Google Doodle celebrates aviation trailblazer

Today, November 20 2019, Google are celebrating the memory of Maude "Lores" Bonney in a milestone that is being marked with a Google Doodle dedicated to the first woman to fly solo from Australia to England.

The year was 1933, and on April 10 Maude set off from Brisbane, Australia on a gruelling ten-week, 12,000-mile, 157-hour journey landing in Croyden, England on June 21.

During the journey, she travelled through heavy storms, survived two crashes, and even had a run-in with wild water buffalo. This was achieved whilst navigating her way halfway accross the world without a radio and carrying out all her own plane maintenance.

Her accomplishments didn't stop there. Four years later she became the first person to fly solo from Australia to South Africa, she recieved an honorary doctorate from Griffith University, was confirmed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire, and a Member of the Order of Australia.

Maude Bonney, we salute you!