Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame
Enshrined 2004
Irene Leverton, a resident of Chino Valley, Arizona since 1988, was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1927. Irene was probably born several years early because as a little girl, she played with model airplanes instead of dolls. She dreamed of being a fighter pilot, and of flying international ferries. In the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s, in a man’s world, those dreams would prove difficult to fulfill. Nevertheless, flying has been Irene’s life.
She started as a duster and sprayer pilot, and then became a wartime flight instructor, teaching primary, advanced and aerobatic courses.
Later she instructed in gliders. Irene ferried aircraft, flew air ambulances, charters, and operated her own taxi service and flight school. She has flown as an executive pilot, scheduled commuter captain and for the Forest Service. For 14 years Irene was an FAA-designated pilot examiner.