Aviation Pioneer. Along with her sister Katherine, she became one of the first female pilots in America, becoming the ninth overall to do so. She attended Millsap College in Jackson Mississippi, and earned her pilot's license in 1914 at the age of 18 receiving FAI Certificate No. 303. In May 1915, she became the first flying mail carrier in Texas history. For a time she did barnstorming, performing ariel stunts across the country. Her and her sister trained more than 80 American and Canadian pilots at the family owned Stinson School of Flying, located at Fort Sam Houston in Texas now part of the San Antonio Municipal Airport. Many of the Canadian pilots later served with the RFC (Royal Flying Corp) and RAF. Like her elder sister, she earned a reputation as one of the best instructors and pilots in the nation, and, like her sister, she offered her services to the US Army when war broke out in 1917 but was rejected. Dubbed "The Flying Schoolmarm," she continued to barnstorm after the war at county fairs and airports until 1928, when she decided to quit flying. She moved in 1930 to Washington, DC, where she worked as an aeronautical draftsman at the War Department for 15 years. Retiring in 1945, she returned to her first love, aviation, devoting her time to aviation research and history. Madge never married, and as per her request, was cremated and had her ashes scattered over Stinson Field in San Antonio on July 27th, 1976.
Aviation Pioneer. Along with her sister Katherine, she became one of the first female pilots in America, becoming the ninth overall to do so. She attended Millsap College in Jackson Mississippi, and earned her pilot's license in 1914 at the age of 18 receiving FAI Certificate No. 303. In May 1915, she became the first flying mail carrier in Texas history. For a time she did barnstorming, performing ariel stunts across the country. Her and her sister trained more than 80 American and Canadian pilots at the family owned Stinson School of Flying, located at Fort Sam Houston in Texas now part of the San Antonio Municipal Airport. Many of the Canadian pilots later served with the RFC (Royal Flying Corp) and RAF. Like her elder sister, she earned a reputation as one of the best instructors and pilots in the nation, and, like her sister, she offered her services to the US Army when war broke out in 1917 but was rejected. Dubbed "The Flying Schoolmarm," she continued to barnstorm after the war at county fairs and airports until 1928, when she decided to quit flying. She moved in 1930 to Washington, DC, where she worked as an aeronautical draftsman at the War Department for 15 years. Retiring in 1945, she returned to her first love, aviation, devoting her time to aviation research and history. Madge never married, and as per her request, was cremated and had her ashes scattered over Stinson Field in San Antonio on July 27th, 1976.
Bio by: Frank Russo
Family Members
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