My dad is kneeling and my aunt and her husband, Ward Lederer are on the far right. I have no idea who the other people are. They are standing in front of Raymere, the fourteen bedrooms of the home of William C. Durant. My Dad told me he didn’t know which spoon to use when he visited Vicky!
I hope that someone can recognize the others in the picture. It’s the only picture I have of my dad with his sister Vicky. This picture was taken in the late ‘20s.
In my aunt’s memorabilia, I found an interesting article. It stated that Vicky was the only Jewish woman pilot in 1931. That is incorrect. Ruth Elder, a well-known woman pilot was the first. So, Vicky was one of the first Jewish woman pilots. She received her pilots license when she was 40 years old. That was very unusual at the time.
Vicky began to take private flying lessons and quickly received her license. The money came from her husband’s family. She had the money for lessons but where did the motivation for flying develop? No one in my family was a pilot but it was the era if Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart. Everyone wanted to be up in the air.
Maybe saw Lady Lindy or Charles take off or saw the parades they were in going down the streets of New York. That would be enough to inspire anyone to learn to fly.
You can see how spunky she was in the above picture. Not many women sat on the top of a car. She was the kind of person that always wanted to try something new.
Vicky learned to fly in 1930 and received her Private License in 1931. it was only four years since America’s first celebrity made his historic flight. In 1927 Charles Lindbergh made his historic flight from Roosevelt Field in Mineola, New York to Paris, France. He was the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic. When he returned to New York everyone who probably met him when he returned. Thousands of people turned out to greet him. Maybe Vicky was in that crowd cheering Lucky Lindy after his incredible flight.
The world became crazy for flight. Everyone wanted to be up in the air. Vicky was one of them. In 1930 she took flight lessons at Curtiss-Wright Flight School at Roosevelt Field. This field became the hub for famous flights. Vicky was one of the many who wanted to fly out of this historic field. She also stayed at the Roosevelt Field hotel. It made it convenient for her and other pilots to be near the field.
Flying A Plane Out of the Museum
Vicky flew out of Palwaukee Field in 1932. She was a member of the Aviation Country Club but my research said that The Aviation Club was at a different airport in the northern suburbs of Chicago. I really don’t know if any of this information is true. I wish I was there when she flew at Gauthier’s Flying Field located at the crossroads of Palatine Road and Milwaukee Avenue about eighteen miles from Chicago. This field became Palwaukee Airport then another name change to Chicago Executive Airport.
Now there 194 planes at the Palwaukee including two jets the Bombardier Challenger and the Gulfstream Command and five helicopters. There are three fixed-based national operators Signature Flight Support, National Global Aviation Services, and Atlantic. Also Priester Air Charter and Palwaukee Flyers. A fixed-base operator offers services like fueling and flight instruction. Planes bring military men to Great Lakes Naval Training Center and the Veterans Affairs hospitals in the Chicago area.
In 1953 George J. Priester developed the airport and owned it for 33 years. He installed paved runways, lighting, hangers and an air tower for air traffic control. In 1990 I met with George’s son Charles. I had many questions prepared and I was excited to see planes take off and land. I was more focused on that then asking questions.
George Priester died in Des Plaines, Illinois and is survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
About five years ago I went to the airport to see a group called Young Eagles where they received a free flight. Young Eagles are found at regional airports all over the country and is sponsored by the Experimental Aviation Association. “Sully” Sullenberger, John Travolta and Harrison Ford were former chairmen of the Young Eagles. I wish I was one of those kids and could join this fabulous group.
Maybe, you are wondering why I am telling you about the history of Palwaukee Airport. It makes me recall my memories connected with the airport. I remembered that my brother Bruce took flying lessons at the airport. My mom drove him to the airport before he could drive. He told me that his interest in aviation started when he went up in our neighbors’ plane. He took lessons at Palwaukee with Sally’s Flying School. Sally Strempel was a pioneer in aviation and The Federal Aviation Administration appointed her as one of five women flight instructors in the country.
Bruce worked at Sikorsky which is a well-known name in aviation. The company focused on the manufacturing of land planes, amphibious aircraft and invented the first practical helicopter. Then he worked at Boeing for 42 years. Now he is retired and volunteers as a docent and a researcher at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.
Family lore said that my aunt flew an autogiro which was a precursor to the modern helicopter. I don’t know if that is true, but my father said that his sister did fly that vehicle.
