René Simon (8 December 1885 – 21 April 1947) was a French aviator.[1]
René Simon | |
---|---|
Born | 8 December 1885 Paris, France |
Died | 21 April 1947 (1947-04-22) (aged 61) |
Other names | "Flying Fool" |
Occupation | aviator |
He was born in Paris and earned French license #177 from the Aero Club De France. He toured the United States in 1911–12 with the Moisant International Aviators. He became known for daring tactics and was called the Flying-Fool by the public.[2] The first airplane rescue at sea by another airplane was made when on 14 August 1911 Simon had been flying over Lake Michigan in a monoplane and accidentally dived too low. Pilot Hugh Robinson in a Curtiss hydroplane spotted him and sent boats to his rescue.[3]
In February 1911 the Mexican government engaged Simon to reconnoiter rebel positions near Juarez, Mexico.[4][5] During World War I he commanded a squadron that taught acrobatic tactics to fighter pilots. Simon was married by the time of World War I and had a commission as a Capitaine(Captain). He and his wife often dined with high-ranking military officials.
René Simon died in Cannes on 21 April 1947.[6]
The first airplane rescue at sea by another airplane was made by Hugh Robinson on August 14, 1911. Pilot Rene Simon had been flying over Lake Michigan in a monoplane and dived down to wave to some motorboats. Unable to rise, he crashed into the lake. Robinson, in a Curtiss hydroplane, flew over to Simon and found him in his floating plane smoking a cigar. Robinson hailed several people in motorboats, and they towed Simon and his monoplane to the shore.
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