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Jeanne Herveau – France

  • First Female Pilot
Jeanne Heveau

Born in Paris, France, Jeanne Herveau (1885-1955) was an exhibition driver in automobiles before she became interested in aviation. She raced at Deauville, Chateau-Thierry, Gaillon, and Laffrey. She also raced motorcycles for a while.

In 1909, she began to take flight lessons at the Bleriot school at Mourmelon. She received her pilot licence on December 7, 1910, becoming the 5th woman in the world to do so.

In 1911, she got a contract job at La Societe de L’Ecole Nationale d’Aviation in Lyon, France, for appearances. Later that year, she began competing for the Coupe Femina. On 22 December 1911, she opened a flight school in France reserved for women, which apparently failed. She left aviation prior to World War I and never returned to it.

1910 - 1919
July 23, 2015 Centennial Team

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