Smaranda Brăescu

Smaranda Brăescu (May 21, 1897 – February 2, 1948) was a Romanian flight and parachutist pioneer. She was the first female Romanian pilot, as well as a European and world parachuting champion.

Biography

She was born in the village of Hânţeşti, Buciumeni commune, Covurlui County (now Galaţi County).

In 1918, she flew for the first time in a Farman plane piloted by Captain Dumitru Naidinescu. In 1928, while in Germany, she jumped for the first time from a 6000 m height, becoming the first female Romanian parachutist. She also received her parachuting license in Germany.

On October 2, 1931, she skydived from a record height of 6,000 m, landing in the Bărăgan Plain.

References

* Dr. Valeriu Avram, [http://www.itcnet.ro/history/archive/mi2001/current5/mi59.htm "Smaranda Brăescu,o pasăre în văzduh" (Smaranda Brăescu, A Bird in the Sky)] , in "Magazin istoric", January 2001
* Costin Anghel, [http://www.jurnalul.ro/articol_31758/smaranda_braescu__eroina.html "Smaranda Brăescu, eroina" (Smaranda Brăescu, the Heroine)] , in "Jurnalul Naţional", April 10, 2005