Prem Mathur

Prem Mathur is the first Indian woman commercial pilot and started flying for Deccan Airways. She obtained her commercial pilot's licence in 1947.[1][2][3] In 1949, she won the National Air Race.[4]

Early life

Mathur was born on 17 January 1910.[5]

Career

Mathur was rejected by eight airlines before she got a job at Deccan Airways in Hyderabad in 1947.[5] She was offered the job at the age of 38 where she became the first Indian woman to fly a commercial plane. She received her license from the Allahabad Flying Club. She flew her first plane as a co-pilot. During her career at Deccan Airways, she flew high-profile people like Indira Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Lady Mountbatten.[5][6]

Mathur wanted the full command of the cockpit but was denied the same by Deccan Airways, even after fulfilment of the required flying hours by her.[6] Soon after, she moved to Delhi where she became G.D. Birla's private jet pilot.[5] After that she joined Indian Airlines in 1953 and worked there for the rest of her career span.[5][6]

Awards

In 1949, Mathur won the National Air Race.[5]

Personal life

Mathur married Hari Krishna Mathur who hails from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh and they had six children together. Mathur died at the age of 82 on 22 December 1992.[5]

References
  1. Kumar, Ganesh (2010). Modern General Knowledge. Upkar Prakashan. ISBN 9788174821805.
  2. KRISHNASWAMY, MURALI N. (1 November 2011). "One hundred years of flying high". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  3. Neelam Raaj, Amrita Singh (17 June 2007). "Women in the cockpit". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 April 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  4. "Strong Indian women". 10 December 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  5. "Prem Mathur, India's Badass First Female Pilot, Was Licensed Back In 1947!". iDiva.com. 1 March 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  6. "Navrang India: First indian woman commercial pilot - Ms. Prem Mathur". Navrang India. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
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