Charles M. Manly

Manly and Samuel Langley.

Charles M. Manly (1876-1927) was an American engineer who helped Smithsonian Institution Secretary Samuel Langley build The Great Aerodrome, which was intended to be a manned, powered, winged flying machine.

Manly made major contributions to the development of the aircraft's revolutionary 52 hp gasoline-fueled radial engine, called the Manly-Balzer engine.

Manly attempted to pilot the Aerodome in its only two tests, October and December 1903. The machine failed to fly both times, plunging into the Potomac River after its launch from a houseboat. Manly was rescued unhurt, although he was briefly trapped underwater after the second test.

References

Persondata
Name	Manly, Charles M.
Alternative names
Short description	American engineer
Date of birth	1876
Place of birth
Date of death	1927
Place of death