First female in Spain to obtain a Pilot's License: Maria Bernaldo de Quirós
A Pioneering Spirit: Maria Bernaldo de Quiroso, Spain's First Female Pilot
Maria Bernaldo de Quiroso, born on March 26, 1898, to the aristocratic family of Rafael Bernaldo de Quiroso y Mier and Consolación Bustillo y Mendoza, was a pioneering Spanish aviator who made history as the first woman in Spain to earn a pilot's license.
Born into a family that provided her with more opportunities than the average woman in Spain at the time, Maria's passion for aviation was evident from a young age. She dreamt of flying and her dreams took flight when she began training to pilot a de Havilland DH.60 Moth.
Under the tutelage of José Rodríguez y Díaz de Lecea, Maria received her pilot's license from the Real Aeroclub de España. This achievement marked a significant early milestone in Spanish and European aviation history, breaking gender barriers and paving the way for women in the industry.
Maria's career as a pilot was marked by numerous flying shows in Spain, where she performed daring stunts, including flying over the car of a Spanish duke. Her courage and skill earned her the respect of her peers and the admiration of the public.
Despite her personal challenges, including the loss of her first husband, Ramón Bernaldo de Quirós y Argüelles, in 1920, and the divorce from her second husband, José Manuel Sánchez-Arjona y Velasco, in 1929, Maria continued to pursue her passion for aviation.
Maria's contributions to the aviation industry are worth remembering and learning about. She is an inspirational figure in aviation, not just in Spain, but across Europe. Her name is joined by other trailblazing female aviators like Raymonde de Laroche, Amelia Earhart, and others, who dared to defy the odds and soar to new heights.
In recognition of her achievements, a street in Ciudad Rodrigo bears her name, and an aircraft owned by Spanish airline company Iberia is named after her. Maria Bernaldo de Quiroso's life and achievements serve as a testament to her indomitable spirit and her place in aviation history.
[1] https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesús_Maria_Bernaldo_de_Quirós_y_Muñoz [3] https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jes%C3%BAs_Maria_Bernaldo_de_Quir%C3%B3s_Mu%C3%B1oz
- Maria Bernaldo de Quiroso's accomplishments in aviation not only revolutionized Spain but also intertwined her name with other aviation pioneers like Raymonde de Laroche and Amelia Earhart, whose passion for science and undaunted spirit shattered barriers within the realm of space-and-astronomy and women's-health, contributing significantly to the progress of health-and-wellness and science.
- Beyond her notable achievements in aviation, Maria Bernaldo de Quiroso's spirit of adventure and determination considerably impacted various sectors. Her influence extended to realms beyond air travel, opening new avenues in science, health-and-wellness, and womens-health, evoking a resonating message of empowerment for today's scholars and innovators in these fields.
