Jacqueline Auriol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jacqueline Auriol
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Auriol in 1969, at the first flight of the Concorde
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Jacqueline Douet
5 November 1917 |
| Died | 11 February 2000 (aged 82) Paris, France
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| Nationality | French |
| Education | Lycée Blanche-de-Castille |
| Alma mater | University of Nantes École du Louvre |
| Spouse(s) | Paul Auriol |
Jacqueline Auriol (born November 5, 1917, in Challans, Vendée – died February 11, 2000) was a famous French aviator. She was known for setting many world speed records in airplanes.
Contents
Jacqueline Auriol's Life Story
Jacqueline was born in Challans, a town in France. Her father, Edmond Pierre Douet, was a wealthy shipbuilder. She went to the University of Nantes and later studied art at the École du Louvre in Paris.
In 1938, she married Paul Auriol. His father, Vincent Auriol, later became the President of France. During World War II, Jacqueline helped the French Resistance. This group secretly worked against the German army occupying France.
She started learning to fly in 1946. By 1948, she had her pilot's license. She became a skilled stunt pilot and a test pilot. Test pilots fly new or repaired aircraft to see how they perform.
Overcoming Challenges
In 1949, Jacqueline was in a serious plane crash. She was a passenger in a SCAN 30 aircraft. Many bones in her face were broken. She spent almost three years in hospitals. During this time, she had 33 operations to rebuild her face. To keep her mind busy, she studied many subjects. These included algebra, trigonometry, and aerodynamics. These studies helped her get advanced pilot certifications.
In 1950, she earned a military pilot license. She then became one of the first female test pilots. Jacqueline was also among the first women to fly faster than the sound barrier. This means she flew faster than the speed of sound! She set five world speed records in the 1950s and 1960s.
She won the Harmon International Trophy four times. This award is given by an American president for amazing achievements in aviation. Jacqueline once said about flying: "I feel so happy when I'm flying. Perhaps it is the feeling of power, the pleasure of dominating a machine as beautiful as a Thoroughbred horse." She also felt a sense of accomplishment.
Her life story was shared in her book, I Live to Fly. It was published in 1970 in both French and English languages.
Jacqueline and Paul Auriol divorced in 1967 but remarried in 1987. They had two sons. In 1983, she helped start the French Académie de l'air et de l'espace. This is a group that studies air and space.
Jacqueline Auriol's Speed Records
Jacqueline Auriol set several impressive speed records. These records were officially recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). The FAI is the world governing body for air sports.
- May 12, 1951 - Jacqueline set a speed record of 818.18 km/h (508.39 mph). She flew a British-made Vampire jet. This record was over a 100-kilometer (62.1-mile) closed circuit in France. She took the record from Jacqueline Cochran of the United States.
- December 21, 1952 - She broke her own record! Flying a Sud-Est Mistral jet, she reached 855.92 km/h (531.84 mph). This was over the same 100-kilometer circuit.
- May 31, 1955 - Jacqueline set a new women's speed record of 1,151 km/h (715.2 mph). She flew a Mystère IVN jet over a shorter 15/25-kilometer (9.3/15.5-mile) straight course.
- June 22, 1962 - Flying a Dassault Mirage IIIC jet, she achieved 1,850.2 km/h (1,149.7 mph). This was over the 100-kilometer closed circuit. She reclaimed this record from Jacqueline Cochran.
- June 14, 1963 - Jacqueline set her final record over the 100-kilometer closed circuit. She flew a Dassault Mirage IIIR jet at 2,038.70 km/h (1,266.79 mph). She broke a record that Jacqueline Cochran had set just a month before.
On June 1, 1964, Jacqueline Cochran broke Auriol's June 1963 record. She flew a Lockheed F-104G Starfighter at 2,097.27 km/h (1,303.18 mph).
Awards and Honours
Jacqueline Auriol received many awards for her amazing achievements:
- She won four Harmon Trophies in 1951, 1952, 1953, and 1956.
- She was made Grand officier (Grand officer) of the Légion d'honneur. This is a very high award in France.
- In 1997, she was made grand-croix (Grand cross) of the Ordre national du Mérite. This is another important French award.
- She was honored as an Eagle in 1992.
- On June 23, 2003, France released a special €4.00 postage stamp in her honor.
See also
In Spanish: Jacqueline Auriol para niños
