1/12/1935: Earhart's First Hawaii Solo Flight

DALLAS — Today, in 1935, iconic aviator Amelia Earhart made history by becoming the first person to fly solo between Hawaii and the US mainland. She embarked on this remarkable journey using her reliable Lockheed 5C Vega aircraft, taking off from Honolulu's Wheeler Field just before 17:00 local time, with her destination set for Oakland, California.

Covering a distance of 2,408 miles, the crossing demanded nearly 19 hours of Earhart's time and effort. A crowd of over 10,000 people welcomed her upon her arrival in Oakland. 10 previous aviators tragically lost their lives while attempting this very crossing.

However, Earhart's flight went smoothly, as she encountered no mechanical issues that could hinder her progress. She even had the opportunity to enjoy "the broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera from New York" during the final hours of her journey.

Despite facing persistent pressure, including discouragement from her sponsors, Earhart remained resolute in her determination. She firmly declared, "I intend to fly to California within this next week, with or without your support."

Throughout her adventure, Earhart carried a special pennant bestowed upon her by the Society of Women Geographers, symbolizing her connection to the organization and their support for her remarkable endeavor.

'Old Bessie the Fire Horse'

The Lockheed Vega, equipped with a high-wing monoplane design and powered by a Pratt & Whitney WASP SIDI 550 HP engine, played a significant role in Amelia Earhart's renowned flights. She developed a strong attachment to the aircraft and affectionately named it "old Bessie the fire horse."

Expressing her aspirations at the time, Earhart remarked, "I wanted the flight just to contribute. I could only hope one more passage across that part of the Pacific would mark a little more clearly the pathway over which an air service of the future will inevitably ply."

Initially, Earhart had set her sights on flying to Salt Lake City, Utah, which would have shattered her long-distance record as a female pilot. Unfortunately, adverse weather conditions forced her to conclude her journey in Oakland, as originally planned.

Featured image: Amelia Earhart was an aviation pioneer who tragically disappeared during her round-the-world attempt in 1937.

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