Powder Puff Derby
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eight women pilots before they leave Palm Springs for 1948 Powder Puff Derby
The Powder Puff Derby was the name given to an annual transcontinental air race for women pilots inaugurated in 1947. For the next two years it was named the "Jacqueline Cochran All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race" (AWTAR). It was dubbed the "Powder Puff Derby" in reference to the 1929 Women's Air Derby by humorist and aviation advocate Will Rogers.
In 1977, rising costs, insurance premiums, and diminished corporate sponsorship saw the competition come to an end after thirty years. After the commemorative final flight, the Air Race Classic continued the tradition for women pilots.
Read about the original race in: Powder Puff Derby of 1929: The True Story of the First Women's Cross-Country Air Race Gene Nora Jessen, 2002
See also
External links
- The 1929 Air Race
- http://www.breakingthroughtheclouds.com/ is a documentary telling the story of this legendary race in great detail and with great attention to an accurate presentation of the aircraft and legendary women who participated.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.