Literary Aviatrix Classics: Aviatrix by Elinor Smith — The Flying Flapper Who Outsmarted Putnam, Outflew the Boys, and Spilled All the Aviation Tea
Description
Hold on to your flight goggles — this episode might be our juiciest Literary Aviatrix Classics yet.
In this roundtable, Dr. Jacque Boyd, Captain Jenny Beatty, and I dive into Aviatrix: The Story of Elinor Smith, the 1981 memoir of the teenage pilot who took the 1920s aviation world by storm.
Elinor Smith — “The Flying Flapper of Freeport” — was famous for flying under New York’s East River bridges at just seventeen, setting endurance and altitude records, and standing toe-to-toe with the biggest names in early aviation, from Jimmy Doolittle to Amelia Earhart.
We talk about her outrageous feats, her sharp wit, her complicated relationships with the men (and women) of her era, and the political games of George Putnam that still echo through aviation history.
It’s history, fierce flying, gossip, mentorship, and womanhood — all wrapped in one bold memoir.
✈️ Topics include:
· Elinor’s bridge stunt and early fame
· The rivalry (and respect) between Elinor Smith and Amelia Earhart
· The dirty dealings of aviation icons and prominent promoters.
· Women’s solidarity and tension in 1920s aviation
· Why Aviatrix should be required reading for every pilot
Even after you listen to us dish about it for 2+ hours you’ll still want to read it yourself. There are a few used copies on the market and it’s available in e-book: https://literaryaviatrix.com/book/aviatrix-elinor-smith/
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Thanks so much for listening!
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Blue skies, happy reading, and happy listening!
-Liz Booker
United States
