EARL RAYMOND SOUTHEE 18??-19?? |
||
Earl Southee at Princeton, NJ, 1917 Courtesy Mike O'Neal. |
via email from his son, Robert Southee, 9-8-2002 My father was born in Binghamton,NY. One of the students he taught there was Elliot White Springs, who became a fighter Ace in France. They kept in touch for decades. Editor's note: A detailed story of Elliot White Springs' career may be found on The Aerodrome website by clicking on the link above. 1920's Dad went to the Wharton School of Finance, U. of Pennsylvania in the 1920s, also barnstormed and ferried aircraft. After college he became an airport and flying-school manager for Curtiss, and in 1929 Curtiss-Wright. 1930's My Dad's later aviation love was motorless flight -- gliding and soaring. He was a founder of the Soaring Society of America (1931) and managed the 'Glider Meets' (National Gliding and Soaring Championships), at Elmira, NY, during the 1930s. 1940's In 1940 he became an inspector for the old CAA (Civilian Aeronautical Authority), predecessor of the FAA. During WWII he was one of the leaders of the highly successful CPT (Civilian Pilot Training) program. 1998 EDITORS NOTE: March 19: These anecdotes were provided to me by Earl's son, Robert C. Southee, of Annandale, VA. Bob tells me that he has some photos of Earl which I can use, as well as many other stories. My sincere thanks to him and to Earl's grandson, Scott Southee, who alerted me to his dad and to the materials. |
It seems that Earl's student had frozen on the controls, and he had been unable to shake him loose. The student held on like grim death and both of them rode the airplane into the ground head first, burying the motor deep into the earth. The student was hurt the least because he was in the back seat, but Earl, in the front seat, received the full force of the impact, and as a result, spent many weary months in the hospital. Traction, plastic surgery and skin grafting were involved in his recovery. The doctors fixed him up so that he was as handsome as ever, even minus one eyebrow. |
A Story of Early Aviation Days by Edith Dodd Culver |
by Edith Dodd Culver |
If you have any more information on this Early Flier, please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper |