Today is the 122nd year anniversary of the birth of aviation pioneer and author, Amelia Mary Earhart who was born in Atchison, Kansas on July 24, 1897.
According to the Amelia Earhart Museum, after moving to California, Amelia learned to fly by taking “up aviation as a hobby, taking odd jobs to pay for her flying lessons. In 1922, with the financial help of her sister, Muriel, and her mother, Amy Otis Earhart, she purchased her first airplane, a Kinner Airster.”
Additionally, per National Day Calendar, “[o]ne of Earhart’s most impressive achievements took place on May 20th, 1932. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo flight across the Atlantic. He flew from New York to Paris in 33 hours and 30 minutes. Earhart took off from Grace Harbor, Newfoundland four years to the day Lindbergh completed his flight. Throughout the flight, she faced many technical difficulties. Her goal was to land in Paris, France.”
Also, “[d]ue to Earhart’s challenges in flight, she landed the red Lockheed Vega 14 hours and 16 minute later in Derry, Ireland. All in all, the flight was a success. She became the first woman pilot to complete the journey. Following Earhart’s record-setting accomplishment, she earned the United States Distinguished Flying Cross” continues National Day Calendar.
The Amelia Earhart Museum added that in June 1937, “Amelia embarked upon the first around-the-world flight at the equator. On July 2, after completing nearly two-thirds of her historic flight — over 22,000 miles — Amelia vanished along with her navigator Frederick Noonan. They took off from Lae, New Guinea, bound for tiny Howland Island in the vast Pacific Ocean. The distance from Lae to Howland was about equal to a transcontinental flight across the U.S. A great naval, air and land search failed to locate Amelia, Noonan, or the aircraft, and it was assumed they were lost at sea. To this day, their fate is the subject of unending speculation.”
National Amelia Earhart Day continues to honor the achievements of this incredible aviation pioneer, who continues to inspire aviators and others, across the globe.
The author, US Air Force Brigadier General (retired) Carl Buhler, is the CEO of Buhler Consulting, LLC which specializes in providing consulting services for aircraft maintenance, munitions, technology, SBIR, production, logistics, aviation, and supply. Carl served on active-duty for almost three decades and is a career aircraft maintenance, munitions, and logistics officer. Carl is a proud supporter of veterans and veteran’s issues and is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Wounded Warrior Project.
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