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This section contains twelve images of certificates and cards conferred on pilot Aline Rhonie across three decades. Some are awards; some are utilitarian identifications; one is a postcard. Among her honors are the Medaille de la Reconnaissance Francaise (pictured), King George VI Medal (letter pictured) and Chevalier de la Croix de Lorraine. She was a member of the International Institute of Arts and Letters, the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences (pictured), Aero-Club de France (pictured), an honorary member in the Free French War Veterans and Ladies' Auxiliary (pictured) and an associate member of the National Aeronautic Association of the USA (pictured).
Her certificates and cards are arranged in approximate chronological order. Below, her 1931 certificate of membership in the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) of the U.S.A.
National Aeronautic Association Membership Certificate, November 3, 1930 (Source: Hofheimer Family)
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Notice this certificate is signed by Hiram Bingham III, pilot, Yale lecturer, U.S. Senator, adventurer/explorer and usually-accepted discoverer of Machu Picchu.
Further to the NAA, the letter below, dated almost a year after the certificate above, confers upon Rhonie her annual sporting license and F.A.I. Certificate for 1931.
NAA Letter, July 17, 1931 (Source: Hofheimer Family)
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Below, an identification card for the 1931 National Air Races. Note the card is signed by Louis W. Greve. Follow the link to learn about this inventor and supporter of increased participation in aviation by women.
National Air Races Visitor Card, August 29, 1931 (Source: Hofheimer Family)
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The writing in the top left corner says, "Sanctioned by the National Aeronautic Association." In the top right hand corner, "Let Courtesy be Shown." Signer Cliff Henderson, Managing Director, wrote a letter to Rhonie using unique stationery. You may view that document at the LETTERS link of her Collection.
Below, the cover for Rhonie's Identification Card during the Detroit National Aircraft Show, April 11-19, 1931.
Identification Card, Detroit National Aircraft Show, April 11-19, 1931 (Source: Hofheimer Family)
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Time magazine of April 20, 1931 published a small filler article that highlighted the participation in this show by female pilots. It stated as follows:
"Publicity Ladies. Nicely timed to give publicity to the planes exhibited at the National Aircraft Show in Detroit, three record flights by women were made last week: Elinor Smith flew a Bellanca Skyrocket to (apparently) 32,500 ft. over New York; at Philadelphia, Amelia Earhart Putnam piloted a Pitcairn autogiro to 19,000 ft., higher than an autogiro had ever been flown; at Detroit, Ruth Nichols streaked along a 3-kilometer course at 210 m. p. h.—almost 30 m. p. h. faster than a record set by Miss Earhart."
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The handsome leather folder opened to reveal the card inside, below.
Identification Card, Detroit National Aircraft Show, April 11-19, 1931 (Source: Hofheimer Family)
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Ray Cooper also served as chief observer in charge of a speed test for the GeeBee Model Z on December 5, 1931. The airplane crashed due to a wing failure, killing pilot Lowell Bayles.
Below, Rhonie's membership certificate for the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences. The institute was founded in 1932, so Rhonie acquired an early associate membership. A description of the Institute and its goals is at the link. As well as the organization, the founders provided a posh club room called the Skyport, which was housed in the R.C.A. Building at Rockefeller Center.
Membership Certificate, Institute of Aeronautical Sciences, 1932 (Source: Hofheimer Family)
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The information at the link discusses the types of memberships available in the organization, i.e. Fellows, Scientific Members, Industrial Members and so forth. There is no mention of a class of membership termed "Associate Member."
Below, a color post card representing a small section of the fresco mural painted by Rhonie during the 1930s. Please follow the link for more information about this very large mural.
Mural Postcard, Ca. Late 1930s (Source: Hofheimer Family)
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Below, letter or certificate? This establishes and acknowledges Rhonie's membership in the Aero-Club de France.
Aero-Club de France, March 16, 1940 (Source: Hofheimer Family)
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A rough translation of this letter is as follows: "In response to your application (presented by A. de La Grange and Detroyat), we have the honor to inform you that the executive committee met Feb. 28, 1940 and elected you a member of the Aero-Club of France. Enclosed is your membership card for the current year, please accept our sincere thanks. Highest compliments. The Treasurer"
Below, a memento of a voyage with TWA in the early 1940s. Notice that this certificate is signed by Register pilot Jack Frye. Frye was the President of TWA at that time. The Boeing Stratoliner was the first pressurized commercial transport aircraft.
TWA Stratoliner Club Certificate, October 23, 1941 (source: Hofheimer Family)
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As an obvious testimony to her patriotism, Rhonie received this engraved certificate from the Treasury Department acknowledging her donation of an ambulance to the United States war effort.
Donation to the U.S. Treasury, May 5, 1943 (Source: Hofheimer Family)
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Below, the notation on the back of the certificate which documents her donation as being $1,304.45.
Donation to the U.S. Treasury, May 5, 1943, Back (Source: Hofheimer Family)
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Below, Rhonies certificate and medal of gratitude, "as a foreigner" for services rendered to France. See her Humanitarian Activities section.
French Silver Medal of Gratitude, April 25, 1949 (Source: Hofheimer Family)
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Below, an analogous reward from the British government.
British Award of the Insignia of the King's Medal, December 6, 1948 (Source: Hofheimer Family)
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Below, her honorary membership in the Free French War Veterans and Ladies' Auxiliary New York Post #1. She shared honorary membership in this organization with Igor Sikorsky (developed first successful helicopter) and Vladimir Kosma Zworykin (innovator of radio and TV).
French War Veterans & Ladies' Auxiliary Certificate, April 13, 1953 (Source: Hofheimer Family)
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Of 42 female pilots who signed the Davis-Monthan Register, Aline "Pat" Rhonie combines the good traits of many of her sister signers. She ranks high among her sisters in hours and miles flown throughout her life in aviation. She stands out in her humanitarian activities on behalf of the French and British just before the outbreak of WWII. She was a member of the WAFS and the WASP.
Across two decades she received awards and certificates of appreciation from the French and United States governments. She held and mutually respected a wide network of friends, among them some of the movers and shakers of Golden Age aviation. She was a fine artist of considerable repute, who has a robost Web presence in that area to this day.
She signed the Register once in 1934 on Tuesday, March 20th. Please refer to her biographical link, above, for details on that landing, including the airplane she flew and the circumstances of her voyage.
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THIS PAGE UPLOADED: 12/11/10 REVISED:
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