Amy Johnson: The Pioneering Pilot

Fascinating People Fascinating Places

In May 1930, a young English woman from Yorkshire arrived in Sydney, Australia she received a welcome fit for a Queen.

Amy Johnson had become the first female pilot to fly from the United Kingdom to Australia. It was a remarkable feat for the 26 year old aviator who was born the same year the Wright brothers launched the first flight. It was also a notable achievement for a British woman considering that just two years earlier most women (Johnson included) weren’t even allowed to vote.

In this episode I explore the life of the extraordinary aviator, from her childhood through her greatest triumphs up until her tragic and still controversial death.

Music: Pixabay

Film: Amy Johnson speaks with Jim Mollison, her husband, before her departure on solo flight to the Cape.

On this day in 1930, Amy Johnson became the 1st woman to fly solo from England to Australia. Big City down under gives courageous girl flyer big reception. Amy Johnson makes a lovely speech.

Amy Johnson discusses plans for her tour

British Movietone. Public Domain

Polygoon Hollands Nieuws (producent) / Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid (beheerder) Public Domain

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