Since the early days of powered flight, women have taken to the skies, but their achievements have often gone unrecognised. While names like Amy Johnson, who was the first woman to fly solo from the UK to Australia, and Amelia Earhart, the first woman to cross the Atlantic, are widely known, many others have contributed significantly to aviation’s history, beginning with early pioneers such as Blanche Stuart Scott, Bessica Raiche, and Raymonde de la Roche. Each played a role in breaking barriers and pushing boundaries in the fledgling aviation industry.
Blanche Stuart Scott, an American pilot, made her mark in 1910 with an accidental but historic flight. During what was meant to be a ground-based flying lesson, her plane lifted into the air unexpectedly. Scott went on to achieve another milestone as the first woman to complete a long-distance flight. Around the same time, Bessica Raiche conducted the first accredited solo flight by a woman in the United States, using a self-built plane crafted from bamboo and silk. In France, Raymonde de la Roche became the first woman in the world to earn a pilot’s licence, while Harriet Quimby made history by flying solo across the English Channel in 1912.
During the Second World War, the demand for pilots created unprecedented opportunities for women in aviation. In the UK, the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) enlisted women to transport newly built and repaired aircraft to airfields across the country. These pilots flew various planes, from Tiger Moths to bombers like the Lancaster and even the formidable B17 Flying Fortress. Similarly, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) in the United States performed critical roles in ferrying aircraft and supplies. ATA pilots earned recognition for their versatility and skill, often operating under challenging conditions such as blackout landings and a lack of radio communication. Remarkably, ATA women received equal pay to their male counterparts, a first for a UK government-backed organisation.
After the war, women continued to break through barriers. Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space in 1963. Decades later, Lynne Barton was named British Airways’ first female pilot in 1987, and Eileen Collins piloted the Space Shuttle in 1995. The US Air Force opened its pilot training programme to women in 1977, with the RAF following suit in 1990.
Today, women are integral to every aspect of aviation. From flying commercial and military aircraft to working in air traffic control and aerospace engineering, their contributions are essential. A growing number of women are pursuing careers in aviation, with the UK Civil Aviation Authority reporting a substantial increase in pilot licences issued to women in recent years.
The path paved by trailblazing women like Johnson and Earhart has expanded into a future where opportunities are boundless. For aspiring female aviators, the sky truly is no longer the limit.
Avation PLC (LON:AVAP) is a commercial passenger aircraft leasing company owning a fleet of aircraft which it leases to airlines across the world. Avation’s future focus are new technology low CO2 emission aircraft.
