Percival H. Spencer

Percival Hopkins Spencer (April 30, 1897 – January 16, 1995) was an American inventor, aviation pioneer, test pilot, and businessman. He was one of the Early Birds of Aviation, a group which required members to have flown a glider, gas balloon or airplane prior to December 17, 1916. That association credited Spencer with "the longest active flight record in aviation history": he first soloed in 1914 and was a licensed pilot until 1987.