America’s greatest female pilot still lives

So who was America’s greatest female pilot? No it was not Amelia Earhart. I say that Amelia was not a naturally gifted pilot. She had many crackups and lost control of her plane on too many occasions.

The honor goes to Elinor Smith, born Aug. 17, 1911 and who grew up in Freeport. At age 15, she became the youngest woman in the world to fly solo. In September 1928, she flew under all four East River bridges. She went on to become a famous test pilot who flew 158 different models of aircraft. Elinor set speed, endurance and high altitude records. In 1930, she was selected as “Best Woman Pilot in America.” At age 90, she flew an experimental aircraft, the C33 Raytheon Beech Bonanza from NASA’s base at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.

Elinor flew in many air shows around the country and at Curtiss Field in Valley Stream. The money she made from speaking engagements and air shows was donated to charity and the unemployed.

The latest Hollywood movie, “Amelia,” gives a hint as to who was better, Earhart or Smith. In the movie, during flashback scenes of an early Amelia trying to set records, the narrator states that the strongest competitor will be Elinor Smith. It’s important to remember that Amelia Earhart gained fame by being the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean as a passenger. George Putnam, the powerful New York publicist, introduced Amelia Earhart as “Lady Lindy” and promoted her ruthlessly.

When Elinor Smith prepared to be the first woman to solo the Atlantic, George placed many obstacles to block her way. Mr. Putnam even offered Elinor Smith $75 per week to fly Amelia around the country on promotional tours. Putnam said, “When pictures are taken, you are to stand to the side as if Amelia is the pilot.”

It was decided that Amelia would not set out to duplicate Charles Lindbergh’s route, for her team doubted her ability to endure such a long flight. Her departure point would be Harbour Grace, Newfoundland.

On May 20, 1932, Amelia Earhart landed in a farm meadow in Teelin Head, County Donegal, in the northwest corner of Ireland. She was some 200 miles north of her stated track.