Career Timeline of Amelia Earhart: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Amelia Earhart, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Amelia Earhart was a pioneering American aviator who disappeared over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 during an attempt to circumnavigate the globe. A champion of women's rights and commercial aviation, she was the first woman to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic. Earhart set numerous aviation records, authored best-selling books about her experiences, and helped found The Ninety-Nines, an organization for female pilots. Her disappearance cemented her status as a global cultural icon, symbolizing courage and the pursuit of dreams.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

January 3, 1921: First Flying Lesson

On January 3, 1921, Amelia Earhart had her first flying lesson with Neta Snook at Kinner Field, marking the beginning of her aviation career.

October 22, 1922: World Record for Female Pilots

On October 22, 1922, Amelia Earhart flew the Airster to an altitude of 14,000 feet (4,300 m), setting a world record for female pilots.

May 16, 1923: Receives Pilot's License

On May 16, 1923, Amelia Earhart became the 16th woman in the United States to be issued a pilot's license by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).

1925: Employment at Denison House

In 1925, Amelia Earhart secured employment as a teacher and later as a social worker at Denison House in Boston, while residing in Medford, Massachusetts.

1927: First Flight out of Dennison Airport

In 1927, Amelia Earhart piloted the first official flight out of Dennison Airport in Quincy, Massachusetts, demonstrating her growing involvement in aviation.

June 17, 1928: First Woman to Cross the Atlantic as Passenger

On June 17, 1928, Amelia Earhart departed from Trepassey Harbor, Newfoundland, as a passenger aboard a Fokker F.VIIb/3m named Friendship, landing in South Wales after 20 hours and 40 minutes, becoming the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by airplane.

June 19, 1928: Arrival in England

On June 19, 1928, Amelia Earhart flew to Woolston, Southampton, England, where she received a welcome. She then flew an Avro Avian aircraft owned by Lady Mary Heath.

August 1928: Solo Flight Across North America

In August 1928, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the North American continent and back, marking a significant achievement in her aviation career.

1928: First Female Passenger Across the Atlantic

In 1928, Amelia Earhart gained celebrity status after becoming the first female passenger to cross the Atlantic by airplane.

1928: Earhart becomes aviation editor for Cosmopolitan

In 1928, Earhart became aviation editor for Cosmopolitan.

1929: Lecture Tours and Endorsements

In 1929, Amelia Earhart continued her lecture tour and received endorsements for products, including luggage. However, an endorsement for Lucky Strike cigarettes led to McCall's magazine retracting an offer.

1929: Women's Air Derby Participation

In 1929, Amelia Earhart participated in the Women's Air Derby, finishing third in the heavy division after a competitor's accident. The race started on August 18 and ended on August 26.

1929: Promotion of Air Travel

In 1929, Amelia Earhart was appointed by Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT) along with Margaret Bartlett Thornton to promote air travel, particularly for women, and helped set up the Ludington Airline, the first regional shuttle service.

1929: Recognition by Experienced Pilots

In 1929, Amelia Earhart's piloting skills and professionalism were acknowledged by experienced professional pilots, highlighting her growing reputation in the aviation community.

1929: Meeting of Female Pilots

In 1929, following the Women's Air Derby, Amelia Earhart called a meeting of female pilots.

1929: US Coast Guard cutter sent to Howland Island for communication and navigation support

In 1929, in preparation for Earhart's trip to Howland Island, the U.S. Coast Guard sent the cutter USCGC Itasca to offer communication and navigation support for the flight.

1930: Set Women's Aviation Records

Between 1930 and 1935, Amelia Earhart set seven women's speed-and-distance aviation records in various aircraft.

1930: Earhart works for Cosmopolitan

From 1928 to 1930, Earhart served as aviation editor for Cosmopolitan.

1930: Official of the National Aeronautic Association

In 1930, Amelia Earhart became an official of the National Aeronautic Association and promoted the establishment of separate women's records.

1930: First President of Ninety-Nines

In 1930, Amelia Earhart became the first president of the Ninety-Nines, an organization of female pilots.

