Women's Air Derby
Encyclopedia
The first Women’s Air Derby during the 1929 National Air Races
, commonly known as the “Powder Puff Derby
”, was the first official women’s only air race in the United States. Nineteen pilots took off from Santa Monica, California, on August 18, 1929 (one left the next day). Sixteen made it to Cleveland, Ohio, nine days later.
referred to it as the “Powder Puff Derby”, the name by which the race is most commonly known. To be eligible to participate in the derby, the pilots had to have at least 100 hours of solo flight, which included a minimum 25 hours of cross-country flying (these were the same rules that applied to men competing in the National Air Races). The pilots, fourteen in the heavy plane class and six in the lighter class, took off from Santa Monica, California. An estimated 18,000 people gathered in Cleveland, Ohio, to greet the pilots at the end of the race.
Air-race promoter Cliff Henderson
was the founder of the first Women’s Air Derby, which he patterned after the men’s transcontinental air races. Ironically, Henderson banned women from competing in the 1934 Bendix Trophy
and National Air Races after a deadly accident by pilot Florence Klingensmith
in 1933.
To keep all competing aircraft safely separated as they climbed to altitude during an air race, they were lined up in rows at the start of the race but would take off in timed intervals. National Aeronautic Association
official Joe Nikrent
was the official time-keeper.
, Evelyn “Bobbi” Trout
, Marvel Crosson, Blanche W. Noyes
, Vera Dawn Walker, Amelia Earhart
, Ruth Elder, Gladys O’Donnell, Florence “Pancho” Lowe Barnes
, Ruth Nichols, Phoebe Omlie
, Mary Haizlip, Edith Foltz, Mary von Mach, Opal Kunz
, Claire Mae Fahy, Margaret Perry, Neva Paris, Australian pilot Jessie Keith-Miller, and German pilot Thea Rasche
. Almost every pilot suffered mishaps during the difficult race. Louise Thaden finished the race first, followed by Gladys O’Donnell and Amelia Earhart.
National Air Races
The National Air Races were a series of pylon and cross-country races that took place in the United States from 1920 to 1949. The science of aviation, and the speed and reliability of aircraft and engines grew rapidly during this period; the National Air Races were both a proving ground and...
, commonly known as the “Powder Puff Derby
Powder Puff Derby
The Powder Puff Derby was the name given to a transcontinental air race for women pilots inaugurated in 1947. For the next two years it was named the "Jacqueline Cochran All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race"...
”, was the first official women’s only air race in the United States. Nineteen pilots took off from Santa Monica, California, on August 18, 1929 (one left the next day). Sixteen made it to Cleveland, Ohio, nine days later.
The Race
During the first two decades of heavier-than-air flying, the few women fliers in the United States became acquainted with one another during air meets and air rodeos. The bonds among the top women pilots were strengthened in the first real race for female pilots—the Women’s Air Derby during the 1929 National Air Races and Aeronautical Exposition. Humorist Will RogersWill Rogers
William "Will" Penn Adair Rogers was an American cowboy, comedian, humorist, social commentator, vaudeville performer, film actor, and one of the world's best-known celebrities in the 1920s and 1930s....
referred to it as the “Powder Puff Derby”, the name by which the race is most commonly known. To be eligible to participate in the derby, the pilots had to have at least 100 hours of solo flight, which included a minimum 25 hours of cross-country flying (these were the same rules that applied to men competing in the National Air Races). The pilots, fourteen in the heavy plane class and six in the lighter class, took off from Santa Monica, California. An estimated 18,000 people gathered in Cleveland, Ohio, to greet the pilots at the end of the race.
Air-race promoter Cliff Henderson
Cliff Henderson
Clifford "Cliff" Henderson was one of the early organizers of the National Air Races, and managed the races from 1928 through 1939. In 1931, he convinced businessman Vincent Bendix to sponsor the Bendix Trophy Race, a transcontinental speed dash open to men and women. Henderson was awarded the...
was the founder of the first Women’s Air Derby, which he patterned after the men’s transcontinental air races. Ironically, Henderson banned women from competing in the 1934 Bendix Trophy
Bendix trophy
The Bendix Trophy is a U.S. aeronautical racing trophy. The transcontinental, point-to-point race, sponsored by industrialist Vincent Bendix founder of Bendix Corporation, began in 1931 as part of the National Air Races. Initial prize money for the winners was $15,000...
and National Air Races after a deadly accident by pilot Florence Klingensmith
Florence Klingensmith
Florence Gunderson Klingensmith was an American Aviator of the Golden Age of Air Racing. She was also a founding member of the Ninety-Nines, a women's pilot group. She was one of the first women to participate in Air Races with men...
in 1933.
