Ever hear of Gladys Ingle? Well, it’s about time you did! This pilot, stuntwoman, and “daredevil” from the Roaring 20s was the fourth woman in the United States to earn a flying license, according to My Modern Met. She was also the only female member of the 13 Flying Black Cats, a group of incredible aerial artists who performed death-defying feats in the sky. While Gladys took on some courageous stunts in her day, it was an unplanned moment that became one of her most famous.
In 1926, Black Cats pilot Art Goebel lost a tire in mid-flight, making it dangerous for him to land. Without missing a beat, Gladys flew to his aid, hitching a ride with another member of their group. She made a perilous leap from one plane to the other, then secured the new tire to the wheel while the craft was still in the air! Thankfully, this daring act was captured on camera and preserved for posterity.
Watch the historic footage in the video below!
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.
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