Ruth Reinhold
American pilot and flight instructor (1902–1985)
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Ruth Reinhold (1902 — December 17, 1985) was an American pilot and flight instructor. Considered one of Arizona's first female pilots, she also worked as a flight instructor and served as a captain in the Civil Air Patrol.
Biography
Reinhold was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1902.[1] She studied fine arts at Boston University and later attended UCLA.[2] Reinhold moved to Arizona in 1933.[3]
Reinhold learned to fly in Sky Harbor, Arizona.[4] Prior to the start of World War II, Reinhold flew charter planes and taught in the Civilian Pilot Training Program.[5] After the start of the war, Reinhold taught instrument flying to B-24 bomber pilots.[4] She also served as a captain in the Civil Air Patrol and participated in search-and-rescue missions.[6] Reinhold was just below five feet in height, and tower operators would refer to her plane as "pilotless" due to difficulty in seeing her in the plane's cockpit.[6]
Reinhold was the first woman appointed to board for the Arizona Department of Aeronautics.[2] She also was the private pilot for Senator Barry Goldwater, including during his presidential run.[7] In 1982, she wrote and published a book on the history of aviation in Arizona entitled Sky Pioneering: Arizona in Aviation History.[5]
Death and legacy
Reinhold died on December 17, 1985.[4] She is remembered as one of Arizona's first female pilots,[8] and is the namesake of Arizona's Ruth Reinhold Award, given to recognize significant contributions to aviation safety.[9] Flight magazine Ninety-Nines called her "the foremost woman pilot in Arizona aviation history".[4]
Her awards include:
- In 1969, Reinhold received the Amelia Earhart Award in honor of her dedication to aviation[1]
- In 1986, Reinhold was inducted into the Arizona Women's Hall of Fame[5]
- In 1991, Reinhold was inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame[10]