Remembrance of the first female certified pilot in the United States
August 4, 2011, 06:15 pm
On August 1, 1911, journalist Harriet Quimby became the first licensed female pilot in the United States. One hundred years later, the National Aviation Hall of Fame celebrated her storied life, according to General Aviation News.
Back in 1911, Quimby convinced her employer, Leslie's Illustrated Weekly, to pay for the journalist's flying lessons. In return, Quimby would record her experiences for the magazine. After 33 lessons, she received her Aero Club of America license. Months later, on September 4, Quimby won $1,500 as a prize for performing a night flight under a full moon across the Narrows of New York.
On April 16, 1912, Quimby performed her most remarkable feat when she became the first woman to fly across the English Channel. In July, Quimby lost her life at the age of 37 when she and her passenger were thrown from a monoplane when it began to nosedive.
Flying can be dangerous, and life insurance for pilots is necessary for those who want to protect their families in the event of an accident. The Federal Aviation Administration reports that in 2010, 453 people died as a result of 1,384 general aviation accidents.
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