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THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE
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BERTRAM B. ACOSTA
Karly Curtiss Pilot - Instructor - Test Pilot

[[image of Bertram Acosta]]

Bertram B. Acosta was born at San Diego, California, January 1, 1895, the son of California mining engineer. He attended local schools and developed an early interest in mechanical things. After racing cars and motorcycles he took an immediate interest in the first flying that came to the San Diego area in 1910.

When Glenn Curtiss started his aviation experimental station there at North Island that year Acosta at once attached himself to the camp where he soon became a sort of mechanics' helper. Eventually Curtiss took a liking to him and gave him encouragement. With the help of three neighborhood chums Acosta built a Curtiss-type plane with a 30 H.P. engine which he used to partially teach himself to fly. Gradually he became a more valuable mechanic at the Curtiss camp and was given the opportunity to do grass cutting practice on the school machines, then he was given some flying instruction by Theo C. Macaulay.

Acosta continued his work as a mechanic and junior aviator until 1912 when Curtiss induced him to go to Throop Polytechnic Institute, Pasadena, California to further his education, but he continued flying at every opportunity. He assistance in the development of Curtiss land and water planes at North Island to some extent and gradually became a very competent pilot.