Olga Custodio is a Puerto Rican pilot and inspiration to other women pilots. She was the first Latina pilot in the United States military. She flew more than 11,000 hours as a pilot for the air force as well as for a commercial airline. After retirement, Custodio served as an advocate for STEM programs.

Olga Custodio Olga Custodio, America's First Latina Fighter Pilot, Featured at Gonzaga's Presidential Speaker Series. When retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Olga Custodio takes the stage at the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center Oct.

Custodio was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Her father, a sergeant in the United States Army, was often stationed in various countries where the United States has its military installations.

Olga Custodio When Olga Custodio was an undergraduate at the University of Puerto Rico, she was denied the opportunity to join the school's ROTC program because it didn't allow women. Undaunted, she went on to become the first Latina pilot in the U.S. Air Force and the first Latina pilot for American Airlines.

On March 8, 1910 - 113 years ago today - Raymonde de Laroche, a former Parisian stage actress, became the first licensed female pilot in the world. Nine years later she was killed when the experimental aircraft she was flying dove into the ground.

Major General Jeannie Leavitt Major General Jeannie Leavitt (left), the U.S. Air Force's first female fighter pilot, with Captain Nicole “Jinx” Wedge (right). Three months later, the DOD changed its policy. “The Air Force remembered that second lieutenant who stood up and asked for an airplane she couldn't have,” Leavitt says.

Amelia Earhart Amelia Earhart One of the most famous pilots of all time, Amelia Earhart was the 16th woman to earn her pilot license. She was the first woman who flew across North America and the Atlantic.

Amelia Earhart Amelia Earhart was a record-breaking woman aviator and became one of the biggest mysteries in history when she disappeared during her flight around the world.

1: Amelia Earhart – First Woman Pilot to Fly Solo across the Atlantic. Yes, you guessed it. Topping our list is the most famous female pilot of all time, Amelia Earhart.

Perhaps the most famous female pilot ever, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932. When she began her journey from Newfoundland to Paris in a Lockheed Vega 5B, she kicked off a short career full of highlights.

Lydia Vladimirovna Litvyak (Russian: Лидия Владимировна Литвяк; 18 August 1921 – 1 August 1943), also known as Lilya, was a fighter pilot in the Soviet Air Force during World War II.

One of the most famous pilots of all time, Amelia Earhart was the 16th woman to earn her pilot license. She was the first woman who flew across North America and the Atlantic.