Amelia Reid (November 13, 1924 – March 3, 2001) was a mathematician, pilot, flight instructor, businesswoman, airshow performer, and airport advocate. She was the founder of Amelia Reid Aviation (now AeroDynamic Aviation) and is known as California's First Lady of Aviation.[1]
Early life and education
Reid got her first taste of flying in 1940 when pilot Evelyn Sharp took her on a ride in a Piper Cub J-2.[2] In 1941 Reid had her first flying lessons,[1] and in May 1946 she earned her pilot's license.[2]
From there Reid returned to flying and became a certified commercial pilot with instructor ratings in 1960.[1] That same year, Reid founded Amelia Reid Aviation, a flight school at Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose, California.[1] The company bought their first aircraft, a Taylorcraft L-2, for just $350. Reid initially ran the business out of her 1959 Ford and, later, out of two trailers.[2] She mortgaged her home and constructed a permanent hangar and office building in 1967, from which she operated her flight school for the rest of her life.[4][2]
In the 1960s, Reid-Hillview Airport, founded in 1939 by five local airmen including Reid's father-in-law, was sold to Santa Clara County.[1] The growth of Silicon Valley in the San Jose area instigated campaigns to close the airport.[1] Reid was a strong advocate of the preservation of the airport and a founder of the Reid-Hillview Airport Association.
Later life
On January 16, 2001, Reid had a stroke, and she died on March 3, 2001, at age 76.[1]