To keep all competing aircraft safely separated as they climbed to altitude during an air race, they were lined up in rows at the start of the race but would take off in timed intervals. National Aeronautic Association
National Aeronautic Association
The National Aeronautic Association of the United States is a non-profit 501 organization and a member of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale , the international standard setting and record-keeping body for aeronautics and astronautics. NAA is the official record-keeper for United States...
official Joe Nikrent
Joe Nikrent
Joseph August Nikrent was an American racecar driver. He competed in four AAA Championship Car races from 1909 to 1913, winning the 1909 point-to-point race between Phoenix, Arizona and Los Angeles behind the wheel of a Buick...
was the official time-keeper.
Participants
The competing pilots were Louise ThadenLouise Thaden
Iris Louise McPhetridge Thaden was an aviation pioneer, holder of numerous aviation records, and the first woman to win the Bendix Trophy.-Birth and education:...
, Evelyn “Bobbi” Trout
Bobbi Trout
Evelyn "Bobbi" Trout was an early female aviator notable for her pioneering flying activities. Trout began her aviation career at the age of 16 however her first solo flight and solo certificate was only given on April 30, 1928. In the spring of 1928, Trout’s mother bought her an International K-6...
, Marvel Crosson, Blanche W. Noyes
Blanche Noyes
Blanche Noyes was an American pioneering female aviator who was among the first ten women to receive a pilot's license. She was Ohio's first licensed female pilot in 1929.-Biography:...
, Vera Dawn Walker, Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...
, Ruth Elder, Gladys O’Donnell, Florence “Pancho” Lowe Barnes
Pancho Barnes
Florence Lowe "Pancho" Barnes was a pioneer aviator, the founder of the first test pilots union and the owner of the Happy Bottom Riding Club, a bar and restaurant. She broke Amelia Earhart's air speed record in 1930...
, Ruth Nichols, Phoebe Omlie
Phoebe Omlie
Phoebe Jane Fairgrave Omlie was an American aviation pioneer, particularly noted for her accomplishments as an early female aviator...
, Mary Haizlip, Edith Foltz, Mary von Mach, Opal Kunz
Opal Kunz
Opal Kunz, also known as Opal van Zandt Giberson Kunz was a noted early American aviator, the first president of the "Ninety-Nines", a women pilots’ organization, that was formed in her living room, and an early feminist. She was married to Dr. George Frederick Kunz.As an aviatrix, Opal Kunz...
, Claire Mae Fahy, Margaret Perry, Neva Paris, Australian pilot Jessie Keith-Miller, and German pilot Thea Rasche
Thea Rasche
Thea Rasche was Germany's first woman pilot.-References:...
. Almost every pilot suffered mishaps during the difficult race. Louise Thaden finished the race first, followed by Gladys O’Donnell and Amelia Earhart.
External links
- The 1929 Air Race
- Breaking Through the Clouds: The First Women's National Air Derby Breaking Through the Clouds: The First Women's National Air Derby is a documentary that showcases actual footage of the 1929 air race. In addition, there are aerial recreations in the film using planes like the women flew in the derby including: Travel Air, Waco, Monocoupe and Fllet. There are images of the women in the race that have rarely been seen before. There are interviews in the film with legendary pilot Elinor SmithElinor SmithElinor Smith , was a pioneering American aviatrix, once known as "The Flying Flapper of Freeport". She was the first woman test pilot for both Fairchild and Bellanca...
, National Aerobatic Champion Patty WagstaffPatty WagstaffPatty Wagstaff is an aerobatic pilot from the United States. Wagstaff traveled all over the world as a child: her father was a pilot for Japan Airlines, and Wagstaff would travel to Southeast Asia, Australia and Alaska to prepare for her own career as a pilot...
, aerobatic pilot Julie Clark, family members of the pilots in the derby, aviation historians and people who knew the women racers personally.