Pancho Barnes

For the 1988 American biographical film, see Pancho Barnes (film).

Pancho Barnes
Barnes in 1931
Born
Florence Leontine Lowe

(1901-07-22)July 22, 1901
Pasadena, California, US
DiedMarch 30, 1975(1975-03-30) (aged 73)
Boron, California, US
Other namesPancho
Known forRacing pilot, Proprietor
Spouses
  • Reverend C. Rankin Barnes
  • Robert Hudson Nichols, Jr.
  • Don Shalita[1][2]
Children1

Florence Lowe "Pancho" Barnes (July 22, 1901 – March 30, 1975) was a pioneer aviator and a founder of the first movie stunt pilots' union. In 1930, she broke Amelia Earhart's air speed record.[3] Barnes raced in the Women's Air Derby and was a member of the Ninety-Nines. In later years, she was known as the owner of the Happy Bottom Riding Club, a bar and restaurant in the Mojave Desert, Southern California, catering to the legendary test pilots and aviators who worked nearby.[3]

  1. ^ Oliver, Myrna (January 19, 2001). "Eugene McKendry; Ran 'The Right Stuff' Club". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  2. ^ Foulkes, Debbie. "Pancho Barnes (1901–1975): Pilot, Proprietor, Partier". Forgotten Newsmakers, 2011. Retrieved: August 3, 2013.
  3. ^ a b Hume, Ellen (March 30, 1975). "'Pancho' Barnes, Woman Pilot, Dies". Los Angeles Times. p. B5.