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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| Born |
Jacqueline Marie-Thérèse Suzanne 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
(m. 1938; div. 1967)
(m. 1987; died 1992) |
Jacqueline Marie-Thérèse Suzanne Auriol (born Douet; 5 November 1917 – 11 February 2000) was a brave French pilot who broke many world speed records in airplanes. She was known for her amazing flying skills and her determination.
Contents
Jacqueline Auriol's Early Life and Dreams
Jacqueline Auriol was born in Challans, France, on November 5, 1917. Her father, Edmond Pierre Douet, was a successful shipbuilder. She went to the University of Nantes and later studied art in Paris at the École du Louvre.
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 against the German occupation. This showed her courage and dedication early on.
Learning to Fly and Overcoming Challenges
Jacqueline started flying in 1946 and earned her pilot's license in 1948. She quickly became a skilled stunt pilot and a test pilot. A test pilot flies new or modified aircraft to make sure they are safe.
In 1949, Jacqueline was in a serious plane crash as a passenger. She was badly hurt, especially her face. She spent almost three years in hospitals and had 33 operations to help her recover. During this difficult time, she studied many subjects like algebra and aerodynamics. These studies helped her earn advanced pilot certifications.
In 1950, she received a military pilot license. She became one of the first female test pilots in the world. Jacqueline was also one of the first women to fly faster than the speed of sound, which is called breaking the sound barrier. She set five world speed records in the 1950s and 1960s.
A Passion for Aviation
Jacqueline Auriol received the Harmon International Trophy four times. This award is given to outstanding aviators. She once shared why she loved flying so much: "I feel so happy when I'm flying. It's like having power and controlling a beautiful machine, like a fast horse. There's also a feeling of having achieved something important. Every time I step onto an airfield, I know this is where I belong."
In 1970, she wrote a book about her life called I Live to Fly. It was published in both French and English.
Jacqueline and Paul Auriol separated in 1967 but remarried in 1987. They had two sons. In 1983, Jacqueline helped start the French Académie de l'air et de l'espace, an important academy for air and space.
Breaking Speed Records in the Sky
Jacqueline Auriol was famous for setting many speed records in airplanes. These records were officially recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which is the world governing body for air sports. She often competed with another amazing pilot, Jacqueline Cochran from the United States.
- May 12, 1951 - Jacqueline flew a British-made de Havilland Vampire jet. She set a new women's world air speed record. She flew at an average speed of 818.18 km/h (508.39 mph) over a 100-kilometer (62.1-mile) course in France.
- December 21, 1952 - Flying a French-built Sud-Est Mistral jet, Jacqueline broke her own record! She flew at an incredible 855.92 km/h (531.84 mph) over the same 100-kilometer course.
- May 31, 1955 - Jacqueline set another record in a Dassault Mystère IV jet. She reached a speed of 1,151 km/h (715.2 mph) over a shorter 15/25-kilometer course. This broke a record previously held by Jacqueline Cochran.
- June 22, 1962 - In a Dassault Mirage IIIC jet, Jacqueline flew at an average speed of 1,850.2 km/h (1,149.7 mph) over the 100-kilometer (62.1-mile) closed circuit at Istres. She reclaimed the women's world air speed record in that category from Jacqueline Cochran.
- June 14, 1963 - Jacqueline made her final attempt to break the women's air speed record over 100 kilometers. Flying a Dassault Mirage IIIR jet, she achieved an amazing average speed of 2,038.70 km/h (1,266.79 mph) over a 100-kilometer (62.1-mile) closed circuit at Istres. She broke a record that Jacqueline Cochran had set just a month earlier.
Jacqueline Cochran later broke Auriol's June 1963 record on June 1, 1964. She flew a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter at 2,097.27 km/h (1,303.18 mph) over a 100-kilometer (62.1-mile) closed circuit. These two pilots pushed each other to achieve incredible feats in aviation!
Awards and Recognitions
Jacqueline Auriol received many important awards for her achievements:
- She won the Harmon International Trophy four times (in 1951, 1952, 1953, and 1956).
- She was given the high honor of Grand officier (Grand Officer) of the Légion d'honneur, one of France's most prestigious awards.
- In 1997, she received the grand-croix (Grand Cross) of the Ordre national du Mérite.
- In 1992, she was honored as an "Eagle" in the Gathering of Eagles Program.
- France released a special €4.00 postage stamp in her honor on June 23, 2003.
- She was named an honorary fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
Further Reading
- I Live to Fly - Jacqueline Auriol. (1970) E.P. Dutton & Co.: New York; ISBN: 0-525-13076-4
Related Topics
See also
In Spanish: Jacqueline Auriol para niños
