Gráinne Cronin facts for kids

Gráinne Cronin was a pioneering pilot. She was the very first woman to become a pilot for Aer Lingus. This also made her the first woman pilot to work commercially in Ireland. She was born around 1953.

Gráinne's Early Life

Gráinne Cronin was born in Ennis, County Clare. Her father, Felim Cronin, was also a pilot captain. Flying seems to run in her family! Gráinne's sister, Caroline, also became a commercial pilot.

Gráinne married Neil Johnston, who was also a pilot. Their daughters, Alana and Louisa Johnston, both have private pilot licenses. Louisa even has a commercial pilot license, following in her parents' footsteps.

Learning to Fly

Gráinne learned to fly while she was at university. She used her father's small plane, a Piper Cub. Instead of teaching her himself, her father asked his first officer, Neil Johnston, to teach her. Neil taught Gráinne how to fly, and they later got married. Today, Gráinne lives in Malahide, Ireland.

Gráinne's Amazing Career

Gráinne Cronin started her career with Aer Lingus in 1975. She was 22 years old and worked as a flight attendant first. But she had bigger dreams! By the time she was 24, she went for special flight training in Oxford, England.

Becoming a Pilot

Her very first flight as a pilot was in January 1978. She started as a co-pilot, helping the main pilot. Then, in 1988, Gráinne made history again. She became Aer Lingus's first female captain! This was a huge achievement.

Gráinne retired from flying on May 25, 2010. She had a long and successful career.

Women in Aviation

Aer Lingus was one of the first airlines in Europe to hire a woman pilot. SAS was the very first. Aer Lingus was the second. Within two years of Gráinne joining, Aer Lingus hired two more women pilots. It took a bit longer for other airlines. For example, British Airways didn't hire their first woman pilots until about six years later. Gráinne Cronin truly paved the way for many women in aviation.