A pioneering pilot who was the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia will be remembered with a spectacular air display over the pier on Saturday.

Amy Johnson was born in Hull in 1903 as the eldest of four sisters. She took her pilot’s licence in 1929 after being captivated by the sight of biplanes taking off and landing at an aerodrome in London.

Just a year later she became a hero when she completed her record-breaking flight down under. Unlike journeys in the modern jet age, the flight took 16 days to complete.

But she died in a plane crash off the coast of Herne Bay in January 1941 while way off course. A sailor lost his life trying to save her and a passenger from the icy water.

Now there will be a day of aviation- and wartime-themed events to remember her at the pier, including a thrilling low-level flypast by Tracey Curtis-Taylor in her Boeing Stearman biplane Spirit of Artemis.

There will also be entertainment from Forces sweetheart Kas, and street theatre performances from local group PGY Productions.

The event has been organised by the Pier Trust and the Amy Johnson in Herne Bay Project.

Organiser Jane Piston said: “Amy Johnson achieved fame and adoration breaking multiple aviation records before losing her life serving her country off the shores of wartime Herne Bay, aged only 37.

“The Amy Johnson & Herne Bay Project aims to celebrate and remember the pioneering aviator’s life and achievements.

“It also seeks to inspire the next generation to consider a career in aviation and engineering and, as Amy Johnson said in 1936, ‘believe nothing to be impossible’.”

The entertainment will begin at 11am, and Amy Johnson’s descendants will also attend to reveal a new display board on the pier at noon.

The main flyover will take place at 12.10pm, with other events to follow.

For more information about Amy Johnson and her life, visit www.amyjohnsonhernebay.com