Archibald Hoxsey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Archibald Hoxsey
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| Born | October 15, 1884 Staunton, Illinois, U.S.
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| Died | December 31, 1910 (aged 26) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Cause of death | Air crash |
| Known for | Flight altitude record Flight with Theodore Roosevelt |
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Archibald Hoxsey (born October 15, 1884 – died December 31, 1910) was an American pilot. He was famous for his amazing flying skills. He worked for the famous Wright brothers, who invented the airplane.
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Who Was Archibald Hoxsey?
Archibald Hoxsey was born in Staunton, Illinois. This was on October 15, 1884. Later, he moved with his family to Pasadena, California. When he was in his early twenties, he worked with cars. He was a mechanic and also drove cars for people.
Becoming a Pilot
Archibald was very good with machines. This skill helped him meet the Wright Brothers. In March 1910, the Wright brothers opened a special flight school. It was in Montgomery, Alabama. Archibald Hoxsey became a teacher there. He was even the first pilot to fly an airplane at night!
Flying with a President
On October 11, 1910, Archibald had a very special passenger. He took Theodore Roosevelt for a ride in his airplane. Theodore Roosevelt was a former U.S. President. This flight happened at Kinloch Field in St. Louis.
The "Heavenly Twins"
Archibald Hoxsey and another pilot, Ralph Johnstone, were rivals. They often tried to fly higher than each other. Because of their exciting attempts to set new altitude records, people gave them a nickname. They were called the "heavenly twins."
Setting a World Record
Archibald Hoxsey was very good at flying high. On December 26, 1910, he set a new flight altitude record. He flew his airplane an incredible 11,474 feet (3,497 m) high! That's like flying over two miles straight up!
Archibald was supposed to be in a big parade. It was the 22nd annual Tournament of Roses Parade. This was planned for January 2, 1911. He would sit on a float that looked like the plane he used for his record flight.
A Tragic End
Sadly, Archibald Hoxsey died on December 31, 1910. This was in Los Angeles, California. He was trying to set another new altitude record. His plane crashed from about 7,000 ft (2,100 m) in the air. The Wright brothers paid for his funeral. Some people at the time, like pilot Roy Knabenshue, thought he might have gotten sick from the high altitude. This is sometimes called "mountain sickness."
Archibald Hoxsey is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. This cemetery is in Atkinson, Nebraska. He rests in the same grave as his father, Archibald Hoxsey Sr.
