Bert Acosta

Bertrand Blanchard Acosta
Acosta circa 1927
Born(1895-01-01)January 1, 1895
San Diego, California
DiedSeptember 1, 1954(1954-09-01) (aged 59)
Denver, Colorado
Resting placePortal of Folded Wings
NationalityAmerican
EducationThroop Polytechnic Institute
Occupation(s)Aviator, Test pilot
Spouses
Mary Louise Brumley
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(m. 1918; div. 1920)​
Helen Belmont Pearsoll
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(m. 1921)​
Children
  • Bertina Dolores Acosta (1918–1970) Saranto
  • Gloria Consuelo Acosta (b. 1919)
  • Bertrand Blanchard Acosta, Jr. (1922–1993)
  • Allyn Lee Acosta (1924–1997)
Parent(s)Miguel Aphonse Ferdinand Acosta
Martha Blanche Reilly-Snook

Bertrand Blanchard Acosta (January 1, 1895 – September 1, 1954) was a record-setting aviator and test pilot. He and Clarence D. Chamberlin set an endurance record of 51 hours, 11 minutes, and 25 seconds in the air. He later flew in the Spanish Civil War in the Yankee Squadron.[1] He was known as the "bad boy of the air". He received numerous fines and suspensions for flying stunts such as flying under bridges or flying too close to buildings.[2]

  1. ^ "4 Americans in Spain to Fly for Madrid. Acosta and Three Mates Reach Valencia to Take Course in Military Aviation". The New York Times. November 21, 1936. Retrieved 2007-09-25. Bert Acosta, one of this country's leading racing pilots, and four other fliers from fields in the Newark district have arrived at Valencia, Spain, where they will go through a hurried course in military flying before taking the air against the Rebels, it was revealed here yesterday.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference died was invoked but never defined (see the help page).