1911: William Hart
The First Australian Pilot Licence
William Hart started his career as a dentist, and became the first "qualified" Australian pilot. He was awarded Australian aviator's licence No. 1.
His first record flight, in 1911, was from Penrith to Parammatta Park (near Sydney), a distance of about 29km. This flight took 19 minutes.
The following year an American, Eugene "Wizard" Stone, challenged William to a race (those were the days, eh?). This race was from Botany (East Sydney) to Paramatta (West Sydney), a distance of 32km. William completed the distance in 23 minutes and won the race. The Wizard got lost, which may have helped!
William set up a flying school in 1912, but had an unfortunate crash 3 days later. He was badly injured and never flew again, returning to his previous occupation of dentist.
William Ewart Hart
(1885-1943)
- 1911: Airman's Certificate
First issued in Australia
- 1911: Pentrith to Paramatta (29km)
then back to Sydney Showground
- 1912: Australia's first Air Race
Botany to Parramatta - Winner
- 1912: Australia's first flying school
Crashed 3 days later, survived.
William in his Bristol Box-Kite, Penrith, 1911
References
Aust. Dictionary of BiographyWilliam Hart Memorial (NSW Govt)
State Library of NSW
Images from National Library of Australia (by J.L.Turner):
Hart's first flight
(nla.pic-vn3722807)
Hart in his biplane, 1911
(nla.pic-vn3722802)
Hart at controls
(nla.pic-vn3722795)
Bill was the
first 'licenced'
Aussie pilot!
