11 Facts About Dorothy Spicer

Dorothy Norman Pearse nee Spicer was an English aviator, and the first woman to gain an advanced qualification in aeronautical engineering.

Dorothy Spicer attended the Godolphin School in Salisbury, Wiltshire and studied at University College, London.

Dorothy Spicer had joined the Women's Engineering Society in 1932 in their Aeronautical Section, and is described as Ground Engineer to Miss Gower.

Dorothy Spicer studied for the 'B' engineer's licence during this time, despite the fact that institutions offering advanced courses were restricted to men.

Dorothy Spicer persuaded the manufacturers of the Spartan plane she and Gower flew in the circus to allow her to undertake the necessary practical and theoretical training at their workshops and earned her 'B' licence, becoming the first woman in the world to do so.

Dorothy Spicer held a 'C' licence, the second British woman to achieve this and became the first woman to achieve a 'D' licence in 1935.

In September 1937, at the Women's Engineering Society conference, Dorothy Spicer read a paper on the "Selection and Treatment of Steels for Aero-Engines".

In late 1940, Dorothy Spicer took on flying work as an air observer and research assistant with the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, and became involved in the development of a variety of new aircraft types and items of equipment.

In late 1940 Dorothy Spicer Pearse took on flying work as an air observer and research assistant at Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough.

Dorothy Spicer was involved in the development of a number of new aircraft and equipment.

Dorothy Spicer's husband worked as a test pilot at the same organisation.