Amelia Mary Earhart (1897-1937) Inducted 2020

Amelia Mary Earhart was an American aviation pioneer and author. She is perhaps best known as the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932, or for her disappearance during an attempted circumnavigation flight of the globe in 1937. However, Earhart set many other records, wrote best-selling books about her flying experiences, and was instrumental in the formation of The Ninety-Nines, an organization for female pilots so named for the original number of members.

On April 8, 1931, at Pitcairn Field in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, Earhart stepped into the Pitcairn PCA-2 autogyro, a forerunner of the modern-day helicopter, to attempt an altitude record. She succeeded in reaching a height of 18,415 feet. Next she would try a transcontinental crossing, the first of its kind for the rotary-winged aircraft. Coverage of the attempt ran in major newspapers and the effort was sponsored by the Beech-Nut food company. Nevada featured prominently near the end of the trip, with Earhart making stops in Elko, Winnemucca, and Reno along with a weather-induced detour to the emergency field near the Quicksilver Mine east of Lovelock. Although she completed the journey her efforts were outpaced by another pilot named John Miller who quietly attempted the same feat without Earhart’s fanfare or publicity. He completed the route first, arriving in California nine days prior, although both pilots had no idea of the other’s intentions at the start.

For her courage, vision, and groundbreaking achievements, both in aviation and for women, Amelia Earhart has earned her place in the Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame.