Hanna Reitsch Biography

This author is celebrated for her pioneering achievements in aviation. She became the first woman to fly a helicopter, a rocket plane, a jet fighter, and a glider across the Alps. Her remarkable aerial skills were recognized during World War II, where she earned the Iron Cross First Class and the Luftwaffe Combined Pilots-Observation Badge in Gold with Diamonds, making her the only woman to ever receive these accolades. Despite a temporary ban from flying post-war, she returned to the sport, achieving success in the World Gliding Championships.