Clyde Cessna

Clyde Vernon Cessna was born on 5 December 1879 in Iowa, USA. He was one of the first owners of an automobile and became a capable mechanic and car salesman. In 1910 he witnessed an aviation exhibition and immediately became interested in flying. During the following year, he taught himself to fly and, after much trial and error, designed his own experimental light aircraft. He then built several more aircraft and even opened a flying school. The United States entered World War I in 1917, severely hampering the civilian aircraft industry in the country. However, when the war ended in 1918, the industry recovered. In 1925, Clyde Cessna joined Walter Beech and Lloyd Stearman to found the Travel Air Manufacturing Company. Two years later, Cessna left Travel Air to start the Cessna Company with his son Eldon. As president and chief engineer, Clyde Cessna developed several successful light aircraft. In 1930, he focused on gliders, racers and affordable aircraft, but the Great Depression forced him to close the company in 1931. Even so Clyde and Eldon Cessna continued to build custom-ordered aircraft and racers. In 1934, Clyde Cessna's nephew Dwane Wallace helped him re-open the Cessna Company's doors. Cessna contributed to the design of several successful light aircraft, before selling the company to his nephew in 1936. Clyde Cessna died in November 1954 at the age of 74.

Unlock This Issue for Free

This issue can be unlocked by providing a valid email address

Name:

Email Address:

Tom Pattle

“Flying an aeroplane in combat should be automatic. The mind must be free to think what to do. It must never be clouded with any thought on how it should be done.” - Tom Pattle

Oldest Airlines in the World Still in Operation

Which are the oldest airlines in the world still in operation?

Faith, Hope and Charity – Gladiators over Malta

In his book ‘Fight for the Sky’, Battle of Britain ace Douglas Bader described the siege of Malta as a fight for the key to the Mediterranean. “From June 1940 to November 1942, the island had 3 215 air raid warnings: an average of one every seven hours for two and a half years,” wrote Bader. That was the setting for the legend of ‘Faith’, ‘Hope’ and ‘Charity.’

The Katangese Air Force

Africa’s second largest country has an interesting but tragic history. This is a brief look at an unlikely air force which was formed in dire circumstances.

Twin-Boom Transport Aircraft

Twin-boom transport aircraft may be virtually extinct in our modern times, but not so long ago, they were a fairly common sight around the world. These aircraft benefitted from easy access for cargo, through large doors which were unobstructed by tail assemblies.

Tom Pattle

Oldest Airlines in the World Still in Operation

Faith, Hope and Charity – Gladiators over Malta

The Katangese Air Force

Twin-Boom Transport Aircraft

Aviation News Journal

Categories

Social Footprints