Charles F. Willard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charles F. Willard
Willard in 1910
Born	Charles Foster Willard (1883-10-13)October 13, 1883 Melrose, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	February 1, 1977(1977-02-01) (aged 93) Glendale, California, U.S.
Occupation	Aviator, engineer, explorer
Known for	First barnstormer (1909) Fourth American pilot of an airplane (1909) First person to fly three passengers in the United States (1910) First person to be shot down in an airplane (1910)
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Charles Foster Willard (born October 13, 1883 – died February 1, 1977) was an amazing American aviator and engineer. He became famous as the very first "barnstormer." This meant he performed exciting trick flights in his airplane! Willard was one of the first people taught to fly by the famous Glenn Curtiss in 1909. He was also among the first ten people in the world to get an official pilot's license. Charles Willard achieved many "firsts" in aviation history.

Charles F. Willard: Aviation Pioneer

Charles Foster Willard was a true pioneer in the early days of flight. He was known for his daring spirit and his skill as a pilot. He helped show the world what airplanes could do. Willard's flights often amazed crowds. He was a key figure in making aviation popular.

Amazing Aviation Firsts

Willard made history many times with his flights. In 1910, he made the first-ever flight over downtown Los Angeles. This was a big moment for the city. He also became the first person in the United States to fly with three passengers at once. This showed that airplanes could carry more than just one or two people.

Willard also holds a very unusual record. He was the first person to have his airplane hit by a bullet while flying! An annoyed farmer, upset by the noise, shot at his plane with a squirrel gun. The bullet hit Willard's propeller, but he landed safely.

Flying with Passengers and Sharpshooters

At the Harvard-Boston Aero Meet in 1910, Charles Willard took Miss Eleanor Ladd for a flight. She worked for a Boston newspaper. People believe she was the first newspaper woman in America to fly in an airplane. This was a big step for women in aviation and journalism.

During the same airshow, Willard took Army Lieutenant Jacob E. Finkel up in his Curtiss biplane. Lieutenant Finkel was a rifle sharpshooter. As Willard flew circles, Finkel fired shots from the airplane at targets on the ground. He hit them most of the time! This "experiment" was considered very successful. It showed how airplanes might be used in the future.