Howard Hughes Bio

Howard Robard Hughes
1905 – 1976

Billionaire Howard Hughes had a life long association with aviation. He took flying lessons at the age of 14 and became a licensed pilot when he was producing and directing the movie Hell's Angels (1930).

To support his aviation ventures, Hughes created the Hughes Aircraft Company in Glendale, California in 1932. Designing some of the most advanced planes of their day, Hughe's team of designers and mechanics made racing planes to set flying records. Hughes was active in the design and building of the planes and also acted as test pilot.

Hughes captured his first aviation prize at the All-American Air Meet flying in 1934, flying an extensively modified Boeing P-12 fighter, and many others including: the Harmon Trophy in 1936 and 1938, the Collier Trophy in 1938, the Octave Chanute Award in 1940, and a special Congressional Gold Medal in 1939 "in recognition of the achievements of Howard Hughes in advancing the science of aviation and thus bringing great credit to his country throughout the world."



				Howard Robard Hughes 1905 – 1976 Billionaire Howard Hughes had a life long association with aviation. He took flying lessons at the age of 14 and became a licensed pilot when he was producing and directing the movie Hell's Angels (1930). To support his aviation ventures, Hughes created the Hughes Aircraft Company in Glendale, California in 1932. Designing some of the most advanced planes of their day, Hughe's team of designers and mechanics made racing planes to set flying records. Hughes was active in the design and building of the planes and also acted as test pilot. Hughes captured his first aviation prize at the All-American Air Meet flying in 1934, flying an extensively modified Boeing P-12 fighter, and many others including: the Harmon Trophy in 1936 and 1938, the Collier Trophy in 1938, the Octave Chanute Award in 1940, and a special Congressional Gold Medal in 1939 "in recognition of the achievements of Howard Hughes in advancing the science of aviation and thus bringing great credit to his country throughout the world."