Gidsken Jakobsen facts for kids
Gidsken Nilsine Jakobsen (born August 1, 1908 – died June 13, 1990) was an amazing Norwegian aviation pioneer. She was one of the first people to start commercial airlines in Norway. Gidsken also became the first woman to lead an airline in Scandinavia.
Becoming a Pilot
Gidsken Jakobsen loved flying. When she was just 20 years old, she earned her pilot's license. This made her only the second Norwegian woman ever to become a licensed pilot. She even did better than all the other students in her class! The first Norwegian woman to get a pilot's license was Dagny Berger in 1927.
Starting Her Own Airlines
Gidsken didn't just want to fly; she wanted to make flying available for everyone. In 1932, she started her very own airline called Nord-Norges Aero. This airline used a type of plane called the Junkers F 13. This made Gidsken the first woman in all of Scandinavia to be in charge of an airline! Just two years later, in 1934, she started a second airline. It was named Bergens Aero and flew Loening C-2 Air Yacht planes.
Pioneering Flights
Gidsken was known for her daring flights. In 1939, she registered her first airplane in Oslo. That same year, she made history. She became the first person ever to fly from northern Norway all the way to the capital city during the cold winter months. This was a very difficult and important flight.
Her Legacy Lives On
Today, Gidsken Jakobsen is still remembered as a true pioneer. Norwegian Air Shuttle, a big airline, has honored her. They named one of their Boeing 737 airplanes, called LN-NOZ, after her. You can even see her portrait on the plane's tail!
