Bangalore : Aviation historians have debated whether S V Setty was the country’s first aviator ahead of J R D Tata, who got his flying licence in 1929, but recent evidence suggests that the Mysorean could indeed have been India’s first pilot and aircraft designer.

DRDO engineer Jayaprakash G N, Setty’s great grandson, secured some proof after extensive research and conversations with aviators. “Setty, born 1879, was the first Indian aircraft designer, pilot and aviator. He was the first to design and fly an aircraft in England that came to be known as Avro Duigan,” he said.

 

The Modern Review journal carries an article and an 1912 London interview of Setty reveal Setty’s role in designing the Avro Duigan and Avro 504. Setty, who was with the Avro in 1911 (8/05/1911), had an exciting experience in May that year. “There was a technical snag in an aircraft ordered by Australian aviator John Duigan. Setty, looking into the snag, took the opportunity to design a new aircraft and offered the design to Avro amazingly allowed him to do it.”

 

“Setty built the aircraft with some help and tested it on March 12, 1912. His maiden flight was successful even with low power. John Duigan, impressed by the first trial flight, complimented Setty and even concluded a deal with Avro” says Jayaprakash.