Alaska bush pilots have many challenges due to the severe weather. The pilot must have very extensive training. Norah O’Neil was one of those unique women. She was the first woman to fly for the Alaska Central Air and the Flying Tiger Line.
Norah’s airline career lasted thirty-five years. She had many firsts and was a pilot with a distinguished career. In her time as a pilot she accomplished 22,000 hours flying passengers on the Boeing 747. She was the first woman to fly a Douglas DC-8 in 1977. She landed in many areas that few pilots flew. She landed in Korea, Philippines, Malaysia. Saudia Arabia, and Hong Kong.
Norah’s gift was mentoring to the women pilots beginning their careers. Mentoring young girls and beginning pilots was a tremendous help to them.
In 1978 she was one of the founders of the International Society of Women Airline Pilots. She was an active member of the Women in Aviation International, and The Ninety-Nines.
The Museum of Flight at Boeing Field, and The San Diego Aerospace Museum had exhibits about Norah.
In the 70s it was very hard for a woman to be hired as an airline pilot and she writes about those challenges in her memoir, “Flying Tigress.”
Norah was honored to be inducted into the International Forest of Friendship because she made incredible contributions to the world of aviation.
Norah O’Neil died in 2017. She was a great asset to the world of aviation.
They Dared To Fly In a Man's World 
Cindy – thanks for posting this! Norah was truly incredible and an inspiration to women wanting to fly. Debbie Jennings
Did you ever meet her? She sounds like an incredible lady.