Women have been known for their intelligence, hardwork and exceptional technical skills. They have risen to shine brightly in several fields of education, engineering, science, technology, medicine, research, aviation and more. Otherwise dominated by male counterparts, women picked up the flying skills, manoeuvring the aircrafts and undertaking numerous missions in evacuation, transporting crucial aid and rescue operations. History stands to the testimony showcasing top 10 women in aviation industry today.
Lets explore some of the most influential women in aviation industry today
1) Barbara Barrett
Barbara Barrett, an instrument-rated pilot, former Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, and Vice Chairman of the U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board, has been advocating for aviation issues locally, nationally, and worldwide for than 30 years. One of the top 10 women in aviation industry today, her fruitful passions has been expanding military chances for women, particularly for women pilots.
2) Sheila Widnall
From 1993 to 1997, Sheila Widnall was the first female secretary of the Air Force. She is considered as one of the top 10 women in aviation industry. Sheila was in charge of and empowered to handle all Department of the Air Force affairs, including hiring, planning, training, managing, providing logistical support, maintaining, and caring for employees.
3) Valentina Tereshkova
Valentina Tereshkova the Russian cosmonaut was the first woman to fly in space. Launched aboard Vostok 6 on June 16, 1963, she spent 48 orbits and 70 hours and 50 minutes in space, which is more than all of the US Mercury astronauts combined. Valentina is rightly counted in one of the top 10 women in aviation industry today.
4) Emily Howell Warner
When Frontier Airlines made the audacious decision to hire a woman pilot in January 1973, Emily became the first permanent female pilot for a scheduled US passenger airline. She joined the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) as its first female member in 1974. In 1976, she became the first female airline captain in the United States, flying a Twin Otter, thereby making it in top 10 women in aviation industry today.
5) Gloria Heath
WASP The B-26 was piloted by Gloria Heath, who tow airborne gunnery targets. She was one of the top ten women in the aviation industry today. International Flight Safety Foundation’s first members. Her efforts that led to the use of cockpit recorders for accident investigation, safety enhancements, and a worldwide satellite-assisted disaster/distress response system have earned her recognition on a global scale.
6) Edna Gardner Whyte
In 1931, Edna obtained her pilot’s license, and in 1932, she obtained her transport license. She started her own flight school and accumulated enough flight hours to be listed as one of the top ten women in aviation industry today. When she earned her helicopter rating, she became the tenth American woman to do so.
7) Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart was the first female passenger to fly across the Atlantic in 1928 and thus is regarded as one of the top ten women in aviation industry today. Although this brought her notoriety, it was by no means her greatest contribution to flying. In 1932, Amelia was the first woman pilot to fly alone across the Atlantic ocean. She made history in 1935 when she flew from Honolulu to Oakland alone over the Pacific. After two years, Amelia and her navigator Fred Noonan set out from Miami to fly eastward around the world.
On July 2, 1937, they were last spotted taking off from Lae, New Guinea, having travelled 22,000 kilometers. Her attitude toward achievement and failure can be summed up in the following quote: “Women must try to do things as men have tried.” She was a true inspiration to women. When they don’t succeed, it should only serve as a challenge to others.
8) Phoebe Omlie
In 1927, Phoebe became the first female to obtain a transport license. After winning the Dixie Derby Air Race in 1930, she went on to win the National Air Races in Cleveland in 1931, the year that women were allowed to compete. In order to assist the nation in preparing for World War II, she traveled to Washington, DC, as the Civil Aeronautics Authority’s (CAA) private aviation specialist. There, she selected flying schools that could be used as military flyer training facilities.
9) Gunjan Saxena
Gunjan is a former helicopter pilot and officer in the Indian Air Force. She enlisted in the IAF in 1996 and served in the Kargil War in 1999. In Kargil, she flew into a conflict zone. Evacuation of over 900 men, helping with reconnaissance and transporting supplies were her key responsibilities in Kargil region. She would later participate in the evacuation of more than 900 men from Kargil, both dead and wounded. Due to her outstanding contributions to the noble and holistic cause, Gunjan is counted as one of the top ten women in aviation industry today.
10) Bobbie Trout
In 1928, Bobbie obtained her pilot’s license. Elinor Smith lost the women’s endurance record to her in 1929, but she also set records for the first female all-night flight, the longest miles driven by a 60-horsepower engine, and the heaviest fuel takeoff ever. In November 1929, she and Elinor Smith set an endurance record of 42 hours and 3.5 minutes, which was also the first time a women’s team had attempted a refueling endurance record. She was the first female recipient of the Aero Club of Southern California’s Howard Hughes Memorial Award in 1996.
Recognizing the Flying Angels of Aviation World
Breaking the traditional barriers and countering the resistance from the society, women have showed exceptional skills, indomitable patience and undying hope of making it big and phenomenal aspect redefining the boundaries of women. They have not just flown in toughest of the conditions and displayed amazing courage to undertake and successfully execute some of the daring and most admired missions in the aviation history.
