FAMOUS AVIATRIX.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 108, 10 May 1939, Page 11

FAMOUS AVIATRIX.

First Woman To Pilot Regular Passengers. DEATH BY FALL FROM TRAM. (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON", May 9. The death occurred, after a fall from the top deck of a tiamcar, of the once prominent airwoman, Mrs. Reginald Williams, formerly Lady Heath. Sophia Catherine Mary Pence-Evans, pioneer British nil woman, was born in J8!)S in Knockadei r.v. Ireland. She began her career as secretary of the Ladies' Athenaeum Club, and was out , of those who founded the Women'e Athletic AfuKH-intiun in 1022. She represented Britain in the javelin throwing content at .the Women's International Oilmen at Gotlicnbiiig in 11)28. In the mime year, us Mix. Elliott Lynn, she took to the air, and was the first woman to loop the loop and to obtain a pilot's lieenee for carrying on a regular air route. In 1927 «he married Sir James Heath, a rich ironmaater.

In 1928 ehe made trie first fitj?ht by a woman from Capetown to London. It was carried out in a tiny Avro-Avian of only 30 Ji.p. After an adventurous trip she arrived in London on May 17. The flight was the firc+t by a woman through Africa, ami she was al«o the first person to fly alone from Capetown to Caiio. Lady Heath made an altitude record at Oroydon in October, 1028, when she reached 23.000 ft. Having obtained an American license, Lady Heath resumed flying, and in April, 1929, showed the American*! a new idea by becoming the first "aerial salewoman." In a light aeroplane in which ehe made a tour of 3000 milee, acting as pilot, mechanic and business woman, she obtained orders for more than 100 British-designed aero engines. In August, while taking part in the national air races, ehe crashed on to the roof of a factory at Cleveland, Ohio, sustaining grave injuries, the most serious of which was a fracture of the ekull. In January, 1930, it was announced from Reno that Lady Heath had hrepin proceedings for divorce. She alleged cruelty, and stated that at the time of the marriage she wae not 30. while Sir James Heath vm 75, and that although extremely wealthy he was penurious. They were divorced in 1932, and ehe subsequently married a third time. MID-AIR CRASH. SEVEN PEOPLE KILLED. Independent Cable Service. LISBOX, May 9. Seven people were burned to death at Saragosea following a collision in mid-air between two aeroplanes.