 Frank Coffyn (right) and his son Kingsland (left), and an unidentified child (center) posing on a Wright aircraft | During the remainder of his time with the Wright company, Coffyn trainedpilots in Dayton, delivered aircraft to the Army in Texas, and opened twoflying schools in Georgia. In 1912, he was hired by the Alger brothers ofDetroit to fly a Wright Model B in demonstration flights over New York City.The Vitagraph Film Company also paid to have Coffyn shoot the first aerialfootage of New York City. For an extra thrill for the thousands ofonlookers, Coffyn flew under the Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges. Unlike many of the other early aviation pioneers, Coffyn continued hiscareer in flying for the rest of his life. He was an Army flight instructorin World War I, sold aircraft for the Burgess company, and even obtained hishelicopter pilot's license. He remained with the Hiller helicopter companyuntil his retirement. He was an active member of the Earlybirds organizationfor pioneer pilots. He died on December 10, 1960. |
