Louise Thaden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Louise Thaden
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Thaden c. 1930s
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| Born | November 12, 1905 |
| Died | November 9, 1979 (aged 73) |
| Occupation | Aviator |
| Spouse(s) | Herbert von Thaden |
| Children | 2 |
Louise Thaden (born Louise McPhetridge; November 12, 1905 – November 9, 1979) was an amazing American pilot. She was a true aviation pioneer who broke many flying records. Louise was also the first woman to win the famous Bendix trophy air race, flying alongside Blanche Noyes. Her achievements were recognized when she was added to the Arkansas Aviation Historical Society's Hall of Fame in 1980.
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Early Life and Education
Louise McPhetridge was born in Bentonville, Arkansas. She went to public schools there. Later, she attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, from 1921 to 1926. She studied subjects like journalism, physical education, and pre-medicine.
Starting Her Aviation Journey
In 1926, Louise worked for a coal company. One of her big customers was the Travel Air Corporation in Wichita, Kansas. This company was owned by Walter Beech, who liked Louise. He offered her a job as a sales representative in San Francisco, California.
Louise accepted the job. Part of her salary included free pilot's lessons! She quickly learned to fly and earned her pilot's certificate in 1928. She became the first female pilot to be officially licensed by the state of Ohio.
Marriage and Early Flying Records
Louise met Herbert von Thaden, who was a pilot and engineer for the United States Army Signal Corps. He helped create the first American all-metal airplane. Louise and Herbert got married in San Francisco on June 19, 1928.
By 1929, Louise Thaden was one of only four women to hold a special "transport pilot" license. This meant she could fly large planes and carry passengers or cargo.
Breaking Aviation Records
Louise Thaden quickly became a very important person in the world of aviation. She set many world records and won major flying competitions. In 1929, she was the first pilot to hold three women's records at once: altitude, endurance, and speed in light planes.
In December 1928, Louise set the women's altitude record by flying to 20,260 feet (about 6,175 meters). In March 1929, she set the women's endurance record. She flew for an incredible 22 hours, 3 minutes, and 12 seconds without landing!
The Women's Air Derby
Louise Thaden was friends and rivals with other famous female pilots. These included Amelia Earhart, Pancho Barnes, Opal Kunz, and Blanche Noyes. Louise beat them all in the first Women's Air Derby in 1929. This race was also called the "Powder Puff Derby."
The Air Derby was a cross-country race. It went from Santa Monica, California, to Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland was where the National Air Races were held that year. The race took place from August 13 to 20, 1929. Twenty women entered the race. It was a tough race! Sadly, Marvel Crosson was killed. Amelia Earhart damaged her plane. Pancho Barnes got lost and flew into Mexico. Blanche Noyes had a fire in her plane over Texas.
Later Career and Achievements
In 1930, Louise Thaden became the public relations director for Pittsburgh Aviation Industries. She also became the director of the Women's Division at the Penn School of Aeronautics. That same year, Thaden and Amelia Earhart helped start an international group for women pilots called the Ninety-Nines. Louise served as treasurer and vice-president. This organization still exists today!
In 1935, another pioneering female pilot, Phoebe Omlie, asked Louise to work for the National Air Marking Program. This program helped mark airfields so pilots could find their way.
Winning the Bendix Trophy Race
In 1936, Louise Thaden won the famous Bendix Trophy Race. This was the first year women were allowed to compete against men. She set a new world record! She flew from New York City to Los Angeles, California, in just 14 hours and 55 minutes.
Louise flew a Beechcraft Staggerwing biplane. This was amazing because she beat planes that were specially designed for racing, including faster twin-engine aircraft. Laura Ingalls, another pilot, came in second. Louise won $4,500 for first place and an extra $2,500 for being the top woman finisher. For this amazing win, Louise Thaden received the Harmon Trophy. This is the highest honor given to women in aviation.
More Flying Records
Louise Thaden also teamed up with Frances Marsalis to set another endurance record. They flew a Curtiss Thrush monoplane over Long Island, New York, for an incredible 196 hours! They refueled their plane 78 times while in the air. Food and water were lowered to them from another aircraft using a rope. This event got national attention, and the two pilots even made live radio broadcasts from their plane!
In 1937, Louise became the National Secretary of the National Aeronautics Association. Before she retired, she worked for Beech Aircraft Corporation. She was a factory representative and demonstration pilot.
Retirement and Legacy
Louise Thaden retired from competitive flying in 1938. She worked with the Bureau of Air Commerce to help create more airfields. She also wrote her autobiography, High, Wide and Frightened, soon after retiring. She wrote many newspaper and magazine articles about aviation. Louise believed that women were "innately better pilots than men."
The Arkansas Aviation Historical Society honored Louise Thaden in 1980. She was one of the first five people added to the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame.
Death
Louise Thaden passed away from a heart attack in High Point, North Carolina, on November 9, 1979.
Louise Thaden's Words of Wisdom
- "If you have flown, perhaps you can understand the love a pilot develops for flight. It is much the same emotion a man feels for a woman, or a wife for her husband."
- "A pilot who says he has never been frightened in an airplane is, I'm afraid, lying."
Honoring Her Memory
- In 1951, the airport in Bentonville, Arkansas, was renamed Louise Thaden Field to honor her.
- In 1974, a building at the Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma, Tennessee, was named after Thaden.
- In 1991, astronaut Eileen Collins carried Louise Thaden's flying helmet into space on the Space Shuttle. This was to honor Louise and other early women pilots.
- In 1999, Thaden was added to the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
- In 2004, the University of Arkansas Press re-published Thaden's autobiography, High, Wide, and Frightened.
- In 2017, Thaden School, an independent school, was founded in Bentonville, Arkansas, in honor of Louise Thaden.
- In 2021, an opera about her win in the 1936 Bendix Trophy Race was performed. It was called Staggerwing.
