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EDWARD B. HEATH
Pioneer Light Plane Builder-Pilot

FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE

Edward B. Heath was born in Brooklyn, New York November 17th, 1888. He attended schools there and graduated from Lincoln High in 1907. He developed an early interest in anything mechanical and this led to motorcycling. He became quite an expert with them and did some racing.

The first published articles on aviation facinated Heath and he began building and experimenting with gliders while still in school.

[[image - Portrait of Edward B. Heath]]

He built his first power machine in 1908 and after continued experimenting succeeded in making his first straightaway flight at the Antlers Club Grounds, Amsterdam, New York, on October 10th, 1909. Coming down the landing gear collapsed, but he was not injured. On November 2d he made another half mile hop at the Fonda, New York Fair Grounds and nosed over in landing, breaking the propeller. 
On July 4th, 1910 Heath made a short flight at the Amsterdam Fair Grounds for $500 and again smashed up in landing. He also sold 200 post card photos of his plane. 
By this time Heath made up his mind he really wanted to get into aviation, so decided to go to Hammondsport to see Glenn Curtiss, as the two had met while racing motorcycles. At Hammondsport Curtiss gave Heath a job, but he was disgusted when he was put in the motorcycle department. There, however, Heath met 

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