Nestled in the remote reaches of the South Pacific, New Zealand has a rich aviation legacy that is sometimes shrouded in obscurity. While the exploits of aviation legends like Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart are well-known throughout the world, the equally fascinating stories of these five inspiring aviators have often flown under the radar.
Jane Winstone: a trailblazer in breaking down gender barriers
Jane Winstone was one of the few trailblazing female aviators in mid-20th century New Zealand. When she was 16, Winstone became the youngest female solo pilot in New Zealand. She had the honor of flying in Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s Southern Cross, as well as with Jean Batten (#5 on the list).
Winstone subsequently applied to be a pilot for the Air Transport Auxiliary in Britain during the Second World War and was enlisted to ferry Hurricanes and Spitfires to pilots on bases. Her dedication and passion for flying led her to achieve the rank of lieutenant with the Royal Air Force.
On February 10, 1944, Winstone died in service due to an engine failure on the Spitfire she was flying. Today, she is honored for her pioneering efforts that paved the way for future generations of female aviators, breaking gender barriers in the aviation industry.
Jean Batten: record-breaking aviatrix
Born in September 1909 as Jane Gardner Batten, she is best known for several record-breaking solo flights.
Batten also set the record for the fastest women’s solo flight between England and Australia, and she became the first woman to fly the return trip solo. Her other achievements include a record-breaking flight from England to Brazil in 1935, which led to her claiming the titles of the fastest crossing of the South Atlantic Ocean and the first woman to fly the England-South America route.
Most notably, Batten completed the first solo flight from England to New Zealand in 1936. Her journey, which took a little over 11 days, held the world record for 44 years.
Despite passing on nearly 41 years ago, Batten’s legacy lives on in the heart of aviation enthusiasts and aspiring pilots, who continue to be inspired by Batten’s passion and courage in breaking gender stereotypes.