The National Aeronautic Association issued a press release on April 18, 1964, publicly announcing Mock's historic first as the first woman to pilot an aircraft around the world.
On April 18, 1964, the day after Jerrie Mock completed her historic solo circumnavigation, the National Aeronautic Association (NAA), the official record-keeping body for aviation achievements in the United States, issued a formal press release publicly confirming and announcing her accomplishment as the first woman to pilot an aircraft solo around the world.
This official recognition was critical in cementing Mock's place in the historical record, as it provided institutional validation of her feat through a body affiliated with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the international governing body for aviation records. Without such formal acknowledgment, record-setting flights of this era could be disputed or overlooked, particularly for women whose achievements were sometimes dismissed or underreported by a male-dominated aviation press.
The NAA announcement helped ensure that Mock's flight would be entered into the annals of aviation history alongside other record-setting achievements, giving her the recognition she deserved. It also generated significant media coverage, propelling her into the national spotlight and establishing her legacy as a trailblazer.
This moment represents the formal, institutional capstone to Mock's daring journey, transforming her personal accomplishment into an officially recognized world record and a landmark moment in the history of women in aviation.