Origins of an Aviator (1887–1916)

The formative years that shaped the instincts, discipline, and curiosity of one of America’s great aviation pioneers.

Origins of an Aviator (1887–1916)

Reuben Hollis Fleet’s story begins long before he ever took the controls of an airplane. Born in 1887 in frontier-era Washington State, Fleet grew up in a world defined by self-reliance, mechanical ingenuity, and a willingness to push into the unknown. These traits would become essential in the age of flight.

In the early 20th century, aviation barely existed. Balloons were still considered cutting-edge military tools, and powered aircraft were fragile experiments. Yet Fleet was drawn to this emerging world long before most Americans understood what aviation would become.

His training in the U.S. Army Signal Corps began not with airplanes but with balloons, where he learned meteorology, altitude control, navigation without instruments, and the delicate balance that governed early flight. These lessons gave him a rare foundation in aeronautical principles before he ever touched an aircraft.

By 1916, Fleet had already earned a reputation as a careful observer, a skilled flyer, and a man deeply committed to understanding the air itself. These early experiences forged the mindset that would guide him through the extraordinary decades to come.

This is the beginning of a life devoted to building the future of aviation.

Explore This Era

• Early Life & First Flights
  Fleet’s childhood, early mechanical interests, and first encounters with aviation.

• Army Aviation Begins
  His entry into the U.S. Army Signal Corps and first exposure to military flight.

• Balloon Training
  The ballooning experience that taught him aeronautical principles before he became a pilot.