Betty Miller (pilot) facts for kids

Betty Jean Verret Miller (born April 6, 1926 – died February 21, 2018) was an amazing American pilot. She made history in May 1963 by becoming the first woman to fly an airplane all by herself across the huge Pacific Ocean.

Early Life and Dreams of Flying

Betty Jean Verret was born in Venice, California, on April 6, 1926. Even as a child, she was interested in airplanes. She grew up near the Santa Monica Airport, where planes were always flying overhead.

When she went to Venice High School, Betty took a special class called "Radio Shop." This class helped her learn about how radios work, which was very useful for aviation.

Becoming a Pilot

After high school, Betty started working for the Civil Aeronautics Administration. This organization is now known as the FAA. She worked as an Aircraft Communicator, helping planes talk to the ground. She worked at different airports in the western United States.

During this time, she met and married Chuck Miller. They eventually moved to Santa Monica, California. There, they opened their own flight school called The Santa Monica Flyers.

Betty had been flying since 1952. She became one of the first women to be certified as a helicopter pilot. She was also a flight instructor, teaching others how to fly. She helped manage the flight school too.

In 1961, Betty made another record. She was the first woman to fly a Hughes Model 269A helicopter by herself. She also helped create important physical standards for women who wanted to become astronauts. These standards are still used today!

The Big Flight Across the Pacific

Betty Miller's flight school, Santa Monica Flyers, became the center for planning her biggest adventure. She wanted to fly across the Pacific Ocean. No woman had ever flown solo across the Pacific before.

Betty and Chuck worked with their friend Max Conrad, who was a test pilot. They also worked with William T. Piper, who made Piper airplanes. Together, they planned for Betty to deliver a new Piper plane from California to Australia. Max Conrad helped design special extra fuel tanks for the plane. This was very important because the flight was so long!

After a lot of planning and some delays due to bad weather, Betty was ready.

Making History: The Pacific Journey

On April 25, 1963, Betty began her amazing journey. She took off from Oakland, California, USA. She had a small troll doll with her as a lucky charm! Her first stop was Honolulu, Hawaii. This part of the flight took her over 17 hours. She was the first woman to fly solo from Oakland to Honolulu.

After resting, she continued her flight on May 5. She flew from Honolulu to Canton Island, then to Fiji, and finally to New Caledonia.

Betty landed in Brisbane, Australia, on May 13, 1963. A large crowd was there to cheer for her! She stepped out of the plane wearing a simple cotton dress and high heels. The total time she spent flying over the Pacific was 51 hours and 38 minutes. It was an incredible achievement!

Awards and Recognition

Betty Miller received many honors for her historic flight. President John F. Kennedy gave her the Federal Aviation Administration’s Gold Medal for Exceptional Service. Later, President Lyndon B. Johnson presented her with the Harmon International Trophy for Aviatrix of the Year in 1963. This award recognized her as the best female pilot of the year.

Later Life

Betty Jean Verret met her husband, Charles Miller (Chuck), when she was working for the Civil Aeronautics Administration in Wendover. They had a unique first date! Chuck radioed her at Wendover airport to report a wildfire caused by a meteorite he saw while flying. They went to find the meteorite and kept a piece of it as a souvenir.

Betty Miller was a member of two special clubs for female pilots: the Ninety-Nines and the Whirly Girls. These groups bring together women who love to fly.

In her later years, Betty Miller became an artist. After Chuck passed away, she moved to Ocala, Florida. In 2012, she moved to Bountiful, Utah, with her pet parrot, Paco.

Betty Miller passed away on February 21, 2018, at the age of 91. She will always be remembered as a brave and pioneering pilot.