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Wed, Dec 20, 2017

Gone West: Aerobatic Legend Mary Gaffaney

First Woman To Win World Aerobatic Competition Gold Medals

One of the world's greatest aerobatic pilots has Gone West. Aero-News has learned of the passing of Mary Gaffaney, who died recently in Miami, Florida at the age of 91.

In an obituary posted by The Miami Herald, Gaffaney learned to fly at the age of 16, and spent a good deal of her life in the air. Among her many accomplishments in aviation were becoming the first female skywriter in the U.S., the first female helicopter pilot in Florida, and the first woman to win Gold Medals in the World Aerobatic Competition in 1971 and 1972. A year prior, she became the first American to win a gold medal in world competition in 1970, according to information posted by the IAC Hall of Fame. In competition, she flew a black and yellow 180 hp Pitts Special.

Gaffaney owned Kendall Flying School and Kendall Gliderport in Miami. The held nearly every pilot rating that was available, according to the report.

(Image provided)

FMI: IAC HOF, Original Report

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