Aviation

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The aviation industry deals with the design, development, production and operation of aircraft. The industry involved in the various aspects of building, testing and selling of aircraft, aircraft components, missiles, spacecraft, and rockets in known as aerospace manufacturing. Until some decades ago, the aviation industry in many parts of the world was heavily regulated by the governments. More recently many private players have entered this field by operating airlines and general aviation flights. Airlines are the companies that lease or own the aircrafts that provide air transport services for passengers and freight. General aviation includes air charter, flight training, private aviation, parachuting, aerial photography, gliding, crop dusting, etc. which opens up vast avenues for potential entrepreneurs to explore. This also provides a great opportunity for producers of smaller aircraft. General aviation covers the majority of the world’s air traffic and is therefore a very popular business option among the wealthy and ambitious entrepreneurs. The aviation industry has been growing at a phenomenal rate since the governments of many countries liberalized aviation norms and regulations. Globalization also played a significant role in the growth of this industry. Read on to learn about the life and works of various famous business people in the aviation industry from all over the world.

Vote for Your Favourite Aviation
 1 
Richard Branson
(British Business Tycoon and the Founder of the 'Virgin Group')
Richard Branson
8
Birthdate: July 18, 1950
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Blackheath, London, Engand

Richard Branson is an English business magnate. The founder of Virgin Group Ltd., which controls over 400 companies, Branson was named on Time magazine's list of 100 Most Influential People in The World. Branson has also had a major impact as a philanthropist; he set up a charitable organization called Branson School of Entrepreneurship to provide entrepreneurial training to youngsters.

 2 
Howard Hughes
(Film Producer and an Important Figure in the Aviation Industry Who Became Known for His Ecentric Behavior)
Howard Hughes
6
Birthdate: December 24, 1905
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Humble, Texas, United States
Died: April 5, 1976

A multi-talented personality, Howard Hughes was one of the richest person of his time. A business tycoon, he made big investments in films and aviation industry. Passionate about flying, he set numerous flying records, and also risked his own life in process. Howard Hughes who inherited his family business and became millionaire at the age of 18, was later on troubled with mental illness and turned recluse.

 3 
Vijay Mallya
(Entrepreneur, Politician)
Vijay Mallya
10
Birthdate: December 18, 1955
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Indian business magnate and ex-politician Vijay Mallya, known for his flamboyant lifestyle, has donned many hats, from running the largest alcohol company in India; to owning a cricket team and an F-1 team; to launching an airline. Following a financial fraud scandal, he is now facing extradition from the U.K.

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 4 
Juan T. Trippe
(Entrepreneur)
Juan T. Trippe
7
Birthdate: June 27, 1899
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Seabright, New Jersey, United States
Died: April 3, 1981
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 5 
Ferdinand von Zeppelin
(A Pioneer in Development of Rigid Airship and Founder of Aircraft Manufacturing Company ‘Luftschiffbau Zeppelin’)
Ferdinand von Zeppelin
3
Birthdate: July 8, 1838
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
Died: March 8, 1917

German general and inventor Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin is best-remembered for inventing the Zeppelin rigid airships and pioneering development of rigid airships during early 20th century. Zeppelin eventually founded the German aircraft manufacturing company called Luftschiffbau Zeppelin that played an instrumental role in the design and manufacture of rigid airships and emerged as the leading manufacturer of large lighter-than-air vehicles.

 6 
William Boeing
(American Aviation Pioneer and Founder of ‘The Boeing Company’)
William Boeing
5
Birthdate: October 1, 1881
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
Died: September 28, 1956
Aviation mogul and Boeing founder William Boeing was initially a timber man. While learning to fly from Glenn L. Martin, he bought a plane from him, damaged it, and managed to repair it. Inspired by this, he built his first plane. He was also a horse-breeder and an avid reader.
 7 
Charles Rolls
(British Motoring and Aviation Pioneer & Co-Founder of 'Rolls-Royce')
Charles Rolls
3
Birthdate: August 27, 1877
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Berkeley Square, London, England
Died: July 12, 1910

British automobile and aviation pioneer Charles Stewart Rolls is remembered for co-founding Rolls-Royce. The Cambridge alumnus was the first pilot to fly across the English Channel and back without a halt. He died in a plane accident at age 32 and was the first British aviator to do so.

