Billy Robinson (aviator)

For the British professional wrestler and coach, see Billy Robinson.

For other persons named William Robinson, see William Robinson

William C. "Billy" Robinson (September 24, 1884, Redfield, South Dakota – March 11, 1916, near Grinnell, Iowa) was an early American aviator. Robinson moved to Grinnell in 1896 at age 12. He was a handyman, tinkerer, and bicycle repairman who designed and built his own flying machine. In 1911, with the help of Charles Hink, Robinson constructed a 60 horsepower radial motor for his monoplane. His innovations for the radial motor were revolutionary. In 1914 he set a record for non-stop flight, carrying mail from Des Moines to Kentland, Indiana. Robinson perished while flying his biplane, attempting to set an altitude record on March 11, 1916.

External links

Billy's entry in the Early Birds of Aviation.
Billy Robinson's final flight
Photographic history of Robinson's aviation accomplishments as part of the Iowa Heritage Digital Collection.

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Name	Robinson, Billy
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Date of birth	September 24, 1884
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Date of death	March 11, 1916
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