Written by: Emily Carter

Sheila Scott: The Aviatrix Who Defied the Skies

Sheila Scott was a trailblazing English aviator who shattered over 100 aviation records, including a remarkable 34,000-mile world and a half flight in 1971. This incredible feat made her the first person to fly over the North Pole in a small aircraft.

Early Life and Career

Born Sheila Christine Hopkins on April 27, 1922, in Worcester, Worcestershire, England, she had a turbulent childhood and struggled in school. During World War II, she joined the services as a nurse in a naval hospital.

In 1943, she began her career as an actress, adopting the stage name Sheila Scott, which she would use long after she stopped acting. Her short marriage to Rupert Bellamy from 1945 to 1950 was followed by a newfound passion for flying, which she learned in 1958.

Taking to the Skies

Scott's first aircraft was a Thruxton Jackaroo, a converted De Havilland Tiger Moth, which she owned from 1959 to 1964. Her big break came in May 1965 when the Piper Aircraft company loaned her the Piper Comanche 400 European demonstrator, "Myth Sunpip," enabling her to set multiple European speed records.

• Return trips from London RAF Northolt to The Hague
• Brussels
• Dublin
• Belfast

Around the World Flights

In April 1966, Scott obtained another Piper Comanche, the 260B "Myth Too," which would become her trusty companion for many record-breaking flights. It was in this aircraft that she made her first solo round-the-world flight, departing London Heathrow on May 18, 1966, and returning on June 20, 1966, having covered approximately 31,000 miles in 189 flying hours over 34 days.

This remarkable achievement marked several milestones:

• The first solo around-the-world flight by a British subject
• The longest-distance solo flight
• The only third around-the-world flight by a woman

Lifetime Achievements and Legacy

Throughout her career, Sheila Scott amassed numerous awards and honors, including being appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1968. She continued to push the boundaries of aviation, inspiring generations of pilots and setting an incredible 107 records throughout her lifetime.

In 1971, Scott became the first European woman to fly solo around the world, cementing her status as a true aviation pioneer. Her remarkable life and achievements serve as a testament to her courage, determination, and unwavering passion for flight.