Silas Christofferson

Silas G. Christofferson (March 15, 1890 – October 31, 1916) was an American aviator. He was the brother of Harry Christofferson, a fellow Early Bird of Aviation, and the husband of aviator and X-ray technician Edna Christofferson.

Christofferson was born in Polk County, Iowa, in 1890. When he was six years old, his family moved to California. The most notable of these was Harry Christofferson.

In 1910, Christofferson co-founded the Bennett-Christofferson Airship Company in Portland, Oregon. Also named on the incorporation papers were Fred and Mabel Bennett. They were permitted to fly only in the early morning and after 4:00 p.m. to avoid spooking the mules at the barracks. Becker and Christofferson married on November 19, 1912.

Silas Christofferson takes off from the roof of the Multnomah Hotel in Portland, Oregon, for a flight to Vancouver Barracks on June 11, 1912. On June 11, 1912, Christofferson flew from a ramp Multnomah Hotel in Portland to the Vancouver Barracks. It was his second attempt of the day to fly over the mountain: his first attempt, at 5:21 a.m., was unsuccessful due to strong winds.

On October 31, 1916, Christofferson was testing a new biplane prototype at Redwood City, California, to demonstrate its safety. above the ground, his engine died and his aircraft crashed. He was rushed to the Redwood City Hospital by Edna and Harry. A few hours after the crash, Christofferson died of internal injuries. He was buried beside Lincoln Beachey in Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Colma, California.