Woman Pilot That History Forgot Inspires New Novel

Published: Feb. 6, 2019, 11 a.m.

In her novel Flying Jenny, Author Theasa Tuohy tells the story of barnstorming pilots who thrilled the public with their daring feats in cities large and small in the 1920s.

Flying Jenny follows fictional character Jenny Flynn. She’s a 17-year-old pilot who’s based on real-life pilot Elinor Smith. While not as well known as Amelia Earhart is today, Smith did an amazing thing in October of 1928. She flew her plane under New York City’s four East River bridges.

Theasa Tuohy joins us on this week's Cityscape to talk more about that story and her novel Flying Jenny.