Heath first flew in a plane at age four, sharing an interest in flying with her older brother Royal.

[5] Club members used this plane, which they painted black and christened The Bird of Paradise, to practice flying at LaFleur Airport in Northampton, Massachusetts.

[7] As a WASP, Heath flew B-26 bombers used for target practice at Grissom Air Reserve Base in Indiana.

[7] After World War II ended in 1945, the WASPs were dissolved, and Heath began working in the field of aviation safety.

[8] Heath's career took a different turn when she was asked to become the chairman of the International Academy of Astronautics Space Safety Committee in 1972.