Page 15 - Ruth Law

RUTH LAW
DAYTONA'S PIONEER AVIATOR

THE LADY DAREDEVIL
LOOP-THE-LOOP IN DAYTONA BEACH, FL.

Ruth Bancroft Law
1887-1970

Ruth Bancroft Law was a great woman aviator with a
long and colorful career. She was from a family of
aviators and was a very competitive person. She was
likely to try anything especially if told she couldn't do it!

Ruth received her pilot's license in 1912, and bought her
first aircraft from Orville Wright that same year. She
worked as a commercial pilot, flying passengers to and
from the Clarendon Hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida,
taking off and landing on the beach. An airplane hanger
had been built on this stretch of beach and, in fact, this
area was the first airport in Florida. Ruth became the
first woman to fly at night. Later, she bought a Curtiss
Pusher "Loop Model" and began, in 1915, giving
demonstrations of aerobatics at Daytona Beach, Florida,
before a huge crowd. Her husband Charles Oliver was
dismayed when she announced that she was going to be
the first woman to "loop-the-loop" and proceeded to do
it……twice.

In 1916 she was part of several altitude competitions.
She set the world's altitude record of 11,200 feet at
Sheepshead Bay, New York.

Her supreme feat took place in 1916 when she shattered
the existing cross-country distance flying record of 452
miles by flying non-stop from Chicago to Hornell, New
York, 590 miles. The following day, she flew to New York
City. Staying calm when her fuel ran out, she serenely
glided to a safe landing. She was the toast of the city
and was honored by President Woodrow Wilson.

HER PLACE IN AVIATION HISTORY
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