Durba Banerjee

Durba Banerjee
Born India
Spouse(s) Not Married

Durba Banerjee was the first pilot of Indian Airlines in 1956 and the first Indian woman commercial pilot.[1][2][3]

Early life

As a child while growing up Banerjee liked planes and flying, becoming a pilot was her passion. She was the first woman of her times to break stereotypes and venture into this field.[4]

Career

Banerjee started her aviation career flying a Dakota with Air Survey of India as a DC3 pilot in 1959.[4][5]

She moved on to join Indian Air Lines at the Calcutta base in 1966 and later retired in November, 1988.[4] It is heard that when she first approached then Central Aviation Minister Mr.Humayun Kabir to apply as a commercial pilot he was reluctant and instead offered her the post of a flight attendant.[4]

She has to her credit the most flying hours with 18500 hrs.[4][6]

  • She became a Commander in the F27 turbo prop Aircraft [5]
  • With the arrival of the B737 200 series she got herself type rated as a Jet Pilot to fly the Boeing737 [5]
  • She also flew the Airbus 300.[5]

References

  1. ↑ http://iaf00.tripod.com/airwomen.html
  2. ↑ http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/first-indian-woman-to-command-jet-engine-aircraft-retires/598384/
  3. ↑ http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-youngworld/one-hundred-years-of-flying-high/article2587830.ece
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Biographical Sketch". Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "History of Airlines". Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  6. ↑ http://indiaconsole.com/durba-banerjee.html
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