Elinor Smith (1911–2010,) born Elinor Regina Patricia Ward, was a groundbreaking American aviator known as The Flying Flapper of Freeport. At 16, she became the world’s youngest licensed pilot, impressing experts with her skill and fearless flying. Her most famous feat was flying under New York’s East River bridges, cementing her reputation as a bold and talented pilot.
Raised in Freeport, New York, Smith developed a passion for aviation early and earned her pilot’s license as a teenager. She soon moved beyond exhibition flying, becoming the first female test pilot for Fairchild Aircraft, which produced rugged military and commercial planes, and Bellanca Aircraft (now AviaBellanca,) known for high-performance, long-range aircraft. Her work involved evaluating aircraft performance, refining handling, and improving stability and efficiency. Her insights drove engineering advancements, making planes safer and more reliable. In addition to setting altitude records, she advocated for aviation safety, pilot training, and aerodynamic improvements. In 1930, she was named Best Woman Pilot in America, surpassing Amelia Earhart.
Her memoir, Aviatrix: The Story of Elinor Smith (2001,) offers a firsthand account of her achievements and challenges as a woman in aviation.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Elinor Smith
It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and made things happen.
—Elinor Smith
Topics: Action, Attention, Success
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