Carl S. Bates

Carl S. Bates (January 1, 1884 – August 27, 1956) was an aviation pioneer from Clear Lake, Iowa. He piloted gliders in 1899, and in 1906 he designed a gasoline-powered airplane that was equipped with an air-cooled engine, a metal propeller and metal wing rudders.[1]

Biography

Bates was the first person in Iowa to fly a heavier-than-air aircraft. He also built, flew and sold several aircraft and plans. Foundations of the modern hang gliding movement are traced in part to the popular Chanute style biplane that he spread with his articles to the public, as well as providing plans for homebuilders to build the biplane hang glider.

In 1898 at age 14, Bates built and flew a hang glider.[2][3]

In April 1909, he authored a Popular Science how-to article on hang glider construction.[4]

In 1911, Bates designed a built and monoplane with an engine of his own design.

In 1912, Bates sold his company, the Bates Aeroplane Co, to Edward Bayard Heath.[5]

Bates died in 1956.

Legacy

In 2002 Carl S. Bates was inducted in the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame.[6]

References
  1. Early Aviators - Carl S. Bates' biography
  2. Bates monoplane hang glider
  3. First to fly a manned glider in the state of Iowa, USA Archived 2007-10-07 at the Wayback Machine
  4. The Popular Mechanics Glider Archived 2006-02-07 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Heathkit". Retrieved 22 March 2011.
  6. Iowa Aviation Hall Of Fame Archived July 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine

See also
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