Learning Center Our Enshrinees

Betty Skelton Frankman

• Began her professional aerobatic career in 1946 where she toured with the southeastern air show circuit and became part of the legendary group of performers of the postwar era.
• Established more combined aviation and automotive records than any other in history.
• Won the Feminine International Aerobatic Championship three times: 1948, 1949 and 1950.
• Became the first woman to perform an inverted ribbon cut only ten feet above the ground.
• In 1949 and 1951, she set the world light plane altitude record in a Piper Cub at  25,763 ft. and 29,050 ft. (respectively).
• Set a world speed record for piston-engine aircraft with a P-51 racing plane over 3 km course at 421.6 mph.
• Underwent NASA’s physical and psychological tests given to the original seven astronauts; Betty’s tests were featured on a LOOK magazine cover story in 1960.
• Known as “the First Lady of Firsts” and holds more combined aircraft and automotive records than anyone in history.