Women in Aviation Week

Written by Kate Lenny

This week marks Women in Aviation week (WIAW) 2024, this is an opportunity to highlight the global gender imbalance within the air and space industry and to encourage girls and women of all backgrounds into aviation.

Globally, women make up less than 5% of pilots and 2% of aircraft maintenance technicians, this trend is seen throughout the air and space industry. 

Up until the mid-1960s, women were actively excluded from the industry and until recently very little had been done to counteract the lasting effects of these discriminatory practices.

WIAW is celebrated annually on the week of March 8th , this marks the formal entry of women into aviation with the issuing of an official pilot's license to Raymonde de Laroche in 1909. In honour of WIAW it would only be fitting to look back at the inspiration for the week, and the incredible life of Raymonde de Laroche.

Discovering Flight

Born in Paris in 1882, Elise Raymonde Deroche forewent taking on the family plumbing business in favour of an acting career. It was then she adopted the stage name ‘Raymonde de Laroche.’ which she carried through the rest of her life.

In 1908 she was first exposed to aviation at one of Wilbur Wright’s public demonstration flights. It didn’t take De Laroche long to decide to pursue aviation herself, and just a year later, she began lessons under aviator and aircraft manufacturer Charles Voisin.

Voisin's aircraft could seat only one person, which meant her lessons consisted of operating the aircraft alone, with instructions being given by Voisin on the ground. After she mastered taxiing around the airfield, she lifted off and flew 270 m.

It’s Not Easy Being First

Raymonde de Laroche’s first solo flight was written up in the newsletter of the Royal Aero Club, which aptly reflects the views of the time and the condemnation de Laroche would have experienced upon entering an entirely male field.

“Yet another sphere which some had thought man would, for some time, at any rate, retain for his own been invaded by the gentler sex. Baroness La Roche has been successfully piloting a Voisin biplane, and has thereby earned the right to be known as the first lady flyer or ‘aviatress.’” However, these views did not deter De Laroche, “Flying is the best possible thing for women.”.

Notably in this article she is referred to as Baroness de Laroche, as the daughter of a plumber she did not come from nobility, however the title stuck, and she was continued to be referred to as "Baroness" throughout her aviation career. Shortly after, she received the 36th airplane pilot's licence issued by the Aeroclub de France, the world's first organization to issue pilot licences.

She embarked on a tour with the Voisin flight team to display her skills, at exhibitions around Europe and North Africa. She flew in Saint Petersburg, Egypt, Budapest, and various airfields around France.

The Challenges of Early Aviation

Gender discrimination was not all De Laroche had to contend with as flying in the 1910’s was a perilous endeavour. Most of the aircraft of that time were prone to violent pitch ups when encountering updrafts, were vastly under powered and stalled easily.

De Laroche was not immune to such difficulties and had her first great crash during an exhibition at Reims, when the plane fell from a height of 50 meters after stalling. The crash almost killed her, and her injuries prevented her from flying for almost two years.

On returning to aviation in 1913, de Laroche won the Aero-Club of France's Femina Cup for a non-stop, long-distance flight of over 4 hours duration, her flight being cut short only by a fuel line malfunction.

During World War I, she was unable to join the Airforce as flying was considered ‘too dangerous’ for women. Instead, she contributed to the war effort serving as a military driver, chauffeuring officers from the rear zones to the front line under fire. 

With the conclusion of the Great War, Raymonde further established herself in aviation, beginning work as an aeronautical engineer and flying the Caudron G.3 which had been flown in the war as a reconnaissance aircraft and trainer.

Leaving a Legacy

As the FAI did not recognise records set by women until 1929, women's achievements were rarely recorded. However, in June 1919, it is written that de Laroche set two women's altitude records, up to 15,700 feet, in addition to the women's distance record of 201 miles. By July 1919, de Laroche, had set her aspirations on becoming a test pilot. With her wealth of knowledge and her experience of both engineering and flying, she was to become the world's first female test pilot.

She was invited to commence training at Le Crotoy Airfield, to learn as a co-pilot under the experience of a professional test pilot. On the final approach to land, the experimental aircraft suddenly and inexplicably nose-dived vertically into the ground. She was killed instantly. 

The Importance of WIAW

When de Laroche officially became the 36th pilot on March 8, 1909, she made the first step, establishing women in aviation. Her story is an inspiring yet tragic one, reflecting the many women and men who lost their lives in the pursuit of aviation.

Aviation is not unique to other 20th century industries in that it was male dominated, however, unlike many of its counterparts, aviation has maintained this inequality both statistically and societally. 

WIAW is an opportunity to recognise this failure, but more importantly, to look towards the future of the aviation, with the ultimate goal being a gender-balanced industry.

As we look for ways to engage more women and girls into air and space careers, and the industry adapts to make these opportunities more accessible, it’s valuable to look back at the women, such as Raymonde de Laroche, who broke down these original barriers.