Elena Caragiani-Stoenescu

Elena Caragiani-Stoenescu (13 May 1887 in Tecuci – 29 March 1929 in Bucharest) was the first woman aviator in Romania.

She graduated from the pilot school in Bucharest, but her applications for a license were rejected by the Romanian authorities. For this reason, she left for France, and two years later, she received her license, issued by the International Aeronautical Federation, being one of the first 15 female pilots in the world.

Biography Born in 1887 in Tecuci, she was the daughter of Dr. Alexandru Caragiani, brother of Ioan D. Caragiani, and Zenia Radovici. Elena studied law in Iași and where she graduated in 1913.

Interested in aviation, she first flew in 1912, together with her horse riding instructor. Soon she joined Bibescu's (National Air League) where she trained with Andrei Popovici. After completing the flight courses, she applied for a pilot license but was denied by minister Spiru Haret and General Crăiniceanu.

She left for France where she attended the School of Civil Aviation of Mourmelon-le-Grand led by Roger Sommer, at Camp de Châlons.

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