Tuesday, August 28, 2007&& Solo Flights
Solo Flights
On 11 January 1935, I became the first person to fly solo from Honolulu, Hawaii to Oakland, California. Although this flight had been attempted time and again by many others, especially by the unfortunate participants in the 1927 Dole Air Race which had reversed the route, my flight had been mainly routine and rather smooth sailing, with no mechanical breakdowns. That year, on 19 April, I also flew a solo flight from Los Angeles to Mexico City, once more on my faithful Vega which I nicknamed "old Bessie, the fire horse." My next record attempt was a nonstop flight from Mexico City to New York. My flight was pretty much uneventful.
I again participated in long-distance air racing. I won fifth in the 1935 Bendix Trophy Race. It was the best I could manage as, unfortunately, my Vega could not beat the other purpose-built air racers which reached more than 300 mph. The race was particularly challenging. One competitor, Cecil Allen, died in a fiery takeoff mishap and rival Jacqueline Cochran was forced to quit due to mechanical problems and the violent thunderstorms that plagued the race.
Between 1930–1935, I set seven women's speed and distance records in a variety of airplanes(including the Kinner Airster, Lockheed Vega and Pitcairn Autogiro). By 1935, recognizing the many limitations of my lovely red Vega in long-distance flights, I contemplated a new prize... one flight which I most wanted to attempt - a circumnavigation of the globe as near its waistline as could be.
making history.
1:08 AM
