When people think of prominent women who have served in the U.S. military, few immediately think of Patricia A. Denkler—yet her achievement marked a significant milestone in aviation history. Denkler was the first woman to land a jet aircraft on an aircraft carrier and become “carrier qualified,” breaking barriers in a field long dominated by men. Her accomplishment not only demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, but also helped pave the way for future generations of women pursuing careers in naval aviation and military service.
Lt. Patricia A. Denkler made history when she became the first female Naval aviator to land a jet aircraft on an aircraft carrier in September 1981. Receiving a shortened jet syllabus during her training, Denkler’s landing changed the trajectory for later female Naval aviators who received the full jet syllabus.
Courtesy of Patricia A. Denkler.
Denkler was first introduced to the world of aviation through her father. In an interview with SAM in 2025, she recalled that, “people will automatically assume initially that he had a large influence on my wanting to fly, but he really didn’t because, you know, I was ten when he retired …I was aware that he was a pilot in WWII and the Korean War, however, his influence was more of a fierce patriotism for our country. My eldest brother, Glenn, was a Marine Aviator who flew in Vietnam…his service definitely motivated and inspired me, however it was not even a possibility for me to consider the flight program, as women were not accepted until 1973. Growing up in Pensacola, Florida, known as the ‘cradle of naval aviation’, she knew many Navy pilots, who included her in many activities…they were most supportive of her when she started flying privately.
Training As One Of The Guys…or Gals
After being accepted into the Navy Flight Program in late 1977, she knew that she had to prove herself and demonstrate to her male counterparts that she could compete with them. After completing Aviation Officer Candidate School in February 1978, when it came time for her first flight, she wasn’t thinking of what impact she would have on future women who wanted to follow in her footsteps, instead she felt a sense of pride and belonging. “I was in a flight suit in a military airplane flying something for my country, and there is no description for that, it wasn’t so much the ‘gee wiz’ of the actual airplane, it was…realizing at that the moment–I was doing what my brother did and what my dad did and all my friends,” remembered Denkler.
Denkler’s first civilian flight was in the mid-1970s. Denkler recalled the flight as “life changing,” because of the solitude and peace she felt in the air. After acquiring an Aeronca Champ, which was hangered in St. Augustine, FL, Denkler’s path crossed with then Captain John McCain, Commanding Officer of VA-174, who encouraged her to join the military. Pictured above is Denkler with her Landing Signal Officer, Carl Pascarell.
Courtesy of Patricia A. Denkler.
By the time she had entered the military, women had already begun to break the glass ceiling in the skies. Rosemary Mariner, one of the first women to earn her wings as a US Naval Aviator, was already piloting fleet aircraft in the 1970s and became a source of inspiration for Denkler, and later, a friend. “Rosemary was the first woman to fly a tactical jet…she busted through doors like crazy,” said Denkler, recalling that her own career as a military pilot would not have been possible without the example set by Mariner and the other first female aviators.
The Flight of A Lifetime
On September 24, 1981, Denkler suited up to practice carrier landing in her TA-4J Skyhawk before the official qualification the following day. Relying on her training and remaining laser-focused on the task at hand, Patricia Denkler successfully landed on the U.S.S. Lexington. There was no fanfare aboard the ship afterward–no one on the ship or the higher ups in Corpus Christi, TX, were aware that a woman was participating in carrier qualification training until the moment after she completed the landing.
Images of Lt Patricia A. Denkler’s carrier landing in her TA-4J Skyhawk aboard the U.S.S. Lexington on September 24, 1981.
Courtesy of Patricia A. Denkler, Sullenberger Aviation Museum Collection.
My ponytail came out from underneath my helmet and…the Captain of the ship came up on the radio and said, ‘Hey, state your name, is that–,’ and I said ‘Denkler.’ And I always talked in a very low voice…and he said, ‘State your first name.’ And I went, ‘Pat.’ And he goes, ‘Is that Patricia or Patrick?’ And I went, ‘Alright, busted.’ And he said, ‘You’re doing a great job, keep it up and we’ll see you tomorrow when you come back.’
The Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Lexington wrote Denkler a letter congratulating her on her historic carrier qualification.
Courtesy of Patricia A. Denkler.
After making history, one of the first to congratulate Denkler was none other than Rosemary Mariner.
There was a knock on the door and it was Rosemary to congratulate me. ‘Come on down to the club and I’ll buy you a beer,’ and I said, ‘I can’t have a beer, I’ve gotta absorb what I’ve gone through.’
If you ask Denkler how her historic carrier landing changed the opportunities for female aviators in the military, she’ll say her contribution was built on the successes of the early female naval aviators who paved the way and credits discussions with Admiral Martin, Chief of Naval Air Training, as a major turning point for women. Admiral Martin attended the Annual Air Board meeting in October 1981 where it was decided that women would be able to earn their wings through the jet pipeline versus transitioning to jets in an abbreviated syllabus after receiving their wings through the prop pipeline. While Denkler certainly helped lay the foundation for others that followed behind her, what she wants people to remember about her story is to “go through every open door to see what’s on the other side.” She never intended to make history when she started flying, but going through every open door and believing she could do anything she set out to do helped her break another glass ceiling in the sky, paving the way for future generations of female jet pilots in the Navy. “Serving my country as a Naval Officer remains, singularly, the most important decision of my life. I remain humbled by the honor.”
Special thank you to SAM volunteer Ava W. for transcribing Patricia Denkler’s interview and contributing to this newsletter.