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In 1944, a corps of female military pilots was formed and Boselli joined, with the rank of second lieutenant. She was trained in aerobatics and became a trainer herself. In February 1946 she received her military pilot's license, becoming the first woman in France to do so. As the war ended, however, she was forced to return to civilian aviation.<ref name=":0" /> In May 1947 she began training as a glider pilot under Paul Lepanse at Beynes, obtaining her licence four months later.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://jcpistoresi.wixsite.com/air-languedoc/en---elisabeth-boselli|title=AIR LANGUEDOC|newspaper=AIR LANGUEDOC|access-date=2017-01-23}}</ref> Boselli immediately began to enter competitions, setting a number of records.<ref name=":0" />
In 1944, a corps of female military pilots was formed and Boselli joined, with the rank of second lieutenant. She was trained in aerobatics and became a trainer herself. In February 1946 she received her military pilot's license, becoming the first woman in France to do so. As the war ended, however, she was forced to return to civilian aviation.<ref name=":0" /> In May 1947 she began training as a glider pilot under Paul Lepanse at Beynes, obtaining her licence four months later.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://jcpistoresi.wixsite.com/air-languedoc/en---elisabeth-boselli|title=AIR LANGUEDOC|newspaper=AIR LANGUEDOC|access-date=2017-01-23}}</ref> Boselli immediately began to enter competitions, setting a number of records.<ref name=":0" />


Boselli returned to the military in 1952, joining a presentation squadron of aerobatic pilots based at [[Étampes]] called [[Patrouille de France]].<ref name=":2" /> Boselli and the squadron performed in [[Monaco]], [[Algeria]] and [[Spain]].<ref name=":1" /> In 1957, she was offered an assignment in Algeria, which she accepted.<ref name=":0" /> She was based at Oued Hamimine, and flew military evacuations, transport missions and delivered supplies and mail to troops.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" />
Boselli returned to the military in 1952, joining a presentation squadron of aerobatic pilots based at [[Étampes]] called [[Patrouille de France]].<ref name=":2" /> Boselli and the squadron performed in [[Monaco]], [[Algeria]] and [[Spain]], with Boselli as one of the solo performers.<ref name=":1" /> In 1957, she was offered an assignment in Algeria, which she accepted.<ref name=":0" /> She was based at Oued Hamimine, and flew military evacuations, transport missions and delivered supplies and mail to troops.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" />


By the age of 45, she had accumulated 900 flight hours and 335 missions, and ceased flying. She spent the remainder of her career as an attaché-editor in the air navigation service until her retirement in 1969. For her services, she received the [[Legion of Honour|Legion of Honor]], the [[Cross for Military Valour]] and the [[Aeronautical Medal]].<ref name=":1" />
By the age of 45, she had accumulated 900 flight hours and 335 missions, and ceased flying. She spent the remainder of her career as an attaché-editor in the air navigation service until her retirement in 1969. For her services, she received the [[Legion of Honour|Legion of Honor]], the [[Cross for Military Valour]] and the [[Aeronautical Medal]].<ref name=":1" />


Boselli died in [[Lyon]] on 25 November 2005.<ref name=":1" />
In her retirement, Boselli was president of the history committee of the [[Aéro-Club de France|Aero Club of France]], and wrote her memoirs.<ref name=":0" /> Boselli died in [[Lyon]] on 25 November 2005.<ref name=":1" />


=== Records held ===
=== Records held ===

Revision as of 07:48, 24 January 2017

Captain Boselli

Élisabeth Thérèse Marie Juliette Boselli (11 March 1914 - 25 November 2005), was a French military and civilian pilot. She was the first female fighter pilot to serve in the French Air Force, and held eight world records for distance, altitude and speed.[1]

Biography

Boselli was born in Paris on 11 March 1914. She studied at École des Sciences Politiques in Paris and graduated in 1935.[1] While a student, she was involved in various humanitarian organizations, including the Red Cross.[2] She became interested in aviation after attending an aviation conference with her brother. Initially she volunteered at air fields, working in hangars and on engines, until in 1938 she obtained her private pilot's license.[3] She also purchased her own aircraft, a Leopoldoff.[4] She aimed to earn her public pilot's license, however World War II broke out and all civilian training was cancelled.[2]

In 1944, a corps of female military pilots was formed and Boselli joined, with the rank of second lieutenant. She was trained in aerobatics and became a trainer herself. In February 1946 she received her military pilot's license, becoming the first woman in France to do so. As the war ended, however, she was forced to return to civilian aviation.[2] In May 1947 she began training as a glider pilot under Paul Lepanse at Beynes, obtaining her licence four months later.[5] Boselli immediately began to enter competitions, setting a number of records.[2]

Boselli returned to the military in 1952, joining a presentation squadron of aerobatic pilots based at Étampes called Patrouille de France.[5] Boselli and the squadron performed in Monaco, Algeria and Spain, with Boselli as one of the solo performers.[4] In 1957, she was offered an assignment in Algeria, which she accepted.[2] She was based at Oued Hamimine, and flew military evacuations, transport missions and delivered supplies and mail to troops.[1][4]

By the age of 45, she had accumulated 900 flight hours and 335 missions, and ceased flying. She spent the remainder of her career as an attaché-editor in the air navigation service until her retirement in 1969. For her services, she received the Legion of Honor, the Cross for Military Valour and the Aeronautical Medal.[4]

In her retirement, Boselli was president of the history committee of the Aero Club of France, and wrote her memoirs.[2] Boselli died in Lyon on 25 November 2005.[4]

Records held

  • World women's altitude records for single glider: reached 5,300 m on December 22, 1947 and 5,600 m on April 6, 1948[2][6]
  • World altitude record for light aircraft: 5,791 m on May 21, 1949[2][6]
  • World women's speed record for closed-circuit jets: 746 kph on January 26, 1955[5]
  • World women's distance record for closed-circuit jets: 1,840 km on February 21, 1955[5]
  • World record for distance in a straight line for jet aircraft: 2,331,220 km on March 1, 1955[2][4][5]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Elisabeth Boselli". pics-aeronef.discutfree.com (in French). Retrieved 2017-01-23.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Elisabeth BOSELLI". www.janinetissot.fdaf.org. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
  3. ^ "Elisabeth BOSELLI". www.vieillestiges.com. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Gaëtan. "Élisabeth BOSELLI - Biographie avionslegendaires.net". avionslegendaires.net (in French). Retrieved 2017-01-23.
  5. ^ a b c d e "AIR LANGUEDOC". AIR LANGUEDOC. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
  6. ^ a b "Elisabeth BOSELLI". www.vieillestiges.com. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
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