Nationality Quinault | Other names Kus-de-cha | |
Born April 22, 1902 ( 1902-04-22 ) Bruceport, Washington Known for First Native American woman airplane pilot Died 25 October 1981, Portland, Oregon, United States | ||
Mary Riddle (also known as Kus-de-cha or Kingfisher, April 22, 1902 – October 25, 1981) was the first Native American woman to earn a pilot's license. Soon after earning her pilot's license she also earned her commercial license. Riddle trained as a pilot in Portland and was a member of the Clatsop Tribe in Oregon Quinault Indian Nation in Washington. Riddle started training with Tex Rankin in 1927. She was qualified to fly solo in 1930. Also in 1930, she planned to fly to Washington D.C. with "beaded gifts for President Hoover from Indian Tribes." In June 1934, she was featured on the 99's magazine, The 99er. By 1937 she was performing as a parachutist. She later went to the Spartan School in Tulsa to learn parachute jumping. She did over forty parachute jumps. During World War II, she was recruited by the government to inspect civilian aircraft and work as an aircraft maintenance advisor.