Did you know that Jessica Cox is a Filipino-American who has the distinction of being the first person to pilot a plane with only her feet? She was born without arms but developed the ability to do a wide variety of tasks and activities with the use of her feet, including swimming, writing, and driving a car. Cox decided to pursue her sports pilot license in order to overcome a lifelong fear of flying.
Who Knew? Archive
Did you know that, in 1932, Katherine Cheung became the first licensed Asian-American female pilot in the U.S.? In 1935, she obtained an international airline license and flew as a commercial pilot.
Did you know that studies show that higher indoor environmental quality can minimize the risk of numerous health problems, including asthma, respiratory allergies, and stress, while improving sleep quality, productivity, and mood? The Airport is committed to constructing buildings with improved natural and artificial light, acoustics, thermal comfort, water and indoor environmental air quality.
Did you know that Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), is jet fuel made from renewable materials, such as waste biomass or food scraps? This next-generation fuel can power the future of aviation without adding to the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere – the lifecycle emissions of SAF are estimated to be 80% lower than those of conventional aviation fuel. SFO is taking the lead in making widespread use of SAF a reality, on its own campus, throughout California, and across North America.
Did you know that, despite the challenges, during FY2021 SFO also celebrated many achievements? These include upgrading Runway 28-R, implementing new sustainability measures, becoming the first airport in the US to offer onsite COVID-19 testing, and recognition for our work from our industry peers. Check out SFO's FY20-21 Annual Report to learn more.
Did you know that you that all passengers, employees and the public at SFO can receive real-time text alerts about emergencies at SFO? If you have a mobile phone, enable “Emergency Alerts” under the “Government Alerts” section of Settings, and you’ll receive real-time alerts in the event of an incident, emergency, or situation which requires critical and potentially life-saving information to be disseminated immediately.
Did you know that Janet Knight was the first woman to receive a transport license at Mills Field (the original name of SFO)? During the early 1930s, Janet purchased the Summit Flying School at Mills Field, becoming its owner and chief instructor. Her school turned out an average of sixty men and ten women pilots each year.
Did you know that there are more than 40 works by women artists from around the world on display throughout the Airport terminals? To get started, you can view previews of their pieces and where they are located through SFO Museum’s Public Art page.
Did you know that Ruth Kadish was SFO’s first female Airport Commissioner? Always thinking about how to make SFO a nicer place for passengers, she championed public art at SFO, and gave her full support to launch the SFO Museum and art programs, the first of their kind in the industry. Ruth was also behind SFO’s policy to always utilize live plants in the airport rather than artificial – something we still enjoy today.
Did you know that Maxine Crookston, Air Traffic Controller, was known as “the Voice of S.F. Airport” in the 1940s and 50s? Maxine was hired in 1942 by the Civil Aeronautics Authority (later the FAA) as a controller. She transferred to the San Francisco Airport Control Tower in 1946 and eventually became the country’s first female Watch Supervisor. Pilots in and out of SFO loved hearing her voice from the tower.