Citation

Dille JR. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 1999; 70(10): 1038-1040.

Affiliation

JRobtDille@aol.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Aerospace Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10519485

Abstract

Women's efforts to fly as military pilots during World War I were unsuccessful. However, their numbers and achievements increased and, in 1929, they formed the Ninety-Nines and held the first Women's Air Derby, where male pilots escorted them and mechanics were available. In May 1930, England's Amy Johnson became the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia. She was flying for the Air Transport Auxiliary in England when she was killed in an aircraft accident in 1941. New Zealander Jean Batten set new records over the same course in May 1934, from England to New Zealand in Oct. 1936 and from Australia to England in Oct. 1937. Routes were typically via Singapore as were round-the-world efforts by Amelia Earhart (1937), Joan Merriam Smith (1964), Sheila Scott (1966), and Ann Pellegreno (1967). Accounts frequently mention severe weather including monsoon storms. Adequacy of flight planning has been questioned for some. Jerrie Mock, the first woman to fly around the world alone, in 1964, was asked by Saigon Radio if she had a man aboard. Further successes and independence for women in aviation have been slow, but steady.

Language: en