Cause of death pancreatic cancer Citizenship USA Resting place Cremated Name Larry Newman | Nationality American Role Aviator Ethnicity Jewish | |
Born September 28, 1947 Los Angeles, California Occupation Pilot, Founder of Electra Flyer Corporation and American Aerolights Died December 20, 2010, Scottsdale, Arizona, United States Residence Scottsdale, Arizona, United States | ||
Larry Newman (September 28, 1947 – December 20, 2010) was an American pilot and balloonist.
Early life
Newman won the Congressional Gold Medal awarded by the United States Congress for his flight in the Double Eagle II with Ben Abruzzo and Maxie Anderson. The flight was the first manned balloon crossing of the Atlantic non-stop. In 1981, Newman flew the Double Eagle V in the first-ever manned balloon crossing over the Pacific with Ben Abruzzo, Ron Clark and Rocky Aoki.
Newman helped popularize hang gliding with his company Electra Flyer Corporation, which produced thousands of hang gliders at its peak. He also founded ultralight aircraft manufacturer American Aerolights in 1979.
In 1985 Newman sold his business and became a pilot for America West airlines.