Carl S. Bates (January 1, 1884 – August 27, 1956) was an aviation pioneer from Clear Lake, Iowa. He piloted gliders in 1899, and in 1906 he designed a gasoline-powered airplane that was equipped with an air-cooled engine, a metal propeller and metal wing rudders.Early Aviators - Carl S. Bates' biography
Biography Bates was the first person in Iowa to fly a heavier-than-air aircraft. He also built, flew and sold several aircraft and plans. Foundations of the modern hang gliding movement are traced in part to the popular Chanute style biplane that he spread with his articles to the public, as well as providing plans for homebuilders to build the biplane hang glider.
In 1898 at age 14, Bates built and flew a hang glider.Bates monoplane hang gliderFirst to fly a manned glider in the state of Iowa, USA
In April 1909, he authored a Popular Science how-to article on hang glider construction.The Popular Mechanics Glider
In 1911, Bates designed a built and monoplane with an engine of his own design.
In 1912, Bates sold his company, the Bates Aeroplane Co, to Edward Bayard Heath.
Bates died in 1956.
Legacy In 2002 Carl S. Bates was inducted in the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame.Iowa Aviation Hall Of Fame References
External links Carl Sterling Bates Carl Bates See gravestone. Bates' Popular Mechanics Glider plan as presented in a separate publication The Boy Mechanic. How to Build a Glider Biography Aerofiles Article by Carl S. Bates, describing how to build a [hang glider].
See also History of hang gliding Ultralight aviation Biplane