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Beckwith Havens

He is, indisputably, one of the most important and meaningful aviation pioneers in America. He walks like a king and has the quiet beauty of greatness about him. History has been wonderfully kind to Becky Havens.

He joined the Curtiss Aeroplane Company, and at the age of 20, became the first aircraft salesman in history. In 1911, he was taught to fly by Glenn Curtiss at the famed Hammondsport, N.Y., school, and a month after his May 1, 1911, solo, proved to be such a superb pupil, that he joined the Curtiss Exhibition team. During the next three years he flew across the country from Maine to Wisconsin, to Texas. After he completed the first flight over Havana, Cuba, he was presented with a pearl watch. He was the first National Guard flyer, and a long distance birdman of the highest achievement.

Becky made the first flight across Long Island Sound with a passenger (1912), and in 1913, won the Great Lakes race from Chicago to Detroit, by way of Mackinaw Island. Then he continued on to New York City, making the first long distance flight in a hydroplane. It was a sensational accomplishment, and for it the young prince received international fame, the Aero & Hydro Trophy, the Detroit Aero Club Trophy, the Glenn H. Curtiss Gold Medal, and the Aero Club of America Medal.

For a decade he helped sell Fairchild airplanes, and has, naturally enough, established several sales organizations of his own.

[[image - small drawing of a propeller]]

Beckwith Havens: born New York City, May 29, 1890.

[[image No. 72 -  drawing of an early biplane, side view]]]]

[[image No. 73 - black & white portrait photograph of Becky Havens]]

[[image No. 74 - black & white photograph of Becky Havens at the controls of a biplane]]

[[image No. 75 -  logo of The Curtiss Exhibition Co.]]

[[caption]] As a handsome young man (73) Becky Havens was employed as an exhibition pilot by Glenn Hammond Curtiss. In 1911, he was a popular attraction at the Texas State Fair, Dallas, where he decided to attach a Kodak to his wing, run a cord to his lap and experiment in aerial photography for local newspapers (74). Rare letterhead of Exhibition company (75), ca. 1912. [[/caption]]

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