Jacqueline Cochran, Aviatrix Extraordinaire!

Bessie Mae Pittman a/k/a Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran, hairdresser extraordinaire in Saks Fifth Avenue Stores.

Meet one of the most interesting female pilots with a career lasting over four decades flying airplanes and being involved in aviation.

Early Life

Bessie Mae Pittman was born on May 11, 1906, and grew up in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, and always lived life on her own terms.

Throughout her adult life, she went by the name Jacqueline Cochran claiming she was an orphan, but privately stayed in touch with the Pittman family.

At the age of 10 years old, she left her job working in a cotton mill for a live-in job at a beauty salon while studying to become a nurse.

By the early 1930s, she had become a hairdresser at the fashionable Anotoine's Salon in Saks Fifth Avenue stores in New York City and Miami, Florida.

But this was only the start of her desire to be her own boss and start her own company.

Jackie Learns To Fly

At the same time as she was contemplating starting her business her husband, Floyd Odlum, encouraged her to learn to fly. 

Floyd Oldum, founder of the Atlas Corporation and investor in RKO Studios, Convair, and Northeast Airlines.

Odlum was one of the few investors in 1929 who survived the depression because he had moved out of stocks and had $ 14,000,000 in cash when the stock market crashed. 

Odlum had encouraged Jackie to learn to fly to help market the newly formed Atlas Corporation. 

Jacqueline Cochran was as determined as ever, enrolling in the Roosevelt Flying School on Long Island where she soloed in 1932 and received her pilot's license after only three weeks of instruction!

With her license in hand, she immediately went to the Ryan School of Aeronautics to build up flying time and get her instrument rating, commercial pilot's certificate, and transport pilot license. 

By 1934 Jackie had entered the MacRobertson Air Race from London, England to Melbourne, Australia, flying a Granville R-6G QED aircraft.

Jaqueline Cochran's Granville Gee Bee R-6 Q.E.D. NR14307 being fueled.

Unfortunately, mechanical problems forced her to quit the race in Bucharest, Hungary.

In 1935 Jacqueline established Jacqueline Cochran Cosmetics, Wings of Beauty, in Chicago, Los Angeles, and eventually on New York's Fifth Avenue, successfully competing with Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden beauty salons. 

Records Just Had To Be Broken

To Jaqueline "Jackie" Cochran setting aviation records was the most important thing she could do.

And, she did set a lot of records!

Her Early Records

1. In 1937 flying her Beech D-17W Staggerwing aircraft she set two women's speed records.
2. These records were followed by three major (men's and women's) flying records.
3. In 1938 she won the prestigious Bendix Trophy Race.

Beechcraft C17L Staggerwing - the first aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Company of Wichita, Kansas.

On April 4, 1938, Jacqueline Cochran was awarded the Harmon International Aviatrix Trophy by Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt in a ceremony in New York City.

Jackie Cochran is presented the Harmon International Aviatrix Trophy by Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt

But her quest for more records is interrupted by the approaching war in Europe.

World War II

Again, Jacqueline's ambition showed itself in 1941 rounded up a group of 27 highly qualified U.S. women pilots to ferry military aircraft for the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary) in Great Britain.

After the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor Jacqueline received a request from Army General "Hap" Arnold to organize the WFTD (Women's Flying Training Detachment) to train civilian women pilots.

General Arnold anticipated a need for women pilots to ferry aircraft while their male counterparts were flying combat missions.

The WFTD was first based in Houston but then moved to Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, where the women received primary flight training from military instructors.

The WFTD was soon merged with Nany Love's WAFS (Women's Auxiliary Ferry Squadron) to form the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).

These amazing women pilots went on to fly over 60 million miles ferrying all types of military aircraft including Boeing B-17 and B-29 bombers.

Four members of the World War II WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) at Lockbourne Army Airfield during World War II.

Unfortunately, due to some complications, the WASPs were prevented from being absorbed into the WAAC (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps).

In 1977 this problem was finally resolved, and the WASP was finally able to receive retroactive military status.

In August 1945 Jacqueline Cochran received the U.S. Army Medal for Distinguished Service for exceptional meritorious service to the United States.

For Distinguished Service Medal was awarded to Jacqueline Cochran in August 1945.

Wait! Jacqueline Cochran is not done yet. Next week I will finish this interesting story.

I hope you enjoyed this trip through some of the history of aviation. If you enjoyed this trip, and are new to this newsletter, sign up to receive your own weekly newsletter here: Subscribe here!

Until next time, keep your eyes safe and focused on what's ahead of you, Hersch!