The iconic women in aviation

For as long as people have fantasized about taking to the skies, women have often envisaged themselves as pilots of an aircraft traveling to distant lands. Even though it might have taken them a little longer to compete for the pilot's seat, women have still made significant contributions to aviation. Here, we present a few of the most well-known, though lesser-known, female aviation pioneers. We wish this might encourage others to spread their wings as well.

The top 7 most well-known female pilots in history are listed below:

Amelia Earhart, arguably the most well-known female pilot in history, was the first to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932. She began a brief career that was full of excitement when she took off in a Lockheed Vega 5B from Newfoundland to Paris. In addition to breaking altitude records, she was the first woman to fly solo across the Pacific.

The Lockheed Electra she was traveling in 1937 vanished as she tried? to complete a record-breaking flight around the globe. Her disappearance, together with the fact that neither her body nor her plane has been officially identified as having been located since she vanished, is still one of the biggest mysteries of our time.

Bessie Coleman was barred from aviation schools in the United States as she was Black. She was impressed by the daring pilots during World War I. In 1920, she relocated to France where she finished an advanced school in aviation and established her career by?appearing in aerobatic exhibitions. She, unfortunately,?died in a flying mishap in 1926 after being thrown from her aircraft.

Amy Johnson made aviation history in 1930 when she flew solo from London to Australia aboard a de Havilland Gypsy Moth. She was also the first woman in the entire world to be qualified as an aircraft engineer. She enlisted in the Air Transport Auxiliary during World War Two.

Jacqueline Cochran was a fierce advocate for women's participation in aviation, particularly during World War II, and she rose to prominence as a racing pilot in her era. She appealed in a letter to Eleanor Roosevelt, the first lady, during the war for the establishment of an all-female flying division in the Air Force. She was in charge of the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) by 1943, and for her efforts after World War II, she was awarded a distinguished service medal.

Sally Ride's impact and accomplishments paved the way for an entire generation of young girls to grow up believing they could fulfill their aspirations of going to space. She became the first American woman in space when she joined the crew of the Challenger in 1983, although she was not on board when it exploded. During the trip, she helped with the deployment of two satellites into orbit and controlled the robotic arm. She was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2003. Ride continues to hold the record for becoming the country's youngest astronaut.

Harriet Quimby broke new ground for two consecutive years: First, in 1911, when she became the first female to be granted a pilot license by the Aero Club of America. She later became the first woman to fly over the English Channel in 1912 when she took off in 59 minutes from Dover to Calais. Quimby passed away at the age of just 37 after being thrown from her plane in mid-air. She is regarded as one of the real aviation pioneers for women.

Valentina Tereshkova, a 26-year-old member of the Soviet space program, prevailed over 400 other female candidates to become the first woman to enter space. She completed 48 circles of the planet between June 16, 1943, and June 19, 1943. Tereshkova has won numerous accolades and prizes for her exceptional accomplishments in spaceflight and aviation.