Florence (Pancho) Barnes was one of the most important women in 20th century aviation. A tough and fearless pilot known for her barnstorming, flamboyance, and wearing pants, Barnes made a name for herself as Hollywood’s first female stunt pilot in the 1920s and 30s. Flying in the first Powder Puff Derby in 1929, even though she crashed and didn’t finish, she went on to break Amelia Earhart’s speed record in 1930. Pancho was a guest at Santa Paula Airport’s Grand Opening Dedication August 9 and 10, 1930.Come and learn more about this extraordinary woman pilot. For more information, contact Judy at 525-1109.
Aviation Museum meeting
May 23, 2008
Santa Paula News
The Aviation Museum of Santa Paula proudly presents “The Legend of Pancho Barnes,” a documentary film by Nicholas Spark and Amanda Pope, as part of its First Tuesday Speaker Program, a quarterly event.
The Aviation Museum of Santa Paula proudly presents “The Legend of Pancho Barnes,” a documentary film by Nicholas Spark and Amanda Pope, as part of its First Tuesday Speaker Program, a quarterly event. The public is invited to this free event on Tuesday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the Logsdon’s Restaurant banquet room.Nick Spark and Amanda Pope have nearly completed production of this documentary film, which chronicles the thrilling life and extraordinary times of aviation pioneer Florence Lowe “Pancho” Barnes, one of the most colorful and accomplished women pilots of the early 20th century. This project features newly discovered documents from Barnes’ personal files, never-before-seen photos, rare movie footage, and interviews with her friends, historians and biographers.
