In the early days of aviation many aircraft designers and builders were also pilots. Glenn Curtiss, Glenn L. Martin, Howard Hughes and Bill Boeing all had time in their designs. Donald Wills Douglas was the exception. Although he designed many pioneering airplanes, and his DC-3 (actually designed by Arthur Raymond) was the preferred choice of many airlines, Douglas himself never learned to fly.
Share this story
Become better informed pilot.
Join 110,000 readers each month and get the latest news and entertainment from the world of general aviation direct to your inbox, daily.