Susana Ferrari Billinghurst

Susana Ferrari Billinghurst (1914 – 1999) was an Argentine aviator. She was the first woman in South America to earn a commercial pilot's license, in 1937.

Career

In 1937, Billinghurst became the first woman in South America to earn a commercial pilot's license. In 1940, she piloted an amphibious Sikorsky from Panama to Argentina (4000 miles).

During the 1943 Revolution Day in Argentina, she entered the presidential house with a symbolic bouquet, getting from the new president a historical engagement in favour of women's rights, particularly in the aviation field.

In November 1943, she made a flight to Uruguay with two other aviators, officially representing the Argentine government.

Family

Billinghurst was the grandmother of actress Luciana Pedraza, who herself is married to Robert Duvall. She is also the granddaughter of British General Robert Billinghurst, the niece of Argentine aviator Lisandro Billinghurst, and cousin of Guillermo Billinghurst, who was the president of Peru.

Bibliography

Vitry, Roberto. Mujeres Salteñas: "Susana Ferrari Billinghurst". Editorial Hanne, año 2000.

External links

* [http://aviadorabillinghurst.6te.net/ Susana Ferrari's biography. Webpage "in memoriam" of Susana Ferrari Billinghurst]
* [http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/06/19/robert_duvall_has_a_flying_pedigree Artículo Star Pulse 19/6/2006- "Hollywood legend Robert Duvall discovers he married into a family of great Argentinean aviators". ]
* [http://www.clarin.com/diario/2007/07/05/sociedad/s-03201.htm Artículo Clarin 5/7/2007- "Pioneras de la aviación argentina". ]