My brother asked me what wanted for my birthday. You can guess my answer. I told him I wanted an introductory flight lesson from Windy City Flyers Flight School located at Palwaukee. I was so excited when the pilot showed me the Chicago Skyline and then the far north suburbs. I took this lesson a long time ago, but it feels like yesterday. I sat in the co-pilot’s seat, but I really didn’t fly the plane.
I brought my first computer, and it took me three months to decide what to buy. When I took my flying lesson, I didn’t ask ANYTHING. I didn’t know or care that I didn’t even know the pilots name or his experience. I JUST JUMPED INTO THE PLANE AS IF I HAD FLOWN ALL MY LIFE.
After this flight, I decided to ask about flying lessons. I went to Palwaukee and talked to a salesperson even though I knew I didn’t have the money. I was thrilled to hear the information and went home with dreams in my mind and heart.
I thought if I couldn’t take lessons, I would still do the next best thing. I would learn how to fly on the ground. I meet a lady who worked at Windy City Flyers and asked her how I could accomplish this goal. She was kind to loan me video tapes that would help me learn the basics of flight. I didn’t understand the tapes, but I kept watching them. I returned the tapes and wondered how to learn more. I decided to learn from children’s books on the flight.
After this, I joined a group called PACE at Palwaukee. It was a liaison group between the airport and the surrounding communities. This group is not in existence now, but I enjoyed being part of aviation in a very small way.
Then I went to Palwaukee to see The Young Eagles. At Palwaukee and many other airports across the country, kids receive free flight lessons. The group is sponsored by the Experimental Aviation Association. “Sully” Sullenberger, John Travolta and Harrison Ford were former chairmen of the Young Eagles. I wished that I was one of those kids.
On May 8, 2017, Chicago Executive Airport has received the honor of being named the Reliever Airport of the Year. It is an airport that doesn’t have scheduled passenger service. It helps take traffic away from crowded airports like O’Hare in Chicago.
You can see how my interest has continued. I read books about aviation and even wear aviation-themed clothing.
Fun is different for everyone… for me, it’s airplanes and airports. Friends ask me if I love aviation and the answer is yes. I say it’s a family thing and it’s MY THING!
I hope you have enjoyed traveling along memory lane with Vicky, Bruce and me.
My Aunt Vicky stopped flying in 1938. I found a form saying that she never renewed her medical. So, I assume that she wasn’t allowed to fly again.
There wasn’t any information about her after 1938. I wonder if she assisted in the war effort. Maybe, she worked in the canteen where service men came to unwind. She never joined the Women’s Air Service Corp. because that her flying time was limited.
In my mind, I think she experienced prejudice because she was Jewish. Maybe not but she never joined the 99s that was open to all women that had a license to fly. She was invited but maybe she was intimated because she didn’t feel comfortable with these more experienced pilots.
World War 11 began in 1939 and I am curious what she did with the money she was paid by husband and his family. William C. Durant, the Founder of General Motors, and the brother-in-law of Vicky’s husband also paid her to stay away from her husband.
I surmise she used the money to travel and then to learn to fly. She probably used up all the money. She moved around to different addresses like her brothers, her sisters and my parent’s home.
Obviously, she was broke but she still lived the high life. During the war Vicky still wore silk stockings that were hard to find. Nylon was invented in 1935. Silk was used for parachutes and silk was hard to find.
Vicky also loved to drink Courvoisier an expensive Cognac. It must have been hard to find but Vicky had to live well. Some of these statements are family lore. Maybe not. I know she lived at my parents’ home and that my mother didn’t like Vicky. This must have caused a lot of tension because Vicky was my father’s sister.
I remember seeing a saddle in our basement. My father told me that she owned a horse even in though The Depression was causing everyone a difficult life. I have no idea how she was able to live so high. Jewish women in the 30s didn’t travel and fly planes they just married and had children. I think my grandmother and grandfather weren’t thrilled with her lifestyle.
I picture Vicky as a strong and courageous woman. She sure was different from other women of her generation. That’s why I love her and feel that I’m like her. It’s hard to determine that because I barely knew her.
I never even knew that she was a pilot until 1986 when my father died. It was at this time that I received her memorabilia. It was filled with pictures and newspaper reports of her flying days.
There are many gaps in my research, and I am curious if my thoughts are true. I think I am like her in many ways. I am willing to try new things and I never quit.
See my post called Vicky- Cindy or Cindy-Vicky to learn more about my thoughts. Maybe, I just want to be like her but maybe I’m not. My parents rarely talked about her, so I had to rely on the memorable I received.
