart is a name most people know. In addition to her many records, including the first female flight across the Atlantic in 1932 and the first solo flight from Hawaii to the continental United States in 1935, Earhart founded the Ninety-Nines, the first women pilots' organization, and served as its president. Courage and spunk earned Earhart a lifetime of flying fame and her tragic disappearance in 1937 during the last 7,000 miles of a 29,000-mile around-the-world flight earned Earhart a place in American's hearts as an inspiration to women and men alike.
As record-setting goes, there are few pilots more accomplished than Jacqueline Cochran. Originally a beautician, Cochran earned her pilot's license after just three weeks of flying lessons in 1932. During World War II, she felt that women pilots could be of service, but the federal government initially declined the idea. So, Cochran led a group of women ferrying aircraft for the British in 1941.
By 1942, the Army requested Cochran's return to organize the Women's Flying Training Detachment. This organization, and the Women's Auxiliary Ferry Squadron, led by Nancy Love, joined to form the Women Airforce Service Pilots. Disbanded in 1944, the WASPS received recognition and official military status in 1977. After serving in WWII, Cochran kept flying and was the first woman to break the sound barrier. At the time of her death, she had earned more speed, altitude and distance records than any man or woman in aviation history.
Jeana Yeager, no relation to Chuck Yeager, broke multiple records in 1986 with pilot Dick Rutan when they flew around the world nonstop without refueling. Their mission lasted nine days, three minutes and 44 seconds. Today she continues to travel around the world speaking and giving presentations for aviation education.
You can learn more about these and other women aviators like acrobatic pilot Patty Wagstaff and space shuttle commander Col. Eileen Collins, by visiting the Smithsonian Institute's National Air and Space Museum website at: http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/aero/women_aviators/womenavsp.htm.
Other websites to visit:
http://www.ninety-nines.org/bios.html
http://www.wasp-wwii.org/
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/aviationpilots/Women_Pilots_Women_in_Aviation.htm