Angelika Machinek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Angelika Machinek
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Angelika Machinek shortly before her death in 2006
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| Born | 17 November 1956 Eschershausen, Holzminden Germany
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| Died | 12 October 2006 (aged 49) near Echzell, Hesse, Germany
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| Occupation | Pilot |
Angelika Machinek (born November 17, 1956 – died October 12, 2006) was a German glider pilot. Gliders are special aircraft that fly without an engine, using air currents. Angelika was incredibly skilled at this. She won the German gliding championship five times. She also set nine world records for gliding, which were officially recognized by the FAI. Besides flying, she was also a writer and worked in theater.
Life Story
Angelika Machinek was born in a small village called Eschershausen in Germany. This was on November 17, 1956. She went to college and studied German language and sociology. Later, she earned a special degree in German literature in 1985. After that, she worked as a writer and helped create plays for the theater. This job is called a dramaturge.
Becoming a Pilot
Angelika started learning to fly gliders when she was just 14 years old. She earned her pilot's license in 1973. This meant she was allowed to fly gliders on her own. She later got licenses for aerobatics (fancy flying tricks) and to teach others how to fly.
She became a very successful pilot. She competed in many gliding contests both in Germany and around the world. She was named the German Champion five times! This happened in 1994, 1998, 2000, 2004, and 2006. She also won other big competitions, like the Elly-Beinhorn Rally in 1998. In 2000, she received a special award called the Pelagia Majewska Gliding Medal. This award is given for great achievements in gliding.
Sadly, Angelika Machinek passed away at age 49. She was flying a small, light aircraft called a microlight when she had an accident.
World Records in Gliding
Angelika Machinek set nine world records in gliding. These records were recognized by the FAI Gliding Commission. She set them in three different types of glider classes. A "class" means a group of gliders that are similar in size or design.
| Date | Class | Type of record | Record | Aircraft | Notes |
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| 14 December 1996 | D1-M | Speed over a triangular course of 300 km | 139.97 km/h (86.97 mph) | Schleicher ASW 24 E | Record changed later |
| 15 December 1996 | D1-M | Triangle distance | 582.85 km (362.17 mi) | Schleicher ASW 24 E | Record changed later |
| 15 December 1996 | D1-M | Speed over a triangular course of 500 km | 129.43 km/h (80.42 mph) | Schleicher ASW 24 E | Record changed later |
| 7 January 1997 | D1-M | Speed over a triangular course of 100 km | 142.4 km/h (88.5 mph) | Schleicher ASW 24 E | Record changed later |
| 18 December 1998 | D15 | Speed over an out-and-return course of 500 km | 136.59 km/h (84.87 mph) | Schempp-Hirth Discus | |
| 22 December 1998 | D15 | Speed over a triangular course of 750 km | 119.79 km/h (74.43 mph) | Schempp-Hirth Discus | |
| 5 January 1999 | DO | Speed over a triangular course of 1000 km | 126.09 km/h (78.35 mph) | Schleicher ASH 25 E | |
| 6 December 2002 | D15 | Speed over a triangular course of 100 km | 142.4 km/h (88.5 mph) | Schempp-Hirth Ventus-2cM | |
| 6 December 2002 | D15 | Speed over a triangular course of 300 km | 153.8 km/h (95.6 mph) | Schempp-Hirth Ventus-2cM |
Her Legacy
Angelika Machinek strongly believed in supporting women in gliding. After she passed away, a special fund was created in her honor. This fund helps encourage and support other women who want to become glider pilots. In 2016, a street in a German city was named after her. The next year, in 2017, a path on a hiking trail was also named "Angelika Machinek Weg" to remember her.
