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Clyde Vernon Cessna



Clyde Vernon Cessna

Clyde Vernon Cessna
CLYDE VERNON CESSNA
Aircraft Designer,
Founder Cessna Aircraft Company
Born in Hawthorne, Iowa, 5 December 1879. At age 31 he designed and built his own aircraft and taught himself to fly. Following the 1914-1918 World War he founded the Travel Air Manufacturing Company in Wichita, Kansas. As president, Cessna led the company to become one of the leading U.S. aircraft manufacturers. His advanced design concepts produced a line of internationally famous aircraft which established many speed and distance records.

In 1927 he formed the Cessna Aircraft Company, and during the decade of the 30's produced racing and sports aircraft that established traditions of safety, performance, and economy which are yet today the standards of safety for aviation. His aircraft introduced the pleasures of private flying to many thousands of pilots throughout the world.

Clyde Cessna retired to his farm to spend his later years in Rago, Kansas, where he died in 1954.
Elected to the International Aerospace Hall of Fame 1983