Prem Mathur is the first Indian woman commercial pilot and started flying for Deccan Airways. She obtained her commercial pilot's licence in 1947. [1] [2] [3] In 1949, she won the National Air Race. [4]
Mathur was born on 17 January 1910. [5]
Mathur was rejected by eight airlines before she got a job at Deccan Airways in Hyderabad in 1947. [5] She was offered the job at the age of 38 where she became the first Indian woman to fly a commercial plane. She received her license from the Allahabad Flying Club. She flew her first plane as a co-pilot. During her career at Deccan Airways, she flew high-profile people like Indira Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Lady Mountbatten. [5] [6]
Mathur wanted the full command of the cockpit but was denied the same by Deccan Airways, even after fulfilment of the required flying hours by her. [6] Soon after, she moved to Delhi where she became G.D. Birla's private jet pilot. [5] After that she joined Indian Airlines in 1953 and worked there for the rest of her career span. [5] [6]
In 1949, Mathur won the National Air Race. [5]
Mathur married Hari Krishna Mathur who hails from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh and they had six children together. Mathur died at the age of 82 on 22 December 1992. [5]
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