René Simon (aviator)
French aviator (1885–1947)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
René Simon (8 December 1885 – 21 April 1947) was a French aviator.[1]
René Simon | |
|---|---|
 René Simon, ca 1911 | |
| Born | 8 December 1885 |
| Died | 21 April 1947 (aged 61) |
| Other name | "Flying Fool" |
| Occupation | aviator |
Biography
Simon was born in Paris. He earned a French flying license, number #177, from the Aero Club De France. He toured the United States in 1911–12 with the Moisant International Aviators. He became known for daring tactics, and was called the Flying-Fool by the public.[2]
Simon was involved in what has been termed "the first airplane rescue at sea by another airplane" was made on 14 August 1911.[3] Simon was flying over Lake Michigan in a monoplane, when his plane accidentally went into the water, but did not sink. Pilot Hugh Robinson in a Curtiss hydroplane spotted him and offered to fly him back to shore. Simon, who was comfortable and smoking a cigarette,[4] preferred to wait for a boat to come and tow both him and his plane back to dry land.[5]
In February 1911, the Mexican government engaged Simon to reconnoiter rebel positions near Juarez, Mexico.[6][7] During World War I, he commanded a squadron that taught acrobatic tactics to fighter pilots. Simon was married by the time of World War I and had a commission as a Capitaine (Captain). He and his wife often dined with high-ranking military officials.
