Larry Newman (aviator)

Larry Newman
Born	September 28, 1947 Los Angeles, California
Died	December 20, 2010 Scottsdale, Arizona
Cause of death	pancreatic cancer
Residence	Scottsdale, Arizona
Nationality	American
Citizenship	USA
Occupation	Pilot, Founder of Electra Flyer Corporation and American Aerolights
Known for	Flying the first balloon across the Atlantic, the Double Eagle II.

Larry Newman (September 28, 1947 – December 20, 2010) was an American pilot and balloonist.

Early life

Newman won the Congressional Gold Medal awarded by the United States Congress for his flight in the Double Eagle II with Ben Abruzzo and Maxie Anderson. The flight was the first manned balloon crossing of the Atlantic non-stop.^[1][2] In 1981, Newman flew the Double Eagle V in the first-ever manned balloon crossing over the Pacific with Ben Abruzzo, Ron Clark and Rocky Aoki.^[3]

Newman helped popularize hang gliding with his company Electra Flyer Corporation, which produced thousands of hang gliders at its peak. He also founded ultralight aircraft manufacturer American Aerolights in 1979.^[4][5][6][7]

In 1985 Newman sold his business and became a pilot for America West airlines.

References

1. Glen Bledsoe, Karen Bledsoe. Ballooning Adventures.
2. Charles McCarry. Double Eagle. ISBN 0-316-55360-3.
3. Dan Grunloh. "Remembering Ultralight Pioneer Larry Newman". Retrieved 9 Feb 2011.
4. "American Aerolights Double Eagle". Archived from the original on 19 October 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
5. "American Aerolights Double Eagle". Archived from the original on 5 September 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
6. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, pages B-77 and E-13. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
7. Virtual Ultralight Museum. "Eagle 215B". Retrieved 24 February 2015.