The first in flight

Today I celebrate the independence, bravery, adventure, and accomplishments of an aviation pioneer

This blogpost topic might surprise you today. You may know that April 16 is the birth date of Wilbur Wright. Wilbur, along with his brother Orville, launched into history books with the first ever manned powered flight. However, this date is also another important anniversary. Although Blanche Scott became the first woman pilot in 1910 when the plane that she was allowed to taxi mysteriously became airborne, America's first licensed female pilot was Harriet Quimby. On this date in 1912, Harriet Quimby, also a successful journalist, was the first woman to fly solo across the English channel. Bear with me as I tell her amazing story.

In October of 1910, Harriet Quimby met Matilde and John Moisant at an aviation exhibition. John and his brother, Alfred, ran an aviation school. Because the Wright Brothers did not teach women, Quimby convinced Alfred to teach her and his sister, Matilde, how to fly. It's been said that she originally intended to keep her flight lessons a secret, but eventually the press discovered that women were learning to fly and it became a big story. On August 1, 1911, Quimby took her pilot's test and became the first US woman to earn a pilot's license. She frequently flew in exhibitions. Quimby was also very beautiful and stylish. She designed her own trademark flight suit, a purple satin outfit with a hood, which she wore whenever she flew.

Less than a year after earning her license, she set out on an adventure to fly across the English channel. Most felt that she would fail. Even her friend Gustav Hamel tried to stop her and offered to disguise himself in her purple outfit, make the flight for her, and then trade places with her so that she could take credit for the journey. However, she refused the offer. On April 16, 1912, she successfully flew a 50-horsepower monoplane loaned to her by Louis Bleriot across the English channel. Quimby took off from Dover, England en route to Calais, France. She flew at altitudes between 1,000-2,000 feet fighting her way through the fog. Fifty-nine minutes later, having drifted somewhat off target, she landed on a beach in Hardelot, France. However, very few people learned of her accomplishment, because of the poor press coverage it received. Tragically, the Titanic had sunk only two days before and was still the major news of the day. Quimby's story, if covered at all, could only be seen on the last page.

After crossing the Channel, she returned to New York, resuming exhibition flying. Her notoriety drew large crowds at public flying exhibitions. On July 16, 1912, she flew in the Third Annual Boston Aviation Meet near Quincy, Massachusetts for a reportedly hefty sum of $100,000 (which is a lot now, but a huge amount in 1912). However, her career ended prematurely in tragedy though during that event. With the event organizer, William Willard, aboard she flew out over the bay. As they were returning, the plane violently pitched forward, Quimby lost control and Williard was ejected from his seat. Seconds later, Quimby was also thrown out. Both plunged to their deaths in the shallow waters in front of about 5,000 horrified spectators. Ironically, the plane glided down and lodged itself in the mud. There was considerable debate about the cause of the accident. Some reported that the tragedy could have been avoided had they been wearing seat belts. Sadly, Quimby, one of aviation's early pioneers, had lost her life only 11 months after she learned to fly.

In that short timeframe, Harriet Quimby had a major impact on women's roles in aviation. She left behind a legacy, not just as a pilot, but as a woman ahead of her time. Her independence and sense of adventure inspired many women. Amelia Earhart once noted that she was inspired by Quimby and considered her a personal hero. In 1991, a US postage stamp featured Quimby.

Here are some interesting words from Harriet Quimby:

• The men flyers have given out the impression that aeroplaning is very perilous work, something that an ordinary mortal should not dream of attempting. But when I saw how easily the man flyers manipulated their machines I said I could fly.
• There is no reason why the aeroplane should not open up a fruitful occupation for women. I see no reason they cannot realize handsome incomes by carrying passengers between adjacent towns, from parcel delivery, taking photographs or conducting schools of flying. Any of these things it is now possible to do.
• If a woman wants to fly, first of all she must, of course, abandon skirts and don a knickerbocker uniform.
• Everyone asks me 'how it feels to fly.' It feels like riding in a high powered automobile, minus bumping over the rough roads, continually signaling to clear the way and keeping a watchful on the speedometer to see that you do not exceed the speed limit and provoke the wrath of the bicycle policeman or the covetous constable.

Although current estimates are approximate, it's been reported that approximately 5% of the pilots today are women, with the majority in the US. Today, women pilots fly for the airlines and in the military. They haul freight, command mercy flights, seed clouds, teach flying to students, transport corporate officers, and patrol pipelines. They compete in air races. Hey, they even fly in space! And, it all started with an adventures of a woman named Harriet Quimby, whose legacy has been mostly overlooked in history due to other tragedies of the day.

I'm reminded of the great song by R Kelly, "I Believe I Can Fly" --- which is something that you could probably hear Harriet Quimby say in 1910. You can see his video here:

As posted on YouTube by AuricSmith

Today, just remember as other great people have said....Believe it and you can achieve it!

Image credits: fabrics.net, Wikimedia Commons, and dirtybeloved