Elena Pavlovna Samsonova (1890-1958) - one of the first female pilots in Russia and the world. Entered the top five of the first certified female pilots. She was a professional driver. Member of the First World War.
Biography
Elena was the daughter of a military engineer, grew up without a mother. Perhaps this is the reason for such a love of technology, the pursuit of knowledge. And these two attachments never let the girl go. After receiving a gold medal after graduating from high school, Elena left for Petersburg to continue her education. She studied at the famous Higher Women's Bestuzhev Courses - at a time when women were not supposed to think about a career, this was practically the only educational institution in Russia where women could get higher education.
Way to success
Therefore, women who successfully graduated from them were considered the most educated in the country. However, this was not enough for Elena Pavlovna. She decided to become a professional driver. It was almost impossible for a woman to learn this in Russia, and therefore Elena went to Warsaw. And in this direction she managed to succeed. Within a few months, she, along with men, took part in motor racing near Moscow. But Elena did not stop at managing land transport. Now she wanted to fly. She wanted to become a cadet at a flying school in Gatchina, but she was not accepted. The reason is that women have no place in aviation.
Samsonov did not discourage this refusal and did not stop it. She still learned to fly. It happened in a private Moscow aviation school. After graduation, it was necessary to pass an exam, which was accepted by a whole commission. According to the conditions of the exam, Elena had to complete ten “eights” at an altitude of fifty meters, and then make the planning landing exactly in a circle with a diameter of fifty meters. Elena Samsonova performed all the elements at an altitude of about three hundred meters and received the official specialty "pilot". Thus, she became the fifth certified pilot in Russia.
After receiving the diploma, Elena did not have a chance to ascend to heaven for a long time. Although her daily routine is also not female. She worked as a taxi driver. Maybe Elena would have chosen a less mundane job, but hunger is not an aunt - the need for money made me go to the "chauffeurs".
