BIOGRAPHY

Collyns Pizey from Aviation Archive: Aviation Heritage

 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES via email from Ian Sayer, 10-10-06 Flight Lieutenant Collyns Price Pizey      Flight Lieutenant Pizey , born 1st April 1883, at Clevedon, was one of the early pioneers of flying, having gained his certificate No 61, in a Bristol Box-Kite, on Salisbury Plain, 14th February 1911, that same year he took part in the Daily Mail Air Race. He was educated as an engineer, and passed through all the shops of the Bristol Tramway Company, where he gained the attention of Sir George White, who detailed him to assist Mr Sidney Smith when the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company was formed in late 1909 early 1910.      He later took charge of the flying schools at Salisbury Plain and Brooklands, where he and his assistant Harry Fleming were known as "Little Appy" and "Big Appy". They were masters at the art of flying training, and in September 1913 Pizey was appointed by the Admiralty as Flying Officer to the British Naval Mission to Greece, to carry out experimental and instructional work to organise the Greek Naval Air Service.      Little is known of his exploits in Greece, but sadly he died of dysentery in Athens, 11 June 1915.      Flight Lieutenant Collyns Price Pizey, Royal Naval Air Service acting Commander Royal Greek Naval Air Service. Died 11-6-1915 Athens, Greece. Buried Athens New Protestant Cemetery Greece Row A2 Grave 5 Regards Ian

 

"Volplaning in Flames British Aviator and Passenger Descend 1200 Feet. Just as the Men Spring from the Machine the Gas Tank Blows Up, But They Escape Practically Without Injury," Daily Journal and Tribune, Knoxville, Tennessee: Tuesday, May 27, 1913, Transcribed by Bob Davis - 8-26-06 "Salisbury, England, May 26. - Volplaning from a height of 1,200 feet in a blazing biplane, the British aviator Coloyns Pizey and passenger, H. Fellows, reached the ground in safety this evening and stepped from the machine just as an explosion of the gasoline tank wrecked it. The aeroplane was in easy flight over the outskirts of the town, when suddenly the carbureter took fire breaking the inlet valve, the aviator shut off the gasoline and started a steep volplane. The rush of air fanned the flames and to those who witnessed the incident, it seemed as though the men had but a slender chance for life. Tongues of fire swept under the passenger seat and Fellows drew hinself up and clung to the stays while the aeroplane made its swift descent.       Pizey held the wheel in firm grip although the flames scorched his hands and succeeded in making a splendid landing. Just as the men sprang from the machine the gas tank blew up, but they practically escaped injury."

 

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