Margaret Ringenberg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margaret Ringenberg
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Margaret at the controls of a fighter during World War II.
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| Born | June 17, 1921 |
| Died | July 28, 2008 (aged 87) |
| Occupation | Aviator Author Spokesperson |
| Spouse(s) | Morris Ringenberg |
Margaret Ringenberg (born Margaret Ray; June 17, 1921 – July 28, 2008) was an amazing American aviator. She spent more than 40,000 hours flying planes during her life! That's like flying for over four and a half years straight.
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Margaret's Flying Adventures
Margaret became interested in flying when she was only eight years old. She saw a "barnstormer" land a plane in a field near her family's farm. A barnstormer was a pilot who traveled around, performing daring tricks with planes to entertain people.
She learned to fly at a special school. Margaret flew a plane by herself for the first time in 1941. She was 19 years old.
Flying for Her Country
During World War II, Margaret joined a special group called the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). These brave women pilots helped the military. They flew planes from factories to airfields. They also tested planes and towed targets for gunnery practice. Even though they didn't fly in combat, their jobs were very important and often dangerous. The WASP program ended in 1944.
After the war, Margaret continued her love for flying. She became a flight instructor, teaching others how to fly. She also worked as a commercial pilot.
Racing Through the Skies
Margaret started racing airplanes in the 1950s. She competed in many famous races. She raced in every Powder Puff Derby from 1957 to 1977. She also raced in every Air Race Classic since 1977. Margaret won over 150 trophies for her flying skills!
In 1994, when she was 72 years old, she completed a Round-the-World Air Race. In 2001, at age 79, she flew in a race from London to Sydney.
Awards and Family
In 1999, Margaret received a special award. It was the Elder Statesman in Aviation Award from the NAA. This award honors people who have made great contributions to aviation.
Margaret married Morris Ringenberg in 1946. He was a banker. They had two children and five grandchildren. Margaret's children often flew with her in races. They even joined her in the winner's circle to receive trophies.
Books About Margaret
The famous author Tom Brokaw wrote about Margaret Ringenberg in his book The Greatest Generation. During an interview, Margaret said, “I started out flying because I wanted to be a stewardess... and I thought ‘what if the pilot gets sick or needs help? I don’t know the first thing about airplanes’ and that's where I found my challenge."
Margaret also wrote her own book. It was called Girls Can’t Be Pilots. She wrote it with Jane L. Roth in 1998. The book had many photos from her time as a WASP pilot and an air racer.
Her daughter, Marsha Wright, also wrote a book about her mother. It was called "Maggie Ray: World War II Air Force Pilot" and was published in 2007.
Margaret's Final Flight
Margaret Ringenberg passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 28, 2008. She was 87 years old. She died while attending the Experimental Aircraft Association annual airshow. She was there representing the WASP pilots.
