Women of NASA

Take Our Daughters To Work Day

Webchat with Carol Osborne, Aviation Historian

April 25, 2002

[ AnnMary/YWAC - 182 - 15:22:07 ]
Please be sure and identify yourself -- Johnny/6th/TX or Pam/4th/Mr.Johnson -- at the beginning of your question. Remember, don't use your last name. For example -- Jesse/6th/Mr.Green - How many people live on the ISS?

[ Amelia - 186 - 16:22:57 ]
unknown - 183 - 16:20:50 ]
Hi Amelia - How did it feel the first time you flew across the Atlantic?
I felt like a sack of potatoes because I did not actually do the flying. I was much happier five years later when I flew solo, five years after Charles Lindbergh.

[ Amelia - 191 - 16:24:20 ]
RE: [unknown] Hi Carol - Which did you fly better the Atlantic or the Pacific?
I liked them both, but in 1937 when I flew my Electra, I loved the newer technology.

[ Amelia - 192 - 16:25:47 ]
RE: [unknown] Hi Amelia - What were you like when you were young? Did other kids think you were crazy?
I was interested in many things like, horses, poetry, sports, and reading, almost everything. I was filled with curiosity and adventure.

[ Amelia - 193 - 16:27:44 ]
RE: [unknown] Sarah H./ Mrs. Smith Class - How long did your first flight take?
In 1932, took almost 14 hours when I flew solo the Atlantic and by this flight set a record on May 20-21.

[ Amelia - 194 - 16:29:24 ]
RE: [unknown] Were you ever scared?
Everyone is scared sometime in their life, but I loved the adventure no matter how scary.

[ Amelia - 195 - 16:30:59 ]
If anyone is interested in the celebration of Lindbergh's flight on May 18, 2002 go to www.lindberghspirit.com .

[ Amelia - 197 - 16:33:24 ]
RE: [unknown] What do you think Amelia would think about space travel today? Do you ever think she thougth about it?
I always knew that we would one day go into space, I am only sorry that it wasn't me who had the chance. I am so proud of Eileen Collins our first commander, Sally Ride our first women in space, and all of our wonderful astronauts in the space program.

[ Amelia - 198 - 16:35:03 ]
RE: [unknown] Amelia - What did you do for food? This Claire
During my long flights I eat very little. I loved taking my tomato juice and a chicken sandwich on some of my flights.

[ Amelia - 203 - 16:43:43 ]
RE: [unknown] Bethany, 8th grade What were your other interests besides flyig?
I liked to promote women's opportunities in aviation and other science programs. Several of my friends started on organization in 1929, called the 99s. In 1929 there were 117 licensed women pilots in America. 99 women sent their money to our newly formed organization. That's why it's called the 99s. The organization has over 7,000 pilots today. The website is ninety-nines.org and learn about the organization today.

[ Amelia - 204 - 16:49:19 ]
RE: [unknown] did you like reading all of the manuels on how to fly the planes?
I liked reading book about aviation, but we learned more from the "seat of my pants" (practice). When I wanted to fly I found a lady named Neta Snook, and she gave me my first flight instructions on Jan. 2, 1921. We flew in her Canuck, now a Canuck was a Canadian version of our old World War I Jenny used during the war. It was a bi-plane, and when learning to fly you could feel the wind in your face. We only had a compass, not all the instruments we have today.

[ Amelia - 208 - 16:51:53 ]
RE: [unknown] What was your inspiration? When you started flying was it already popular?
Flying was risky because there were many accidents because the equipment was not as good as ours today. I did all I could to encourage other women to fly.

[ Amelia - 209 - 16:53:17 ]
Today we have to remember to do the pre-flight check before ever getting into a plane for take-off.

[ Amelia - 210 - 16:54:22 ]
RE: [unknown] Sarah H. - What was your favorite authors?
I enjoyed reading Shakespeare, and everything containing plenty of adventure.

[ Amelia - 211 - 16:58:07 ]
RE: [unknown] Jamie/Pleasanton who taught you to fly?
Neta Snook taught me how to fly, she became a close friend. I worked in a telephone company to make money, and pay for my lessons with 25 dollar Liberty Bonds. On my birthday July 24, 1921 I bought my own airplane called the Kinner.

[ Amelia - 214 - 17:03:20 ]
RE: [unknown] Jamie/Pleasanton in what year did women start flying?
Well....Women started flying balloons before the turn of the century. But the first women who was credited for learning how to fly was Harriet Quimby on August 11, 1911. However, there was one other women before Harriet in France.

[ AnnMary/YWAC - 215 - 17:04:45 ]
Well, thank you for joining us!

[ Amelia - 216 - 17:06:56 ]
That will be the conclusion of our question and answers with Amelia Earhart. Thank you for your contributions and if you are more interested in women in aviation visit your local library today. Thank You!!