Maxine Dunlap Bennett facts for kids

Maxine Dunlap Bennett (born January 26, 1908, died September 1977) was an amazing American pilot. She made history as the first woman in the United States to get a license to fly a glider. She was also the first woman to lead a glider club in the country. On April 28, 1929, she flew her glider over the sand dunes in Ocean Beach, San Francisco, California. Her flight lasted 50 seconds and covered 990 feet. This was more than the 30 seconds needed to earn her glider pilot certificate.

Early Life and Flying Dreams

Maxine Dunlap was born in 1908 in Pleasanton, California. She grew up in Oakland, California. Later, she studied at the University of California. In 1927, she became very interested in flying. This was after Charles Lindbergh made his famous flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

Becoming a Pilot

Maxine quickly learned to fly powered airplanes. In 1928, she earned her pilot's license. She was the first woman in San Francisco to get this license. She flew for over 60 hours in powered planes.

Making Gliding History

After flying powered planes, Maxine started taking lessons to fly gliders. Gliders are planes that fly without an engine. Just three weeks later, she earned her glider pilot's license. She was the eighth person in the U.S. to get this license. But she was the very first woman!

Her glider flight on April 28, 1929, was special. It lasted 50 seconds. This was much longer than the 30 seconds needed to get the license. Another famous pilot, Amelia Earhart, had tried but could not stay in the air for 30 seconds.

Leading the Way

In March 1930, Maxine became the first woman to be president of a glider club in the U.S. She led the Bay Region California Gliding Club. She also joined a group called the Ninety-Nines in 1930. This group was for women pilots. Maxine took part in many air races. In 1935, she set a world speed record for light airplanes in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Family Life

In 1929, Maxine married Donald A. Templeman. He was her first flight instructor. They later divorced in 1933. In 1934, she married Joseph J. Bennett Jr. They moved to Atlanta, Georgia.

Maxine continued to fly a lot. She flew a powerful plane called a Gull Wing Stinson. People said she was such a good pilot that her husband felt safe flying with her anywhere. Joseph Bennett passed away in 1975. Maxine was mentioned as his surviving wife.