Beckwith Havens (1890-1969) was an early American aviator. He flew primarily on the

Curtiss Pusher The 1911 Curtiss Model D (or frequently "Curtiss Pusher") was an early United States pusher aircraft with the engine and propeller behind the pilot's seat. It was among the first aircraft in the world to be built in any quantity, during an era ...

aircraft. In later life he gave accounts of what it was like to be an aviator in the pioneer days. He related how pilots were sometimes forced to fly in dangerous weather and conditions often from the threat of the spectators who came to witness early aviation.

Life and Career

Havens was born to Abraham Britton Havens and Leila Havens (''nee'' Beckwith) in 1890. In 1910 he joined

Glenn Curtiss Glenn Hammond Curtiss (May 21, 1878 – July 23, 1930) was an American aviation and motorcycling pioneer, and a founder of the U.S. aircraft industry. He began his career as a bicycle racer and builder before moving on to motorcycles. As early ...

's burgeoning aviation company first as a salesman then trained as an exhibition pilot. Havens stated that pilots were dying so fast that he'd be forced to fill exhibition dates. At one point before the season was over he'd inherit three different airplanes and three sets of mechanics. In

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin Chippewa Falls is a city located on the Chippewa River in Chippewa County in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 14,778 in the 2021 census. Incorporated as a city in 1869, it is the county seat of Chippewa Cou ...

at the behest of an angry crowd he was forced to fly and was almost killed when in windy conditions he crashed into power lines which fortunately had the power turned off. Primitive flying fields and unprepared grass terrains were often a hazard to early pilots. In 1914 Havens announced plans for a transatlantic and world circling flight and was having special plane built. During World War 1 Havens worked as a test pilot with the U.S. Navy. In WW2 he was in command of a naval installation at San Julien, Cuba. He worked as a distributor for

Fairchild Aviation Corporation Fairchild was an American aircraft and aerospace manufacturing company based at various times in Farmingdale, New York; Hagerstown, Maryland; and San Antonio, Texas. History Early aircraft The company was founded by Sherman Fairchild in ...

. In 1960 Havens published a book ''Reminiscences of Beckwith Havens''.''Reminiscences of Beckwith Havens''
by Beckwith Havens c.1960 He died in May 1969 two weeks before his 79 birthday.

References

External links

EarlyAviators.com {{DEFAULTSORT:Havens, Beckwith 1890 births 1969 deaths Aviators from New York (state) Aviation pioneers