Who is Amelia Earhart? Check Early Life, Career and Historic Flights

While thinking about aviation history, one of the most recognizable and inspiring individuals that comes to our mind is Amelia Earhart. She was born in 1897 and went on to become world's most celebrated aviators. She enthralled the world with her fearless attitude, record-breaking flights, and unyielding resolve to push the boundaries of what was thought possible for women. In 1935, Earhart made history with the first solo flight from Hawaii to California, a dangerous journey of 2,408 miles (3,875 kilometers). According to the National Air and Space Museum, she set a new women’s speed record for crossing the country in only 19 hours, 15 minutes, and 35 seconds. This article dives into her extraordinary life, revolutionary career, and famous flights that established her position in history.

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Amelia Earhart Overview

Not only did Amelia set a new record for crossing the country, she also became the First Person to Fly Nonstop and Solo from Hawaii to the U.S. Mainland. Read the table below to find out some of the key details about Amelia Earhart. 

(Source- Wikipedia and National Air and Space Museum)

Early Life of Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart was born in Atchison, Kansas, on July 24, 1897.  She did not have an usual childhood for her time. She traveled a lot as a kid due to her father's job and lived under the care of her maternal grandparents who fostered a free-spirited upbringing. Amelia and her younger sister, Muriel, were encouraged to be autonomous and adventurous. They were often seen participating in activities traditionally associated with guys, such as tree climbing and exploration. She had an early interest in unusual pastimes, but it wasn't until after World War I, when she visited an airfield in Long Beach, California, that her enthusiasm for flying blossomed. After a brief plane journey in 1920, she realized she had to fly. She worked odd jobs to save money for her flying lessons, which she began in January 1921.

Amelia Earhart's Career

Amelia Earhart's aviation career progressed quickly.  She had her first flying lesson in 1921, and in 1922, she set a new women's altitude record at 14,000 feet.  By 1923, she was the 16th woman to be granted a pilot's license by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). During her first flights, she concentrated on honing her abilities and increasing her visibility.  She later traveled to Boston and worked as a social worker, but her reputation as a skilled female pilot increased. Aside from flying, Earhart was a strong advocate for women's equality in aviation and other fields, inspiring many.

Amelia Earhart's Historic Flights

Amelia Earhart made several groundbreaking flights. Her first major triumph came in June 1928, when she became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean as a passenger, aboard the Friendship. This flight made her an instant celebrity. However, her most famous achievement occurred on May 20-21, 1932, when she completed a solo transatlantic flight, becoming the first woman (and second person overall) to achieve this feat. She flew her Lockheed Vega 5B from Newfoundland to Ireland in just under 15 hours.

Following this, she continued to break records, including the first solo flight across the Pacific Ocean from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Oakland, California, in 1935. These historic flights were not just about personal achievement; Earhart saw them as crucial steps in advancing aviation and promoting women's capabilities. Her Amelia Earhart plane of choice varied, but her twin-engine Lockheed Electra 10E was the aircraft for her final, most ambitious journey.

Amelia Earhart's Last Flight

Amelia Earhart's final, most ambitious flight journey began in 1937: an attempt to circumnavigate the globe at its longest line, the equator. Accompanied by navigator Fred Noonan, she departed from Miami on June 1, 1937, in her Lockheed Electra 10E. They successfully completed over two-thirds of the journey, reaching Lae, New Guinea. Their next leg was a challenging 2,556-mile flight to Howland Island, a tiny speck in the central Pacific. On July 2, 1937, their Amelia Earhart plane lost radio contact. Despite extensive search efforts by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, no trace of her, Noonan, or the Amelia Earhart missing plane was ever found. The mystery of what happened to Amelia Earhart's plane remains one of the most enduring unsolved puzzles in aviation history, with theories ranging from running out of fuel to landing on a remote island. No definitive proof of the Amelia Earhart plane found has ever materialized.

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Conclusion

Amelia Earhart stands as an enduring symbol of adventure, courage, and breaking barriers. Her early life set the stage for a career defined by unprecedented historic flights, inspiring countless individuals worldwide. Though the mystery of Amelia Earhart's missing plane continues to intrigue, her legacy transcends her disappearance. Earhart's pioneering spirit, her advocacy for women, and her unwavering pursuit of dreams ensure that her story remains a powerful testament to human ambition and the boundless possibilities of the sky.