Honoree – Emily Howell Warner

Emily Howell Warner

Honored 1983

Emily Howell Warner was born on October 30, 1939, in Denver, Colorado. She had just graduated from Holy Family High School when she took a trip on a Frontier Air Lines DC-3 from Gunnison to Denver. She knew right then that she wanted to be a pilot and started flying lessons the next week. By the time she was 21 she was a flight instructor with Clinton Aviation at Stapleton Airport and was teaching both private and airline pilots. She later gained Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) instrument and airline transport ratings. Her emphasis on flying safety and skill as an instructor led to her appointment as the Director of flight training at Clinton Aviation.

During the 1960’s airline companies were expanding and great opportunities opened for pilots with transport ratings. Emily began applying to airline companies in 1967. She updated her applications each year, but the airlines did not show any interest. She continued to build up flight hours as an instructor and in 1972 she applied to Frontier Air Lines. She was persistent and it paid off-after several interviews and a simulator test she was hired.

In February 1973, she started flying as a crewmember on the Boeing 737 aircraft, and later advanced to co-pilot on the DeHavilland DHC-6 “Twin Otter” and Convair 580 aircraft. In 1976, she became the first woman to become an airline Captain in the United States-flying the DHC-6. When Frontier ceased operations in 1986, she flew for Continental Air Lines, and later United Parcel Service (UPS). Emily finished her career working for the FAA as an Air Crew Program Manager for the 737 aircraft.

Opening the door for thousands of women who became commercial pilots after 1973 was a major milestone for the aviation industry. Emily Howell Warner has been recognized for her significant achievements with many prestigious awards including: Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame (1983), the National Women’s Hall of Fame (2001), and National Aviation Hall of Fame (2014).