 8 
Anthony Fokker
(Aviation Entrepreneur & Aircraft Designer Who Pproduced Fighter Aircraft in Germany During WW I)
Anthony Fokker
3
Birthdate: April 6, 1890
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Blitar, Indonesia
Died: December 23, 1939

Though a high-school drop-out, Dutch aviation designer and entrepreneur Anthony Fokker showed his interest in mechanics quite early. He designed over 40 types of fighter aircrafts for the Germans during World War I. The aircraft that completed the first nonstop flight across the U.S. was also made by him.

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 9 
Neel Kashkari
(Investment banker, Politician)
Neel Kashkari
4
Birthdate: July 30, 1973
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Akron, Ohio, United States
 10 
Freddie Laker
(Entrepreneur)
Freddie Laker
3
Birthdate: August 6, 1922
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Canterbury, Kent, England
Died: February 9, 2006
 11 
Tony Ryan
(Irish Businessman, Co-Founder of 'Ryanair' Airlines and Part Owner of 'Tiger Airways')
Tony Ryan
4
Birthdate: February 2, 1936
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland
Died: October 3, 2007

The founder of Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair, Tony Ryan had to give up his studies at 18, following his father’s death, and take up jobs. He first tasted success in the aircraft leasing arena, with Guinness Peat Aviation. He also made significant charitable contributions to various Irish educational institutes.

 12 
Clyde Cessna
(Aviator)
Clyde Cessna
4
Birthdate: December 5, 1879
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Montgomery County, Iowa, United States
Died: November 20, 1954
 13 
Frank Lorenzo
(Known for His Management of 'Continental Airlines' and 'Texas International Airlines', Between 1972 and 1990)
Frank Lorenzo
4
Birthdate: May 19, 1940
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: United States
 14 
John King, Baron King of Wartnaby
(Businessman)
John King, Baron King of Wartnaby
4
Birthdate: August 29, 1917
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Brentford, Middlesex, England
Died: July 12, 2005
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 15 
Walchand Hirachand
(Businessperson)
Walchand Hirachand
4
Birthdate: November 23, 1882
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Solapur, Maharashtra, India
Died: April 8, 1953
 16 
Anton Flettner
(Engineer)
Anton Flettner
4
Birthdate: November 1, 1885
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Hattersheim am Main, Germany
Died: December 29, 1961
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 17 
Claude Grahame-White
(Aviator)
Claude Grahame-White
2
Birthdate: August 21, 1879
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Bursledon, England
Died: August 19, 1959
 18 
Lawrence Dale Bell
(Industrialist)
Lawrence Dale Bell
4
Birthdate: April 5, 1894
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Mentone, Indiana, United States
Died: October 20, 1956
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 19 
Olive Ann Beech
(Businesswoman)
Olive Ann Beech
5
Birthdate: September 25, 1903
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Waverly, Kansas, United States
Died: July 6, 1993
 20 
Allen Paulson
(Businessman)
Allen Paulson
3
Birthdate: April 22, 1922
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Clinton, Iowa, United States
Died: July 19, 2000
 21 
Ben Abruzzo
(Balloonist)
Ben Abruzzo
3
Birthdate: June 9, 1930
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Rockford, Illinois, United States
Died: February 11, 1985
 22 
William T. Piper
(Businessman)
William T. Piper
0
Birthdate: January 8, 1881
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: New York, United States
Died: January 15, 1970
 23 
Louis Charles Breguet
(Aircraft designer)
Louis Charles Breguet
3
Birthdate: January 2, 1880
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: May 4, 1955
 24 
Pierre-Georges Latécoère
(Business owner)
Pierre-Georges Latécoère
0
Birthdate: August 25, 1883
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Bagnères-de-Bigorre, France
Died: August 10, 1943