Jacqueline Auriol

Jacqueline Auriol
Jacqueline Auriol
Born	November 5, 1917 (age 109); Challans, Vendée, France
Died	February 11, 2000 (aged 82)
Occupation(s)	Aviator, test pilot
Known for	Establishing several world speed records; pioneering female test pilot

Jacqueline Marie-Thérèse Suzanne Auriol (; ; 5 November 1917 – 11 February 2000) was a pioneering French aviator who established several world speed records.

Biography

Originating from Challans, Vendée, she was the daughter of Edmond Pierre Douet, a prosperous shipbuilder. Auriol completed her studies at the University of Nantes and pursued art education at Paris's École du Louvre. In 1938, she wed Paul Auriol, son of Vincent Auriol, who would later become President of France. During the German occupation in World War II, she actively contributed to the French Resistance efforts.

Her aviation journey commenced in 1946, and by 1948 she had obtained her pilot’s license, quickly gaining recognition as a skilled stunt pilot and test flyer. After suffering a serious accident in 1949 that necessitated extensive reconstructive procedures, she undertook further advanced studies to meet the requirements for higher pilot qualifications. By 1950, she had acquired a military pilot license and emerged as one of the earliest female test pilots. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Auriol surpassed the sound barrier and set five official world speed records.

Her outstanding contributions to aviation earned her the Harmon International Trophy on four occasions, awarded by U.S. presidents. In 1970, she released her autobiography titled I Live to Fly, available in both French and English editions.

Though she divorced Paul Auriol in 1967, they remarried two decades later in 1987 and were parents to two sons. In 1983, she played a key role in founding the French Académie de l'air et de l'espace.

Records

Auriol established numerous women’s world air speed records, underscoring her significant role in aviation history and enhancing France’s aerospace reputation.

12 May 1951 – Achieved an FAI-certified average speed of flying a British de Havilland Vampire over a 100-kilometer closed circuit in France, surpassing the previous record held by American Jacqueline Cochran.
21 December 1952 – Improved upon her own record by piloting a French Sud-Est Mistral at speeds exceeding , again over the identical 100-kilometer course.
31 May 1955 – Recorded an FAI-approved velocity of on a straight course measuring between 15 and 25 kilometers while flying a Dassault Mystère IVN, overtaking Jacqueline Cochran’s earlier benchmark.
22 June 1962 – Regained the women’s world air speed record with an average velocity of , flying a Dassault Mirage IIIC on the same 100-kilometer circuit.
14 June 1963 – Established her final record at , piloting a Dassault Mirage IIIR over the identical distance, once again eclipsing Cochran’s achievement.

On 1 June 1964, Jacqueline Cochran surpassed Auriol’s June 1963 accomplishment by setting an FAI-ratified speed of flying a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, illustrating the dynamic rivalry in supersonic flight records.

Honours

Recipient of four Harmon Trophies awarded in the years 1951, 1952, 1953, and 1956.
Bestowed with the rank of Grand officier (Grand Officer) in the Légion d'honneur.
Awarded the grand-croix (Grand Cross) of the Ordre national du Mérite in 1997.
Designated as an Eagle honoree in 1992.
Featured on a €4.00 French postage stamp issued on 23 June 2003.
Granted honorary fellowship within the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.

Sources

I Live to Fly - Jacqueline Auriol. (1970) E.P. Dutton & Co.: New York;

Jacqueline Auriol

Biography

Records

Honours

Sources

See also

External links

Further reading