Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons¹²

Harold Charles Gatty

Australian aviation record holder (1892–1973)

Harold Charles Gatty (5 January 1903 – 30 August 1957) was an Australian navigator and aviation pioneer. Charles Lindbergh called Gatty the "Prince of Navigators." In 1931, Gatty served as navigator, along with pilot Wiley Post, on the flight which set the record for aerial circumnavigation of the world, flying a distance of 15,747 miles (24,903 km) in a Lockheed Vega named the Winnie Mae, in 8 days, 15 hours and 51 minutes.²

From Wikipedia’s article on Harold Charles Gatty (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Jan 5, 1903, died Aug 30, 1957.¹

Companies

Fiji AirwaysFounder¹¹

Career

Occupation: aircraft pilot, businessperson, writer.⁴

Date not recordedFounded Fiji Airways³

Early career

Gatty was born on 5 January 1903 in Campbell Town, Tasmania.

He began his career as a navigator at the age of 14, on 1 January 1917, when he was appointed a midshipman at the Royal Australian Naval College at Jervis Bay. Ironically, in light of his later prominence in the field, Gatty struggled to pass his courses in navigation.

Gatty withdrew from the Naval College in May 1920 to join the Australian merchant navy. For three years he was an apprentice ship's officer with the Patrick Steamship Company of Sydney. He served on many ships, some sailing between Australia and California. As a result of standing night watch, Gatty became an expert in celestial navigation.

For a time he worked in the provisioning of merchant vessels in Sydney Harbour.

In 1927, Gatty relocated to California, where he opened a navigation school, teaching marine navigation to yachtsmen. In 1928, his attention turned to air navigation.

Later career

After World War II, Gatty relocated to Fiji with his Dutch-born second wife. There he formed Fiji Airways which later became Air Pacific. In 2013, the company name was changed back to Fiji Airways. He was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1950, as one of two nominated European members, and served for two years.

A few days after completing his last book manuscript, Gatty suffered a stroke and died in August 1957. He was buried in Fiji.

In 1958, Gatty's completed manuscript on natural and primitive navigation techniques, Nature Is Your Guide: How To Find Your Way on Land and Sea by Observing Nature was published. Expanding upon the ideas of The Raft Book, Gatty developed a narrative of Pacific settlement by Polynesian navigators following migration of seabirds. He attributed cultural significance to the use of the pelorus by ancient Polynesians.

Gatty's 1958 book was later republished and re-titled Finding Your Way Without Map or Compass. Gatty's original August 1957 preface to his manuscript clearly states that environmental pathfinding observations were only intended to supplement, never supplant the use of map and compass.

From Wikipedia’s article on Harold Charles Gatty (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Personal life

BornJan 5, 1903, Campbell Town^{5 6}
DiedAug 30, 1957, Fiji^{7 8}
CitizenshipAustralia⁹

Awards

Date not recordedDistinguished Flying Cross¹⁰

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

1
WikidataHarold Charles Gatty on Wikidata
2
WikipediaHarold Charles Gatty on Wikipedia
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WikidataHarold Charles Gatty: Founded Fiji Airways, on Wikidata
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WikidataHarold Charles Gatty: occupation, on Wikidata
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WikidataHarold Charles Gatty: place of birth, on Wikidata
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Wikidataplace of birth, as reported
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WikidataHarold Charles Gatty: place of death, on Wikidata
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Wikidataplace of death, as reported
9
WikidataHarold Charles Gatty: citizenship, on Wikidata
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WikidataHarold Charles Gatty: award, on Wikidata
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WikidataFiji Airways, Founder
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Wikimedia CommonsHarold Charles Gatty photo by Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain