Hélène Boucher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hélène Boucher
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Boucher in 1934
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| Born | 23 May 1908 |
| Died | 30 November 1934 (aged 26) Guyancourt, France
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| Cause of death | aircraft accident |
| Resting place | Yermenonville cemetery |
Hélène Boucher was a famous French pilot from the 1930s. She was known for her incredible speed records. She set many world records for women pilots. In 1934, she even broke a speed record that applied to all pilots, both men and women! Sadly, she passed away in an accident that same year. Hélène was born on May 23, 1908, and died on November 30, 1934.
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Becoming a Pilot
Hélène Boucher grew up in Paris, France. Her father was an architect. After finishing school, she discovered flying at Orly airport. She then became the very first student at a flying school in Mont-de-Marsan. This school was run by Henri Fabos.
Hélène quickly earned her pilot's license when she was 23 years old. She bought her own plane, a de Havilland Gypsy Moth. With her new plane, she learned how to navigate and perform amazing aerobatics, which are exciting tricks and stunts in the air.
Flying Career and Records
Hélène's great talent for flying was noticed by Michel Detroyat, another famous pilot. He suggested she focus on aerobatics, which was his own special skill. Hélène and Michel performed together at air shows, like the one at Villacoublay. Their shows attracted huge crowds!
In June 1932, Hélène earned her public transport pilot's license. This meant she could fly planes carrying passengers or cargo. After attending a few aviation events, she sold her Moth plane. She then bought an Avro Avian, planning a long flight to the Far East. She made it as far as Damascus before turning back. She also flew through North Africa. Financial difficulties limited how far she could go.
Racing and Speed Records
In 1933, Hélène took part in the Angers 12-hour race. Her passenger was Edmée Jacob. They flew a Mauboussin-Zodiac 17 plane, which had one of the smallest engines in the race. It had only 60 hp (45 kW)! They completed 1,645 km (1,022 mi) at an average speed of 137 km/h (85 mph). They finished 14th. Hélène and Edmée were the only all-female team in the race. They won a special prize of 3,000 francs for being an all-women team, plus another 3,000 francs for their position.
The next year, Hélène signed a contract with the Caudron company. She competed again in a much faster Caudron C.530 Rafale plane. This time, she came in second place!
During 1933 and 1934, Hélène set several world records for women pilots. She even held an international speed record in 1934. This record was for flying over 1,000 km (621 mi) and applied to all pilots, male or female. Most of her records were set in Caudron aircraft with Renault engines. In June 1934, the Renault company also hired her to help promote their new car, the Renault Viva Grand Sport.
Hélène's Final Flight
On November 30, 1934, Hélène Boucher was flying a Caudron C.430 Rafale plane near Versailles. She was only 26 years old. Sadly, her plane crashed into the woods of Guyancourt. Hélène died in the accident.
After her death, she was immediately made a knight of the Légion d'honneur. This is a very high award in France. She was the first woman ever to have her funeral held at Les Invalides, a famous national monument in Paris. She is buried in Yermenonville cemetery.
World Records
Hélène Boucher set many impressive world records during her short but amazing career:
- On August 2, 1933, she set a woman's altitude record of 5,900 m (19,357 ft) in a Mauboussin-Peyret Zodiac plane.
- On July 8, 1934, she set a speed record for "Light aircraft (Category 1)" over 1,000 km (621 mi). Her speed was 250.086 km/h (155.396 mph) in the Caudron C.530 Rafale.
- In 1934, flying a Caudron C.450, she set two more records on the same day:
- On August 8, 1934, she set the international speed record over 1,000 km (621 mi) with a speed of 409.184 km/h (254.255 mph). This was also the women's record for that distance.
- On the same day, she set a speed record over 100 km (62 mi) with a speed of 412.371 km/h (256.235 mph).
- On August 11, 1934, she set a woman's speed record of 445.028 km/h (276.528 mph).
Legacy
Many memorials were created after Hélène's death to remember her.
- In 1935, the first "Boucher Cup" competition for female pilots was held.
- A new, beautiful art-deco style girls' high school in Paris was named Lycée Hélène Boucher in 1935. She was seen as a role model for modern, forward-thinking girls.
- Another school, École Hélène Boucher in Mantes-la-Jolie, is also named after her.
- There is a stone monument in the Guyancourt woods where her crash happened.
- Her tomb monument is in Yermenonville.
- Many squares and streets in France are named in her honor.
Images for kids
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Hélène Boucher as a pilot
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Hélène Boucher as a driver for Renault
