Boffin cred: Not only did Smith begin flying lessons when she was just 10, she went on to break various awards, fly under all of New York’s East River Bridges (it’s never been done again), and became the youngest pilot in the world at age 16. In her lifetime, she earned a Fédération Aéronautique Internationale license, a Transport License by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, membership in the American Airforce Association and at the ripe old age of 88, she became the oldest pilot to simulate a NASA landing for the Ames Research Center. In short, she was a pioneering aviatrix with the mind for flying and the fearlessness to take it to new heights—literally. Here’s to you, Elinor.
