Mario Calderara

Verona, 1879-1944

The Brescia circuit

Having graduated from the Leghorn Academy as midshipman, he develops an interest in the experiments conducted by the Wright Brothers and becomes acquainted with Gabriel Voisin who urges him to design aircraft. Winner of the Brescia Circuit (September 1909), he is the first Italian to obtain a pilot licence (No. 1). In 1911, he designs and builds the first seaplane, and in 1912 the prototype takes off from the gulf of La Spezia. A corvette captain, in 1917-1919 he works with the American Navy and is assigned as air attaché to the Italian Embassy in Washington. He is discharged as frigate captain and starts a commercial business in the aeronautical sector in Paris

Bibliographical references
Calderara, Lodovico – Marchetti, Attilio | 1999 (a cura di) Mario Calderara: aviatore e inventore. Bivigliano – Váglia (FI): LoGisma.

Storia | 1973 | Storia dell’aviazione. Milano: Fratelli Fabbri editori.