Margaret Fairweather

Margaret Fairweather (23 September 1901 – 4 August 1944) was a British aviator and one of the first eight women members of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). She was the first woman to fly a Supermarine Spitfire. Life Fairweather was born in 1901 in the West Denton part of Newcastle upon Tyne. Her mother, Hilda Runciman, Viscountess Runciman of Doxford and her father Walter Runciman, 1st Viscount Runciman of Doxford were both members of parliament. She was educated at Notting Hill High School for Girls She was an instructor for the Civil Air Guard at Renfrew. Air Transport Auxiliary After war was declared in 1939, she was one of the first eight women members of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). She was known as one of the First Eight, alongside Joan Hughes, Margaret Cunnison, Winifred Crossley Fair, Mona Friedlander, Gabrielle Patterson, Marion Wilberforce, and Rosemary Rees, under the command of Pauline Gower. She flew many planes including Tiger Moths and Hurricanes, and was the first woman to fly a Supermarine Spitfire.