Harold R. Harris: Difference between revisions
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On February 23, 1924, Harris became one of the first pilots to fly the Emile Berliner Helicopter, the U.S. Air Service's first experimental helicopter.<ref name="Cornelisse, Diana G 2002. pp. 128-129"/> |
On February 23, 1924, Harris became one of the first pilots to fly the Emile Berliner Helicopter, the U.S. Air Service's first experimental helicopter.<ref name="Cornelisse, Diana G 2002. pp. 128-129"/> |
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Unauthorized "stunt" flying was common at McCook Field, and in 1924 Harris was observed flying his DH-4 under a bridge over the Great Miami River while upside down.<ref name="Johnson, Mary Ann 1927. pp. 113-114"/> |
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Harris was eventually put in charge of the flight test section at McCook Field, and by 1926 he held 13 world flying records. By the conclusion of his test pilot career Harris held 16 American and 10 world flight records. |
Harris was eventually put in charge of the flight test section at McCook Field, and by 1926 he held 13 world flying records. By the conclusion of his test pilot career Harris held 16 American and 10 world flight records. |
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==Post War== |
==Post War== |
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Harold R. Harris left the military for the second time to join [[American Overseas Airlines]]. In 1950 American |
Harold R. Harris left the military for the second time to join [[American Overseas Airlines]]. In 1950 American Overseas Airlines was incorporated into Pan Am Airlines, and Harris became became Vice-President in charge of the Atlantic Division. From 1954 to 1955 Harris was President and Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Airlines. He resigning because of health issues, and conflicts with the Northwest Airlines Board of Directors. From 1955 until 1965 Harris was President of Aviation Financial Services, Inc., a company that helped fledgling airlines acquire operating capital. Harris retired in 1965 at age 70. |
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Harold R. Harris died in his home in [[Falmouth, Massachusetts]] in 1988, at age 92. |
Harold R. Harris died in his home in [[Falmouth, Massachusetts]] in 1988, at age 92. |
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[[Category:1895 births]] |
[[Category:1895 births]] |
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[[Category:1988 deaths]] |
[[Category:1988 deaths]] |
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[[Category:History of Dayton, Ohio]] |
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Revision as of 23:10, 6 September 2011
Harold R. Harris | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 20, 1895 |
| Died | July 30, 1988 (aged 92) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Aviator |
Harold Ross Harris (1895–1988) was a notable American test pilot and U.S. Army Air Force officer who held 26 flying records. He made the first flight by American pilots over the Alps from Italy to France, successfully tested the world's first pressurized aircraft, was the first airman to safely escape an aircraft by "bailing out" using a free-fall parachute.[1][2] In his civilian career he helped create the first aerial application "crop dusting" business,[2] and later retired as vice-president of Pan American Airways.
Early years
Harold R. Harris was born on 20 December 1895 in Chicago, Illinois. He showed an interest in aircraft at an early age, and at the age of 15 skipped school to attend the first National Aviation Meeting from 10–20 January 1910 at Dominguez Field, in Los Angeles, California.
Harold R. Harris joined the Army Air Service, and served in Italy during World War I. From March to July 1918 he was based at Foggia, Italy, where he served as chief instructor of day and night flying. While there Harris flew Farman and Caproni bombers. On July 25, 1918, Harris along with co-pilot, George Lewis, made the first successful flight by American pilots over the Alps, crossing from Italy to France. While based in Italy Harris helped the United States Navy establish an aerial ferry route from Ilan to Paris.
