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Archives at The Museum of Flight


Elder, Ruth, 1902-1977

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1902 - 1977

Biographical Note

Ruth Elder (1902-1977) was an early American aviatrix and pilot. She was known as "Miss America of the Air" and was a charter member of the Ninety-Nines.

In 1927, she attempted to become the first woman pilot to finish a transatlantic flight, with her co-pilot George Haldeman. Mechanical problems caused them to ditch the plane 360 miles from the Azores, but they established a new over-water endurance flight record of 2,623 miles. At that time, it was the longest flight ever made by a woman. After the attempt, she made many public appearances and earned a movie contract.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Biographical Information Files - E

 Sub-Group
Scope and Contents Individuals whose names start with E: Eagleston, Glenn T. [WWII U.S. ace pilot] "Aces' Aircraft: Lt. Col. Glenn T. Eagleston," Aero Album, Fall 1968 Eaker, Ira C. [U.S. Air Force pilot] Folder 1:Obituary, Eugene Register-Guard, August 7, 1987"Eaker's Pan-American Mission," Air Force Magazine, September...
Dates: 20th Century
Found in: The Museum of Flight Archives / The Museum of Flight Biographical Information Files

Dorothy (Hester) Stenzel Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 1992-09-26
Abstract

Dorothy (Hester) Stenzel (1910-1991) was born in Ardenwald, Oregon and learned to fly in the late 1920s. Stenzel then gained fame for stunt flying and broke several records through the mid-1930s. The collection contains seven (7) scrapbooks and assorted textual materials and photographs that document Stenzel's career as one of the first female stunt pilots.

Dates: circa 1928-1991
Found in: The Museum of Flight Archives

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