April 8, 1931: World Altitude Record

On April 8, 1931, Amelia Earhart set a world altitude record of 18,415 feet (5,613 m) flying a Pitcairn PCA-2 autogyro borrowed from the Beech-Nut Chewing Gum company.

May 20, 1932: Solo Transatlantic Flight

On May 20, 1932, Amelia Earhart took off from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, and landed in a pasture north of Derry, Northern Ireland, completing her solo transatlantic flight in 14 hours and 56 minutes.

1932: First Woman to Fly Solo Transatlantic

In 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to make a nonstop solo transatlantic flight, earning her the Distinguished Flying Cross.

1934: Intervention for Isabel Ebel

In 1934, Amelia Earhart helped Isabel Ebel be accepted as the first woman student of aeronautical engineering at New York University (NYU).

1934: Refusal to Open Race

In 1934, Amelia Earhart refused to fly Mary Pickford to Cleveland to open the Bendix Trophy Race, after women were banned from competing.

1934: Considering Business Partnership

Since late 1934, Amelia Earhart had been considering a business partnership with Paul Mantz.

January 11, 1935: Solo Flight from Honolulu to Oakland

On January 11, 1935, Amelia Earhart became the first aviator to fly solo from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Oakland, California, using a Lockheed 5C Vega.

April 19, 1935: Solo Flight to Mexico City

On April 19, 1935, Amelia Earhart flew solo from Los Angeles to Mexico City in her Lockheed Vega, nicknamed "old Bessie, the fire horse".

September 1935: Establishment of Flying School

In September 1935, Amelia Earhart and Paul Mantz established the Earhart-Mantz Flying School, operated through Mantz's aviation company, United Air Services, teaching instrument flying using Link Trainers.

1935: Contemplating a Circumnavigation

By 1935, Amelia Earhart was contemplating a circumnavigation of the globe near its waistline and needing a new aircraft for the venture.

1935: Visiting Faculty Member at Purdue University

In 1935, Amelia Earhart joined Purdue University as a visiting faculty member, advising in aeronautical engineering and counseling female students.

1935: Participation in the Bendix Trophy Race

In 1935, Amelia Earhart participated in the Bendix Trophy long-distance air race, finishing fifth, with her Lockheed Vega being outclassed by purpose-built aircraft. The race was marked by a competitor's death and challenging weather conditions.

July 1936: Lockheed Electra Built

In July 1936, Lockheed Aircraft Company built the Lockheed Electra 10E airplane for Amelia Earhart, funded by Purdue University, fitted with extra fuel tanks and other modifications. Earhart named the twin-engine monoplane her "flying laboratory".

1936: Planning Around the World Flight

Early in 1936, Amelia Earhart started planning to fly around the world, aiming to become the first woman to do so, covering a distance of 29,000 miles (47,000 km) along an equatorial route.

March 1937: Recovery of Earhart's Lockheed Electra engine nacelle after Hawaii crash

Following the March 1937 Hawaii crash, a small section of Earhart's Lockheed Electra starboard engine nacelle was recovered and confirmed as authentic. It is now used as a control piece for authenticating possible future discoveries.

March 17, 1937: Earhart's round-the-world flight attempt abandoned after crash

On March 17, 1937, Amelia Earhart and her crew began their round-the-world flight from Oakland, California to Honolulu, Hawaii. However, the attempt was abandoned after an uncontrolled ground-loop during takeoff at Luke Field in Pearl Harbor, which damaged the aircraft. The cause of the crash is unknown, and the aircraft was sent to Lockheed Burbank for repairs.

June 29, 1937: Earhart and Noonan arrive in Lae, New Guinea

On June 29, 1937, Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan arrived in Lae, New Guinea, after departing from Miami on June 1 and making numerous stops across South America, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia. At this point, they had completed approximately 22,000 miles of their journey, with about 7,000 miles remaining over the Pacific Ocean.

1940: Vice President of National Airways

By 1940, Amelia Earhart had been appointed Vice President of National Airways (later Northeast Airlines), further cementing her influence in the aviation industry.