James C. Mars

James Cairn Mars (March 8, 1875 - July 25, 1944), also known Bud Mars and the Curtiss Daredevil, was an aviation pioneer. He was the eleventh pilot licensed in the United States.[1] As a balloonist, he was a student of Thomas Scott Baldwin, and as an airplane pilot, of Glenn Curtiss.[2]

James Cairn Mars
BornMarch 8, 1875
Grand Haven, Michigan.
DiedJuly 25, 1944(1944-07-25) (aged 69)
Los Angeles, California
NationalityAmerican
OccupationAviator, circus performer, airport operator, real estate
Known forBarnstormer, first pilot to fly an aircraft in Arkansas and in the Far East

Biography

Mars was born on March 8, 1875 in Grand Haven, Michigan.

On December 18, 1910, Mars made the longest plane glide on record when his carburetor froze at 4000-feet during an aviation meet in Fresno, California. His usual stunt glides were from 1000-feet. "For the first time ... the band did not play on the descent of a birdman." He glided in a half-mile spiral to land safely. Glenn Curtiss also performed.[3]

At the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exhibition in Seattle, 1909

On December 31, 1910, Mars made the first airplane flight in Hawaii on a Curtiss B18 biplane.[4][5]

He was credited in 1911 with being the first pilot to bring aviation to the Far East,[6] although flights had been made in both Japan and Vietnam in late 1910. Mars was the first to fly in both the Philippines and Korea.

He died on July 25, 1944 in Los Angeles, California.[2]

References
  1. "Aero Club of America". Wikipedia. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  2. "Bud Mars, 68, Dies. Made Balloon Ascension, Parachute Leap at 16. Gave Hirohito First Plane Ride". New York Times. July 27, 1944.
  3. "Mars Saves Life By Daring Glide; Engine fails to work when aviator is 4000 feet above City of Fresno". 33 (79). Los Angeles Herald. December 19, 1910. p. 1. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  4. "J.C. "Bud" Mars". Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  5. "Photos of Bud Mars Flight". Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  6. "Mars Fatally Hurt in Aeroplane Fall" (PDF). New York Times. July 15, 1911. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
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