Rosina Ferrario

Milan, 1888-1957

Test Pilots and Experimenters

A modern and fearless woman, she obtains her pilot’s licence in Vizzola Ticino at the flight school directed by Gianni Caproni (1913). She is the first Italian female pilot and eighth in the world. She participates in many aeronautical events at the controls of Caproni and Gabardini planes (1913-1914) aircraft. In May 1915, she tries to enlist first with the Red Cross and then with the newly established Aviation Corps, but her application is rejected. In the post-war period she abandons the world of aviation because she no longer agrees with its approaches and regretting the romantic atmosphere of its early days. Having retired to private life, she is awarded a medal of merit for aviation pioneers (1943).