Pancho Barnes

Pancho Barnes
Barnes in 1931
Born
Florence Leontine Lowe

(1901-07-22)July 22, 1901
DiedMarch 30, 1975(1975-03-30) (aged 73)
Other namesPancho
Known forRacing pilot, Proprietor
Spouses
  • Reverend C. Rankin Barnes
  • Robert Hudson Nichols, Jr.
  • Don Shalita
Children1

Florence Lowe "Pancho" Barnes (July 22, 1901 – March 30, 1975) was a pioneer aviator and a founder of the first movie stunt pilots' union. In 1930, she broke Amelia Earhart's air speed record. Barnes raced in the Women's Air Derby and was a member of the Ninety-Nines. In later years, she was known as the owner of the Happy Bottom Riding Club, a bar and restaurant in the Mojave Desert, Southern California, catering to the legendary test pilots and aviators who worked nearby.