Arline M. Baker
July 13, 1918 – February 27, 2005
Class: 44-W-8
Training Location: Avenger Field (Sweetwater, Tex.)
Assigned Bases: Luke Field (Goodyear, Ariz.)
Planes flown: PT-17, BT-13, AT-6, B-26, B-24
Arline Mildred Baker, a well-known Northwest airplane pilot, was born on July 13, 1918 in Portland and died Feb. 27, 2005 in Shelton, WA. She graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in Business. She also took Civil Pilot Training courses while attending the University of Washington. She worked for Pan American World Airways as Supervisor of Flight Simulator Training for Pan Am’s pilots, where Link Trainers were in use at the time. Arline was one of 1,074 women pilots who served the World War II effort by enrolling in the WASPs (Women’s Airforce Service Pilots) where she served primarily as a test pilot.
From the 1940’s through the 1960’s, Arline managed pilot training programs at San Jose (CA), Troutdale (OR) and Hillsboro (OR) where she was Chief Pilot. She was one of the first women to qualify for Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Certification, and during her flying career, trained ATP, Commercial, Private and Instrument pilots. She was also a Designated FAA Flight Examiner for many years in the Portland area. Her total flying time exceeded 13,000 hours. Arline spent the last 25 years operating a bookstore and gift shop in Hoodsport on Hood Canal (WA) and living in Shelton (WA).
Sources:
Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas, WASP Collection
Findagrave.com
