Mary Barr facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Barr
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Mary Barr next to her transport plane, 1975
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| Born | July 11, 1925 |
| Died | March 1, 2010 (aged 84) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Aviator, safety officer, mechanic, flight instructor |
Mary Barr (born July 11, 1925 – died March 1, 2010) was a truly amazing pilot and aviation expert. She was the very first woman pilot to work for the United States Forest Service. Mary was also a skilled mechanic, a flight instructor, and someone who helped prevent airplane accidents. She dedicated her life to flying and making the skies safer for everyone.
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Mary Barr's Aviation Career
Mary Barr started her journey in aviation in 1946. She was living in Lorain, Ohio, and working in a factory. To learn how to fly, she joined a "Piper club," which was a group of people who shared an airplane. She had even left college to earn money for her flying lessons.
After learning to fly, Mary became a flight instructor. She taught others how to become pilots for airlines and other businesses.
Helping During World War II
Towards the end of World War II, Mary wanted to help the war effort. She moved to New York City and went to a school to become an aircraft mechanic. This meant she learned how to build and fix airplanes.
She also worked with the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). These brave women helped move war supplies and planes across the United States.
Running an Airport in California
In 1949, after the war ended, Mary and her husband moved to Susanville, California. They worked together to manage and improve the Susanville airport.
In 1957, Mary earned a special certificate. This made her an FAA Pilot Examiner for Lassen County. This meant she could test other pilots to make sure they were good enough to fly.
Fighting Fires from the Sky
Mary continued to fly planes to help fight fires. In 1959, she joined the "Air Attack Program" in Susanville with her husband. They would fly planes to help guide firefighters on the ground.
Racing Airplanes
In 1964, Mary Barr made history again. She was one of the first four women to ever compete in the Reno Air Races. These are famous airplane races where pilots fly very fast. Mary came in second place in her category, flying a Piper Cherokee plane.
Promoting Aviation Safety
Because of her many flying and teaching certificates, Mary became an accident prevention counselor for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1971. This was a new program. Mary and 19 other experienced instructors worked in five western states. Their job was to teach pilots how to fly more safely and avoid risky actions.
First Female Pilot for the US Forest Service
In July 1974, Mary Barr became the first female pilot to work for the United States Forest Service. She had already been flying for them as a contractor for several years. She was promoted to an official staff position.
Her job was to be a lead plane pilot for the California North Zone Air Unit. This meant she flew ahead of other planes to guide them, especially during firefighting missions.
Later in the 1970s, Mary moved to San Francisco. She became an Aviation Safety Officer for the Forest Service. Then, she moved to Washington D.C. to become a National Aviation Safety Officer. This was a very important job, helping to make sure all Forest Service flights were safe across the country.
Finally, in 1985, she moved to Sacramento, California. She worked as a Regional Safety Officer until she retired.
Mary Barr's Certifications
Throughout her life, Mary Barr earned many different FAA certifications. These included:
- Commercial Pilot
- Airline Transport Pilot
- Flight Instructor
- Instrument Pilot (for flying in bad weather)
- Glider Pilot
Awards and Honors
Mary Barr received many awards for her amazing work.
In 1988, the Lassen Experimental Aviation Association (LEAA) gave her a special award. This was to thank her for helping pilots and sharing weather information from the Susanville airport.
In 1993, she received the "Cooperator of the Year" award. This was from the Honey Lake Valley Resource Conservation District. They recognized her efforts to improve water systems and build structures to protect rivers and streambanks.
In 2001, Mary was named a member of the Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame by Women in Aviation, International. She was also directly honored by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
Personal Life
Mary Barr met her husband, David Barr, in 1946. At the time, she was teaching him how to fly. They got married the next year and had two children, Molly and Nevada.
Images for kids
- Photos of Mary Barr
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Photo of Mary Barr sitting in the cockpit of her transport plane, 1975
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Photo of Mary Barr standing on the wing of her transport plane, 1975
