Jeana Yeager American pilot Date of Birth: 18.05.1952 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Pursuit of Aviation
3. Partnership with the Rutan Brothers
4. Historic Round-the-World Flight
5. Recognition and Honors

Early Life and Education

Jeana Yeager was born on May 18, 1952, in Fort Worth, Texas. She spent her childhood there and later moved to Santa Rosa, California, after her divorce in 1977.

Pursuit of Aviation

Yeager's interest in aviation began when she earned her pilot's license in 1978. She initially flew helicopters before transitioning to fixed-wing aircraft. In that same year, she joined Bob Truax's "Project Private Enterprise," which aimed to develop a reusable spacecraft.

Partnership with the Rutan Brothers

In 1980, Yeager met the Rutan brothers at an airshow in California. She was invited to work for their company as a test pilot. During the early 1980s, she set four speed records flying the Rutan EZ aircraft.

Historic Round-the-World Flight

Together with Dick Rutan, Yeager embarked on a historic flight in 1986. They piloted the "Voyager" aircraft on the first non-stop, unrefueled circumnavigation of the globe. Their flight lasted 9 days, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds, covering a distance of 40,211 km (24,990 mi).

Recognition and Honors

Yeager's groundbreaking achievement earned her numerous accolades. She received the Presidential Citizens Medal (1986), the Harmon Trophy, and the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale's de La Vaulx Medal. In 1988, she became the first woman to receive the Collier Trophy.