Jean Batten

Jean Batten was born in Rotorua in 1901.
At the age of four, she moved to Auckland.
After spending fifteen years in Auckland, Jean’s parents split, leaving her with her aunt.
In 1929, Jean Batten visited Australia and sought out Charles Kingsford Smith to have a flight with the Southern Cross.
In 1930, Jean left Auckland and moved to London, the centre of the aviation world.
Later on in the year, Jean Batten also joined the London aeroplane club.
In 1931, Jean Batten gained a license.
Jean said later that she took to flying ‘like a penguin takes to water’.
Others thought that she was ambitious and determined, but a slow learner and TERRIBLE at landings.
Later on in 1931, Jean gained her commercial license.


Jean Batten was determined to fly to Australia from England and to achieve more than ‘just’ this.
On the 8th of May 1934, Jean Batten took off again on her third attempt.
Battling the elements, she reached Darwin in 14 days and 22 hours, almost a day longer than her stated goal, but smashing the previous record by five days.
Jean travelled by boat to New Zealand and toured for six weeks before returning back to Australia and flying back to England, the first woman to make the return trip.
Jean Batten continued to break records, including men’s.
She proved to the world that females can be aviators and can break male records.