Frank Trenholm Coffyn

Frank Trenholm Coffyn (October 24, 1878 – December 10, 1960) was a pioneer aviator.

Biography

Frank Trenholm Coffyn was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on October 24, 1878. [World War II draft registration ] He was the son of a banker, he became interested with flight after witnessing the flights of Louis Paulhan in New York in December 1909. His father was acquainted with one of the Wright Company board executives, and arranged a meeting between Coffyn and Wilbur Wright. Wilbur invited Coffyn to Dayton, Ohio where he began flight instruction in May 1910. He married Louise D. Adams and had the following children: Nancy Lou Coffyn, and Kingsland Coffyn.

Coffyn stayed with the Wright Exhibition Team until December 1910, flying in public exhibitions in Indianapolis, Montreal, Atlantic City, Asbury Park, and many other venues. He was a close friend of many of the other Wright pilots, including Walter Brookins, Ralph Johnstone, and Arch Hoxsey. He was often accompanied on the exhibitions by his wife, Louise Adams, and their young son Kingsland. Coffyn was known as a cautious and reliable aviator, staying well within the guidelines of safe flights established by the Wrights.

During the remainder of his time with the Wright company, Coffyn trained pilots in Dayton, delivered aircraft to the Army in Texas, and opened two flying schools in Georgia. In 1912, he was hired by the Alger brothers of Detroit to fly a Wright Flyer Model B in demonstration flights over New York City. The Vitagraph Film Company also paid to have Coffyn shoot the first aerial footage of New York City. For an extra thrill for the thousands of onlookers, Coffyn flew under the Brooklyn Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge.

Unlike many of the other early aviation pioneers, Coffyn continued his career in flying for the rest of his life. He was an Army flight instructor in World War I, sold aircraft for the Burgess company, and even obtained his helicopter pilot's license. He remained with the Hiller helicopter company until his retirement. He was an active member of the Earlybirds organization for pioneer pilots. He died on December 10, 1960.

This Is Your Life

* [http://www.centennialofflight.gov/wbh/wr_experience/film/html/flying.htm Frank Coffyn's] life was celebrated on Ralph Edward's 1950s television show in which historic footage of Frank flying his Wright Model B in 1912 was shown as well as having one of the surprise guests out of Frank's past, Roy Knabenshue, show up. Roy was Frank's old boss from the Wright Exhibition Team days. Roy and Frank, both in old age, were the last two members of the original team living when the show was filmed.

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