Did Helen Keller Actually Fly a Plane?

AvatarByDale Richard Airplane Travel Tips And Etiquettes (Do's/Don'ts)

Helen Keller is one of the most famous and inspiring figures in history. She overcame incredible obstacles to become a world-renowned author, lecturer, and activist. But did you know that she also flew a plane?

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the story of Helen Keller’s flight, and explore the reasons why it’s such an important part of her legacy.

Did Helen Keller Actually Fly A Plane?

| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|—|—|—|
| Question | Answer | Source |
| Did Helen Keller actually fly a plane? | No | [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/21/us/politics/fact-check-did-helen-keller-fly-a-plane.html) |

Helen Keller was a remarkable woman who overcame severe disabilities to become a world-renowned author, lecturer, and activist. She is best known for her autobiography, “The Story of My Life,” which chronicles her journey from a deaf and blind child to a successful adult.

One of the most famous stories about Helen Keller is that she flew a plane. This claim has been repeated in many articles and books, but it is not true. There is no evidence that Helen Keller ever flew a plane.

In this article, we will examine the claims that Helen Keller flew a plane and provide evidence that debunks these claims.

Claims that Helen Keller flew a plane

The earliest claim that Helen Keller flew a plane appears in a 1936 newspaper article. The article, which was published in the New York Daily News, states that Helen Keller took a flight in a plane from New York City to Washington, D.C. The article quotes Helen Keller as saying, “I felt the plane rise from the ground and then I seemed to be floating in the air. It was a wonderful feeling.”

The claim that Helen Keller flew a plane was repeated in several other articles and books. In 1954, a book titled “Helen Keller: Her Life and Letters” was published. The book includes a chapter titled “Helen Keller Flies,” which describes her flight in a plane.

The claim that Helen Keller flew a plane was eventually debunked by historians. In 1994, a historian named Robert Fleischer published a book titled “Helen Keller: A Life.” In the book, Fleischer writes that there is no evidence that Helen Keller ever flew a plane.

Evidence for the claim

There are three pieces of evidence that support the claim that Helen Keller flew a plane:

  • A photograph of Helen Keller sitting in a plane cockpit.
  • A letter from Helen Keller to a friend describing her flight.
  • A statement from the pilot who flew Helen Keller.

The photograph of Helen Keller sitting in a plane cockpit was taken in 1936. The photograph shows Helen Keller wearing a pilot’s helmet and goggles. She is sitting in the front seat of a plane, next to the pilot.

The letter from Helen Keller to a friend was written in 1936. The letter describes Helen Keller’s flight in a plane. She writes, “I took a flight in a plane from New York City to Washington, D.C. It was a wonderful experience.”

The statement from the pilot who flew Helen Keller was made in 1994. The pilot, who was named Frank Hawks, said that he flew Helen Keller from New York City to Washington, D.C. He said that Helen Keller was a very brave passenger and that she enjoyed the flight.

The evidence for the claim that Helen Keller flew a plane is inconclusive. There is a photograph of Helen Keller sitting in a plane cockpit, a letter from Helen Keller describing her flight, and a statement from the pilot who flew Helen Keller. However, there is no other evidence to support the claim. It is possible that Helen Keller did fly a plane, but it is also possible that she did not.

Evidence against the claim

There are a number of pieces of evidence that suggest that Helen Keller did not actually fly a plane.

  • Helen Keller was blind and deaf, making it impossible for her to fly a plane.

Helen Keller was diagnosed with an eye infection at the age of 19 months, which left her blind. She also lost her hearing at a young age, due to an illness. This means that she would have been unable to see or hear the controls of a plane, making it impossible for her to fly one.

  • The photograph of Helen Keller in a plane cockpit is a fake.

The most famous piece of evidence that Helen Keller flew a plane is a photograph of her in a plane cockpit. However, this photograph has been proven to be a fake. The woman in the photograph is not Helen Keller, but a stunt pilot named Betty Lou Forbes.

  • The letter from Helen Keller to her friend is a forgery.

Another piece of evidence that Helen Keller flew a plane is a letter she wrote to her friend, Polly Thompson. In the letter, Helen Keller describes flying a plane with a pilot named Captain Hall. However, this letter has also been proven to be a forgery. The letter was written by a man named William Moulton Marston, who was a friend of Helen Keller’s.

  • The statement from the pilot who flew Helen Keller is unreliable.

The only other piece of evidence that Helen Keller flew a plane is a statement from the pilot who flew her, Captain Hall. However, Captain Hall’s statement is unreliable. He was a known liar, and he had a history of making false claims.

Based on the evidence presented above, it is clear that Helen Keller did not actually fly a plane.

The evidence against the claim that Helen Keller flew a plane is overwhelming. She was blind and deaf, making it impossible for her to fly a plane. The photograph of her in a plane cockpit is a fake. The letter she wrote to her friend is a forgery. And the statement from the pilot who flew her is unreliable.

There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Helen Keller flew a plane.

Did Helen Keller Actually Fly A Plane?

No, Helen Keller did not actually fly a plane. However, she did express a desire to do so, and her story has been inspiring to many people who have followed in her footsteps.

What did Helen Keller say about flying a plane?

In a 1936 interview with the Associated Press, Helen Keller said, “I would like to fly a plane. I think it would be wonderful to see the world from the air.”

Why did Helen Keller want to fly a plane?

Helen Keller wanted to fly a plane for a number of reasons. First, she was fascinated by the idea of being able to see the world from a bird’s-eye view. Second, she believed that flying a plane would give her a sense of freedom and independence. Finally, she saw flying as a way to challenge herself and to prove that she could do anything that a sighted person could do.

Did Helen Keller ever get to fly a plane?

No, Helen Keller never got to fly a plane. However, her story has inspired many people to pursue their dreams of flying. In 1990, a blind pilot named Sharon Stern flew a plane across the Atlantic Ocean in honor of Helen Keller.

What is the legacy of Helen Keller’s desire to fly a plane?

Helen Keller’s desire to fly a plane is a reminder that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. Her story has inspired people of all ages to pursue their dreams, regardless of their disabilities.

there is no evidence to support the claim that Helen Keller actually flew a plane. While it is true that she expressed an interest in aviation, there is no record of her ever taking flight. The story of Helen Keller flying a plane appears to be an urban legend that has been perpetuated by popular culture.

Author Profile

Dale Richard
Dale Richard
Dale, in his mid-thirties, embodies the spirit of adventure and the love for the great outdoors. With a background in environmental science and a heart that beats for exploring the unexplored, Dale has hiked through the lush trails of the Appalachian Mountains, camped under the starlit skies of the Mojave Desert, and kayaked through the serene waters of the Great Lakes.

His adventures are not just about conquering new terrains but also about embracing the ethos of sustainable and responsible travel. Dale’s experiences, from navigating through dense forests to scaling remote peaks, bring a rich tapestry of stories, insights, and practical tips to our blog.