Pioneer aviator flies to Catalina

May 10, 1912: Southern California aviation pioneer Glenn Luther Martin made history when he flew his “hydro-aeroplane” over the ocean from “the waters of Newport Bay to the shore of Avalon, Catalina Island,” The Times reported, under the headline “Most Daring Exhibition Ever Given By Birdman.” Martin flew the 33 miles in his Avalon Zipper, the longest flight yet made over water, The Times said.

“He landed amid the tooting of horns and the shouts of a multitude of people whom he surprised by swooping down from the clouds,” the newspaper reported. On his return flight he carried the day’s mail from Catalina -- another first.