For the final Saturday of each month, a different and unique feature will be published. Today’s narrative takes a look at an impressive achievement from the Buckeye state of Ohio. Saturday’s regular feature, “Trivia’s Facts and More,” will return next week.
The state of Ohio has proudly displayed one of its favorite nicknames on vehicle license plates, “Birthplace of Aviation.” This recognition has traced history back to the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, and their bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio. Here they planned and successfully designed America’s first aircraft.
Fast forwarding from these early days of aviation as the 20th century unfolded, an Ohio woman sought to make aviation history in 1964. Geraldine (Jerrie) Mock became the first woman to fly solo around the world.
As a mother of three, this Newark native described herself as “the flying housewife.” After earning her pilot license at age 32, Jerrie joined her pilot husband, Russ, for frequent small aircraft flights.
Growing up, Jerrie seemed destined for a more adventurous life. She recalled these memorable words, “I knew one thing. I wanted to see the world. I did not conform to what girls did. What the girls did was boring.”
As her plans advanced toward reality, many assisted her journey financially. Cessna, Javelin Aviation, and the Columbus Dispatch (newspaper) provided timely help.
Jerrie’s plane was a single-engine Cessna 180. The plane’s call sign was N1538C, but it was shortened to Three-Eight Charlie. Her plane was nicknamed the “Spirit of Columbus.”
Jerrie mock enjoyed dressing like a lady when she flew around the world. pictured next to her faithful cessna, one can see that she certainly added style to her adventure. (courtesy of pinterest)
The Cessna aircraft was outfitted with several upgrades:
- dual directional finders
- short-range radios
- long-range high-frequency radio
- autopilot
- three extra-large fuel tanks (increased the plane’s range to 3,500 miles)
Jerrie’s adventure took-off from the Port Columbus Airport on March 19, and she successfully returned on April 17. Her around-the-world trek endured radio and brake problems as well as bad weather.
One of the flight’s biggest challenges was when Jerrie landed by mistake on an Egyptian military base. Another occurred when she noticed a burning wire while surrounded by extra tanks of fuel. Fortunately, these two potentially flight-ending mishaps were taken care of quickly and without any further issues.
The flight exceeded 23,000 miles (actually 23,103) with an elapsed time of 29 days, 11 hours, and 59 minutes.
Jerrie’s route went east from Columbus toward the Atlantic Ocean with further miles flown over the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, and Pacific Ocean. Some of her stops included the Azores, Casablanca, Cairo, Karachi, Calcutta, Bangkok, and Honolulu.
American President Lyndon Johnson awarded Jerrie the Federal Aviation Administration’s Gold Medal for Exceptional Service. Her faithful partner, the Cessna aircraft, was exhibited at the National Air and Space Museum at Washington, DC.
Big Sky Buckeye 