Viola Estelle Gentry (1894 — June 23, 1988)[1] was an American aviator, best known for setting the first non-refueling endurance record for women.
[2] On December 20, 1928, Gentry flew 8 hours, 6 minutes and 37 seconds, which set the first non-refueling endurance record for women.
[9] Her aircraft, "The Answer", crashed in a field in Old Westbury, Long Island, New York, killing her co-pilot Jack Ashcraft.
On December 10, 1933, Gentry took off from Miami, Florida, in a new attempt to beat the record, supported by co-pilot Frances Marsalis and a refueling ship manned by Jack Loesing and Fred Fetterman.
[15] In 1954, Viola Gentry received the Lady Hay Drummond-Hay Air Trophy in recognition of her efforts on behalf of women in aviation.