Aline Rhonie Hofheimer, a pilot in the 30’s and 40’s was known in aviation only by the name Aline Rhonie. She was born in 1909 and died in 1963. She was only 54 at the time of her death.
She was known for some unusual activities in aviation. In 1931 she was a participant in a contest where she dropped bombs and a contest for the best dead stick landing. A dead stick landing when a plane loses its power. This is a very dangerous method to land but Aline was very proficient with this method.
Dropping bombs known was an exciting stunt on the aerial circus. It was dangerous and the spectators were horrified but excited to see this stunt. Aline married a race pilot socialite named Peter Brooks. They celebrated this honeymoon by flying in separate planes for a 17,500-mile flight. Peter and Aline were enthralled with aviation but that wasn’t enough to make their marriage last.
Aline had many achievements as a pilot. As a woman she achieved more honors that men thought women could ever make.
Aline earned her transport license in 1936. She went on to be the first woman to receive the Irish Commercial license in 1938. This certainly was unusual. She went on to show men that she was an incredible pilot and just as proficient as men in aviation.
Aline went to Mexico and met Diego Rivera who was a Mexican artist. He taught her the basics of painting. She went back to Long Island and became famous for painting a mural about the pilots that flew on Long Island. Unfortunately, the painting is now in storage.
They Dared To Fly In a Man's World 