Pilot Profile: Billy Bishop

Canadian ace Air Marshal William "Billy" Bishop played a key role in WWI and WWII. He also recruited for the Royal Canadian Air Force and advocated on behalf of the British Common Air Training Plan.  Born on February 8, 1894, in Ontario, Billy Bishop learned to thrive at a young age in sports focused on individual [...]

By |April 27th, 2018|Pilot Profile|Comments Off on Pilot Profile: Billy Bishop

Pilot Profile: Lydia Litvyak, the World’s First Female Fighter Ace

When the Third Reich invaded Russia on June 22, 1941, they brought with them more than 3 million soldiers in a matter of hours. The Germans were expecting an easy victory against the Untermensch— the Russian people they believed were inferior. However, what the Germans faced was a ferocious army not just of strong men [...]

By |April 13th, 2018|Pilot Profile|Comments Off on Pilot Profile: Lydia Litvyak, the World’s First Female Fighter Ace

Pilot Profile: Bessie Coleman

We’ve briefly highlighted Bessie Coleman in the past, but her accomplishments as an aviator warrant a full pilot profile. Lovingly known as “Queen Bess,” Bessie Coleman had an impressive career in aviation and worked hard to earn her license. Becoming Bessie Born on January 26 in 1892, Bessie would grow up to become the first [...]

By |March 30th, 2018|Pilot Profile|Comments Off on Pilot Profile: Bessie Coleman

Jimmy Doolittle: Pioneering Pilot, Aeronautical Engineer, and Military Strategist

Some people do little. But this Doolittle did a lot.   James Harold "Jimmy" Doolittle was born on December 14, 1896, in Alameda, California. However, he spent much of his childhood in Nome, Alaska, where his father was a gold prospector and carpenter. While living in Alaska, Jimmy learned how to fight and pilot a [...]

By |March 2nd, 2018|General Aviation|Comments Off on Jimmy Doolittle: Pioneering Pilot, Aeronautical Engineer, and Military Strategist

Pilot Profile: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Born in Greece, Prince Philip has gone through a lot in life—to say the least—and has a truly remarkable story. Coronation portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He is the oldest living great-great-grandchild of Queen Victoria, the oldest-ever member of the British royal family, the longest-serving consort of [...]

By |February 16th, 2018|General Aviation, Pilot Profile|Comments Off on Pilot Profile: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Eddie Rickenbacker: Ace of Aces, Race Car Driver, Air Transportation Pioneer

Not every fighter pilot was considered an ace during World War I, let alone the ace of aces. But for Eddie Rickenbacker, that’s precisely what he was. An Early Life (With a Purpose) Edward Vernon Rickenbacker was born on October 8, 1890 in Columbus, Ohio. His parents were German-speaking Swiss immigrants and he was the [...]

By |January 19th, 2018|Pilot Profile|Comments Off on Eddie Rickenbacker: Ace of Aces, Race Car Driver, Air Transportation Pioneer

Pilot Profile: Noel Wien

Noel Wien, a Minnesota native, is largely credited with introducing the airplane to Alaska. Wien took his first ever airplane ride in May of 1921 at 22-years-old. He learned to fly shortly after and relocated to Anchorage, Alaska at 25-years-old with his first aircraft—an open-cockpit Standard J-1 biplane. He performed stunts and gave passenger rides [...]

By |January 5th, 2018|Pilot Profile|Comments Off on Pilot Profile: Noel Wien

Britain’s First Female Pilot: Hilda Hewlett

Hilda Hewlett has the title of Britain’s first female pilot, the first woman in Britain to earn her pilots license, and the owner of the U.K.’s first flying school. Known as “Grace Bird,” that doesn’t include all of the accomplishments she’s made during her life. A woman ahead of her time: a budding aviatrix [...]

By |December 22nd, 2017|Aviation History|Comments Off on Britain’s First Female Pilot: Hilda Hewlett

Lilian Bland: Ireland’s First Female Pilot Could Do It All

In reality, though, Lilian Bland was truly anything BUT bland. It’s true that Lilian Bland was the first woman to fly a plane in Ireland. But it’s also true that she was so much more than just a pilot. She was the first woman in the world to both design and build her very own [...]

By |July 3rd, 2017|Aviation History|Comments Off on Lilian Bland: Ireland’s First Female Pilot Could Do It All

Hanna Reitsch: Germany’s Most Famous Aviatrix was a Star of the Nazi Party

March 8 is International Women’s Day—a day marked by celebrating all the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. As a woman, I would like to emphasize the importance of recognizing women for their achievements and contributions to history and the general betterment of society. Women have pretty much always been involved in aviation, [...]

By |March 8th, 2017|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Hanna Reitsch: Germany’s Most Famous Aviatrix was a Star of the Nazi Party