# 'Flying Flapper' dead at 98

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-flapper-dead-at-98/533654>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [March 24, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-flapper-dead-at-98/533654 "2010-03-24T18:37:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-flapper-dead-at-98/533654/1 "2010-03-24T18:37:39Z")

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[Link](http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704211704575140081449754638.html?mod=dist_smartbrief)

> [@](#):
>
> Dubbed “The Flying Flapper” by newspapers that followed her every feat, Elinor Smith set aviation records for endurance, height and speed at a young age.
> 
> Ms. Smith, who died Friday at age 98, was one of the last survivors of aviation’s early barnstorming days. She flew with such legends as Amelia Earhart and James Doolittle. She recalled Charles Lindbergh seeing her off from Roosevelt Field in 1928 on her most notorious exploit, flying under four of New York City’s East River bridges.

She worked for a time for Irvin Air Chute Co; a maker not only of parachutes, but of the famed [Irvin jacket](http://www.flying-jacket.com/about-irvin.aspx). I should wear mine today.

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**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-flapper-dead-at-98/533654/2 "2010-03-25T16:40:59Z")

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I didn’t realize she was still alive. I read her autobiography, _Aviatrix_, some years ago, and, while it’s as self-serving as any, she really was a bigger part of the Glory Years of Aviation than is remembered today. Even years later, she was still able to communicate the simple joy of being a spirited teenager with a wonderful new activity to participate in, the family resources to do it, and the encouragement to overcome pressures against it.

Thanks, Elinor.

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**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2010, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-flapper-dead-at-98/533654/3 "2010-03-26T12:08:13Z")

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Okay- that article just led me to look up others. I blame you for these Johnny L.A.

I looked up Bobbi Trout- this was on Wiki:

She never got married and is survived by her sister-in-law Hazel Trout and her nephew Brook Trout

Surely no one anywhere would ever be called Brook Trout?