Amy Johnson Biography

One of the most influential and inspirational women of the 20th century, Amy Johnson was the first female pilot to fly solo from London to Australia. Along with her husband Jim Mollison, she managed to set many long-distance records during the 1930s. After graduating from the University of Sheffield, she moved to London, where she started working as a secretary to a solicitor. It was during this phase that she visited the Stag Lane Aerodrome in North London and was captivated by the primitive biplanes. Soon, she started spending all her spare time in the aerodrome. In an era dominated by patriarchal norms and beliefs, Amy Johnson was a beacon of hope for many women who strived to achieve their dreams. She was also the first British-trained woman ground engineer, and for a while, she was the only female ground engineer in the world. Her commercial flying career ended with the start of World War II, during which she joined the Air Transport Auxiliary. It comprised of experienced pilots who were ineligible for the RAF service. She was tasked with the duty of ferrying the aircraft from factory airstrips to RAF bases. During one such flying mission, Amy’s aircraft crashed into the Thames Estuary near Herne Bay. She is believed to have died in the crash; however, her body was never recovered.