Lillian Boyer

Lillian Boyer, an American wing walker, performed numerous aerial stunts that included wing walking, automobile-to-airplane transfers, and parachute jumps between 1921 and 1929.

Wing walking career

Working as a restaurant waitress but eager to fly in an airplane, in 1921 Lillian Boyer was invited by two restaurant customers to take an airplane ride. On her second flight, she climbed out on the wing thus beginning her career as an aerial performer. [ TheHenryFord.org, [http://www.thehenryford.org/museum/heroes/barnstormers/lillianboyer.asp Lillian Boyer, "Empress of the Air" p.1] ]

In December 1921, she began a 5-month training with pilot Lt. Billy Brock, former World War I pilot and barnstormer. [ TheHenryFord.org, [http://www.hfmgv.org/museum/heroes/barnstormers/lillianboyer_p2.asp Lillian Boyer, "Empress of the Air" p.2] ]

She performed many daring stunts and achieved great public acclaim until 1929 when federal regulations on low flying and unsafe planes forced her and many other barnstormers into retirement. [ TheHenryFord.org, [http://www.hfmgv.org/museum/heroes/barnstormers/lillianboyer_p3.asp Lillian Boyer, "Empress of the Air" p.3] ]

Her performances included
* 352 shows in 41 states and Canada, most of them wing-walking
* 143 automobile-to-plane changes
* 37 parachute jumps (13 into Lake Erie)

Photos of Aerial Stunts

Notes

ee also

*Air Commerce Act, 1926