Test pilot
Following the conclusion of WWI, Harris was recalled to the United States and assigned as a test pilot at Wilbur Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio.[2] He remained at Wilbur Wright Filed for only a few months before being reassigned to McCook Field, near downtown Dayton.[2] The field was the Army Air Service's experimental test field, and there he became one of the Army's most important experimental test pilots.[2][3]
On June 8, 1921 Harris became the first pilot to fly a pressurized aircraft when he successfully flew a Dayton-Wright USD-9A with an experimental pressurized cockpit.[1][2] Two McCook Field test pilots had previously tried to fly the aircraft without success, including test pilot John A. Macready, who held the world altitude record in an oxygen equipped unpressurized aircraft.[1][2] On August 11, 1921, Harold R. Harris flew the first airmail aircraft designed to pick up airmail sacks from the ground.[1]
On October 20, 1922 Harris made history as the first pilot to bail out of a stricken aircraft using a free-fall parachute.[1][2] Harris was flying a Loening monoplane with a modified aileron when the aileron began oscillating badly, pulling the control stick from his hands.[1] Facing a certain crash, Harris bailed out of the stricken aircraft, landing in a backyard grape arbor at a house at 335 Troy St., suffering only bruises on his legs and hand from fighting with the control stick.[1] The Loening crashed into the side yard of a house at 403 Valley St, three blocks away.[1] There were no injuries to anyone on the ground. For his survival Harris was awarded the first membership in the Caterpillar Club, a club for aviators who have bailed out of stricken aircraft and survived.[2][3] The name refers to the insect that produces the silk used in parachutes.[2]
In 1923 Harris became the first pilot to fly the massive Barling Bomber, the world's largest aircraft.[1][2] Harris and his co-pilot Lt. Fairchild would be virtually the only pilots to fly the enormous aircraft during its brief operational career.[1]
On February 23, 1924, Harris became one of the first pilots to fly the Emile Berliner Helicopter, the U.S. Air Service's first experimental helicopter.[2]
Unauthorized "stunt" flying was common at McCook Field, and in 1924 Harris was observed flying his DH-4 under a bridge over the Great Miami River while upside down.[1]
Harris was eventually put in charge of the flight test section at McCook Field, and by 1926 he held 13 world flying records. By the conclusion of his test pilot career Harris held 16 American and 10 world flight records.
Post test career
Harold R. Harris briefly left the military in 1924 to begin the Huff Daland Dusting Company, the world's first crop dusting company. Though he did not fly as a crop duster he had helped with the development of crop dusting while stationed at McCook Field.
In 1925 Harold R Harris testified before the Morrow Board, a review board created by President Calvin Coolidge to investigate the potential of private, and commercial aviation. Harris testified that safeguards would have to be implemented to assure the safety of airline passengers that went beyond those in use on military aircraft. Harris also proposed an airline connecting the west coast of South America with the United States. In response to his suggestion, in 1929 Pan American founded Grace Airways, a joint venture between Pan American World Airways and Grace Shipping. The airline operated four Fairchild FC-2 cabin planes. At Harris' suggestion the planes were furnished with toilets, a first for any aircraft. The FC2 were the first aircraft carrying the American flag to fly scheduled routes south of the Equator. Between 1929 and 1939 Harris was based in Peru, where he held the position of Vice-President and Chief Operations Officer of Grace Airways.
World War II
With the onset of World War II Harris accepted a commission as Colonel in the Air Transport Command in 1942, resigned from Pan American Grace Airways. During the War Harris served as Assistant Chief of Staff, Plans; Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations; Commanding Officer of Domestic Transportation Division. When he left the service in 1945 he was the Acting Chief of Staff of Air Transport Command, having attained the rank of Brigadier General.
Post War
Harold R. Harris left the military for the second time to join American Overseas Airlines. In 1950 American Overseas Airlines was incorporated into Pan Am Airlines, and Harris became became Vice-President in charge of the Atlantic Division. From 1954 to 1955 Harris was President and Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Airlines. He resigning because of health issues, and conflicts with the Northwest Airlines Board of Directors. From 1955 until 1965 Harris was President of Aviation Financial Services, Inc., a company that helped fledgling airlines acquire operating capital. Harris retired in 1965 at age 70.
Harold R. Harris died in his home in Falmouth, Massachusetts in 1988, at age 92.
Decorations
- Distinguished Service Medal
- The Legion of Merit
- Air Medal (U.S.)
- Commander of the British Empire (Great Britain)
- Corona di Italia, Fatiche de Guerra ( (Italy)
- Abdon Caldern (Ecuador)
- Orden del Sol (Peru).
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Johnson, Mary Ann (2002). McCook Field 1917 - 1927. Dayton, Ohio: Landfall Press. pp. 113–114. ISBN 0913428841.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Cornelisse, Diana G. (2002). Splendid Vision, Unswerving Purpose; Developing Air Power for the United States Air Force During the First Century of Powered Flight. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio: U.S. Air Force Publications. pp. 128–129. ISBN 0160675995.
- ^ a b http://www.au.af.mil/au/goe/eagle_bios/1986/harris_1986.asp