News & Events - Page 15 of 22 - First Flight Society - Aviation organization on the Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills, NC

13 06, 2016

Aviatrix Mary Feik – Dies at home in Maryland

It is with a sad heart that we report to you that our most beloved Aviatrix Mary Feik, 92, passed away late last night. Mary was at her home in Annapolis, Maryland with her daughter Robin Vest at her side as she passed. Mary Feik was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

Mary Feik was known throughout the United States and around the world for her many extraordinary and extensive achievements and contributions to the field of aeronautics as an engineer, pilot, mechanic, educator and leader. She held many distinguished positions, awards and honors including the rank of Colonel in the United States Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol. Mary Feik was the 2014 inductee into the First Flight Society’s Paul Garber Shrine at Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, NC.

12 10, 2015

Jerrie Mock

Inducted in 2015

First woman to complete a solo flight around the world

1925-2014

Jerrie Mock, the first woman to complete a solo flight around the world, will be the 2015 inductee in the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine. The induction is part of ceremonies to be held on December 17^th at Wright Brothers National Memorial. In 1964, at age 38, and the mother of three, Ms. Mock flew a single engine Cessna 180 christened the “Spirit of Columbus”, nicknamed “Charlie”, a total of 23,000 miles in 29 days, to become another “first” in the world of aviation.

Geraldine “Jerrie” Fredritz Mock was born on November 22, 1925 in Newark, Ohio. Her interest in flying started at the early age of seven when she had her first airplane ride, and declared she was going to be a pilot. She was eleven when Amelia Earhart launched her around the world flight, and every day […]

18 12, 2014

Mary S. Feik

Inducted in 2014

First woman aviation engineer

1924-2016

December 17, 2014 – A beautiful day at Wright Brothers National Memorial as Mary S. Feik was honored and her portrait was added to the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine at Wright Brothers National Memorial.

Mary is the first woman aviation engineer. But Mary did not stop there. During WWII, Mary became an expert on many military aircraft and is credited with becoming the first woman engineer in research and development in the Air Technical Service Command’s Engineering Division at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio. She flew more than 6,000 hours as pilot in fighter, attack, bomber, cargo and training aircraft. She qualified as a B-29 Flight Engineer and was an engineering analyst in test aircraft for flight and maintenance requirements.

She participated in engineering “mock-up” evaluations for new aircraft prop set for production at the various aircraft manufacturing plants to determine flight and maintenance training requirements. Mary has authored pilot training and maintenance manuals […]

29 10, 2014

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6 08, 2014

William Edward Boeing

Inducted 2013

Founder of the Boeing Airplane Company

1881-1956

Years after attending his first air show in 1910, he became fascinated with aviation. After his first airplane ride, he purchased a Martin hydroplane, took flying lessons, became a pilot, and became obsessed with the notion that he could build a better plane than those currently in the air.

Boeing enlisted his engineering friend, George Conrad Westervelt, to design and build the B&W, a twin-float seaplane. He was so encouraged that he decided to begin his own plane-building business, Pacific Aero Products Company, a small airplane manufacturing company that became the Boeing Airplane Company a year later in 1916.

In 1917, just before America’s entry into World War I, Boeing knew the Navy needed planes. He delivered a Model C seaplane to Navy officials in Florida to test, and his business was firmly secured when the Navy sent his company an order for 50 of the […]

6 08, 2014

Charles Frank Bolden, Jr.

Inducted in 2012

Four-time astronaut and current Administrator, NASA

1946 –

Born in Columbia, SC, retired Major General Charles F. Bolden, Jr., U.S. Marine Corps and current Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical science from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1968. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps and completed flight training as a Naval Aviator in 1970. He flew more than 100 combat missions in North and South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1972-1973. He was selected as an astronaut candidate in 1980.

His 34-year career in the Marine Corps included 14 years as a member of NASA’s Astronaut Office. He traveled to orbit four times aboard the space shuttle between 1986 and 1994. During his first mission on board the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1986, he participated in deployment of the SATCOM KU satellite and conducted experiments in […]

6 08, 2014

David Sinton Ingalls

Inducted in 2011

First Ace in U.S. Navy History

1899 – 1985

DAVID SINTON INGALLS was the only United States Navy Flying Ace in World War I, and thus, he was the first ace in U.S. Navy history.

Born to a life of privilege in Cleveland, Ohio, at 17 years of age Ingalls was a pre-med student at Yale where he enjoyed tinkering with aircraft, and enlisted as a member of the First Yale Unit, a group of aviation pioneers. As such, he became a member of the US Naval Reserve Flying Corps and obtained his pilot license.

On March 17, 1917, Ingalls enlisted into Naval Aviation and was called to active duty in April of that year. After aviation training, Ingalls was sent to Europe where he was attached to British squadrons throughout the war. Flying Sopwith Camels in attacks on the Germans, Ingalls scored six victories to become the Navy’s first ace. He […]

6 08, 2014

Betty Skelton Frankman Erde

Inducted in 2010

First Lady of Aerobatics; Aviation and Automotive Pioneer

1926 – 2011

Betty June Skelton, the only child of David and Myrtle Skelton, was born in Pensacola, Florida on June 28, 1926. An independent child, she played with model airplanes instead of dolls. Later she devoted her playtime to sitting on the back steps of her home watching Navy cadets from the nearby Naval Air Station flying overhead executing maneuvers in bi-planes. Finally, at the age of nine, she convinced her parents she wanted to become a Navy flyer.

Betty’s father, a railroad conductor, shared her interest in flying, and the three Skeltons began visiting the airport every spare moment. A young Navy Ensign began teaching the entire family to fly. Betty was the last to solo. She was twelve years old..

During World War II the Skelton family was active in the Civil Air Patrol. The young pilot legally soloed on her […]

6 08, 2014

Frank Purdy Lahm

Inducted in 2009

One of first trainees for military aircraft

November 11, 1877 – July 7, 1963

Frank Lahm spent two years at Michigan Military Academy preparing for West Point, where he entered in June 1897 and subsequently served in France. Upon his return to the United States in 1903, Lieutenant Lahm was stationed at West Point as an instructor in French. The son of a balloonist, he trained at West Point, served in the cavalry, and transferred to the signal corps in 1907. A pioneer aviator, he trained with Wilbur Wright, and in 1909 became one of the army’s first two certified pilots.

Lahm’s father had joined the Aero Club of France and owned the balloon the “Katherine Hamilton,” named in honor of his daughter. In the summer of 1905 young Lahm completed the requirements of six ascensions, including one at night and one alone, to win his Federation Aeronautique Internationale license as […]

6 08, 2014

Frederick E. Humphreys

Inducted in 2009

One of first trainees for military aircraft

September 16, 1883 – January 20, 1941

After attending the Pennsylvania Military Academy, he won an appointment from New York to the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduated and was assigned to the Corps of Engineers. After assisting in bridge construction, he was deployed to Cuba during the Pacification Expedition, and a year later, returned to attend the Engineer School. While at the school, he was detailed to the Signal Corps.

“Aeroplane No. 1, Heavier-than-Air Division, US Aerial Fleet” was officially accepted by the US Army on August 2, 1909. 800 pounds of bamboo, wire and cloth, and a 30 hp engine connected to propellers by bicycle chains had cost the government $30,000. Included in the contract was the requirement for the Wright brothers to train and certify two military officers as pilots. These were to be Lieutenants Lahm and Foulois; the […]