The puzzle of Vicky’s life concerns me. I wish I had asked my parents or Vicky’s sister about her. I never did so I have to rely on her memorabilia and my imagination. Someday I hope to fill in the pieces about the puzzle of Vicky. For now, I have to be satisfied with the Vicky that I think I know.
I am watching a DVD about the brave women of the Powder Puff Derby and thinking about my Aunt Vicky. She was not a famous pilot but she must have been very brave. I wonder how my grandparents felt. They must have been so scared for their daughter. I think they must have disapproved. I think about my father and her sister. He probably was worried about his sister. I wish that I had asked my dad about Vicky. My grandparents died before I was born and I didn’t know Vicky till I was about six years old. When my father died I received Vicky’s memorabilia. I didn’t even know she was a pilot. I was amazed. I began researching about Vicky but I found out that she sure wasn’t in the same category as the women pilots I have profiled. Still, she was famous to me. Everything about Vicky fascinated me. She was a small woman like several women racers. Then the similarities disappear. Or do they? She flew a plane during the Golden Age of Aviation. Imagine my aunt was famous in my eyes.
I try to think about how she became a pilot. My grandparents weren’t rich and no one was adventurous in the family. Yet, Vicky did the unusual.
I believe she became a pilot after her second husband walked out on her. Her husband’s family was wealthy and he was related to William C. Durant, the founded General Motors. Both families paid her to stay away from her husband. I think that Vicky used that money to travel around the world. After her travels, she became a pilot. Was she running away from sadness or was she an adventurous soul? I will never know but I dream about her often. I am strong and tenacious just like Vicky but I don’t think I am running away from anything. I am running toward new ideas. I guess I am Cindy-Vicky or Vicky-Cindy.
Writing is a good outlet for me to say what I can’t say in person. Thank you for this opportunity to tell you about Vicky and I am happy that I can communicate these feelings to others. Writing is a fantastic outlet for me.
Vicky is so happy with George
Meaning Of The Name Victorine
To me My aunt was just Vicky. I never knew her real name. When I started researching I found this site that lets you key in a name to find its meaning.
This site is http://www.ourbabynamer.com “The meaning if the name Victorine is “to conquer, victory”. What a perfect name for my aunt. She conquered everything she tried.
My brother sent away a copy for our aunt’s File. These copies didn’t come out good so I will try to explain these papers the best that I can. The Federal Aviation Administration in Oklahoma.
The first page is dated March 24, 1931. It states that Vicky received her private license. Thus was just a copy and the administration stated that if the original was found it should be sent back to the Department of Commerce immediately.
The second was a copy of Application For Student Pilot’s Permit. It showed that Vicky was listed as Victorine Lederer at the time. Obviously, she was still married at the time. She is listed as living at the Sheraton Hotel in New York. She was approved for a private license in 1932.
The next paper that was an identification card listing Vicky’s age as 41 107 pounds and 5″ 2″ It was issued on March 25, 31.I am telling you this because it describes what she did at an age when most women had children certainly not flying a plane.
The next page sent from the Department of Commerce was a copy of a physical that Vicky was physically qualified for Private Pilot. It was dated 11/15/32. Vicky was living at 230 E. 51st St. In New York. I checked it out and this was a classy area at the time.
As I think about going to ground school I think would i even remotely, pass a medical to fly. I don’t think so.
Another medical l was listed as Nov. 13, 1933 and addressed to the Sheldon Hotel in San Francisco. The copy listed Vicky’s flying time as 57 hours 35 min and 110 hours of solo flying.
These copies are so old and smudged that I am trying to tell you accurately what they say. I do notice that each page lists a different address for Vicky. On page lists Vicky-s address at my dads on 3923 Frontier in Chicago. Each page also lists more hours that Vicky had flown.it also states that Vicky flew a Fleet airplane. Again Vicky’s address was c/o General Delivery, Juneau, Alaska. In 1938 she ended her flying. She had a total solo of 202 hours 15 minutes I found this pilot file very interesting because it showed that Vicky kept adding more hours of solo flying.
I wish i had her log book which would tell me where she had flown. That would be so exciting but I don’t know where that book is. It-s long-lost. I wish i had met anyone who knew Vicky during that time. All the letters I wrote never revealed anyone who might have known Vicky. So it’s still another mystery to Vicky’s exciting life.
They Dared To Fly In a Man's World 