Only in a few countries (e.g. German Empire, USA, France) it was possible for women to be trained as pilots before 1914. The quota of women among trainee pilots reached (as today) only 10%. Kathrine Wright – the sister of the famous Wright Brothers – already flew already in 1910. At that time Berlin-Johannisthal was one of the centers of the early European aviation movement that attracted attention from all parts of the world. Besides there was an aircraft factory of the Wright Brothers, where Jewgenija Schachowskaja received a German pilot’s license (No. 271).
Schachowskajas‘ path to become a flying trainee was typical for the time: being a cousin of the Tzar Nicholas II. she had plenty of money and time to dedicate herself to a back then as well as today exclusive hobby. Apart from this, she showed in her position as test pilot of the Wright-factory that she had the courage and technological competence to test the new planes. She also participated in flight shows in Berlin and gained the reputation of a fearless pilot.
She had a relationship with the chief pilot of the Wright-factory, Asewolod Abramowitsch. In 1912 she offered her services to the Italian Military during the Italo-Turkish War, the first War planes have been used as weapons. But her offer was declined by the Italians. During a flight together with Abramowitsch in April 1913 at the airfield Johannisthal the plane was caught by a gust of wind and crashed. After the death of Abramowitsch she swore never to fly again, it is said. Conflicting tales concerning her further destiny are current. Some historians claim that Jewgenija Schachowskaja participated as the first female military pilot in history on the Russian side in the First World War, even though only as scout and not as fighter. It is only confirmed, that she learned how to fly in Berlin. The historiography of Soviet Russia might have overestimated her biography – concerning the Russian Civil War the sources are rare and her trace is lost among speculations. In the 1920ties about 2% of the members of the Red Army were females. Among approx. 60.000 female soldiers have been female scouting and transport pilots but the destiny of Schachowskaja remains uncertain.
Literature:
Lebow, Eilen F.: Before Amelia. Women Pilots in the Early Days of Aviation, Dulles (Virginia)
2002, S. 92ff.
Pennington, Reina: Wings, Women & War. Kansas 2001, S. 8.
Questions:
1) Why has the woman quota among trainee pilots not changed significantly within the past 100 years Why remained aviation until today a male dominated sphere?
2) Is aviation today a “male profession ?” If the answer is “yes” what could be the reason that women are more attracted to the profession of stewardesses than pilots?
3) Did the experience of the First World War contribute to the connotation of the profession as pilot with myths of martial masculinity? Take into consideration that uniforms are used also commercial aviation
Compiled by Christian Taube.
