S.V. Setty

Sriram Venkatasubba Setty (IAST: Śrīrām Vaೆṃkaṭasubbā Saೆṭṭi) popularly known as S.V. Setty (1879–1918) was an Indian aviator and professor from Mysore, Karnataka, India. He was known as the first Indian aviator, assisting with the design of the Avro 504.[2][3][4]

Professor

S.V. Setty
Śrīrām Vaೆṃkaṭasubbā Saೆṭṭi
S. Venkatasubba Setty
Born(1879-12-28)28 December 1879
Mysore, Kingdom of Mysore, British India
(Now Mysuru, Karnataka, India)
Died12 October 1918(1918-10-12) (aged 38)
Bangalore
NationalityIndian
Alma materFaraday House, London
Thomason College
Maharaja's College
OccupationAviator, professor
Known forIndian aviation pioneer
AwardsGold medal for General Proficiency in Aeronautics (1912)
S.V. Setty (on right) and an Avro 500 biplane of Great War vintage in 1913[1]

S.V. Setty was also a founder professor of Karnataka's first engineering college, University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore.[5]

Early life and education

Setty was born on 12 December 1879, in Mysore. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Maharaja's College before enrolling in the engineering college at Guindy, Madras, Tamil Nadu. From Guindy, he transferred to Thomason College and then to Roorkee, where he completed his engineering degree.[2][1]

In his early days, he worked in the Mysore Public Works Department as an assistant engineer until 1909. He won a scholarship from the Mysore government to Faraday House, London, where he studied for a diploma in electrical engineering. He gained practical experience at firms in Rugby, Wolverhampton and London. During this time, he also became an associate member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers.[4]

Aviation career

In May 1911, Setty joined A.V. Roe and Company (AVRO), at that time the only British company specializing in building aircraft in England. On 12 March 1912, he built an aircraft with some help and tested it. His first flight was successful, even at low power. John Robertson Duigan, impressed by the maiden trial flight, complimented Setty and he even concluded a deal with Avro. This aircraft was later named the Avro Duigan.[6][1]

Setty's aircraft design then became the basis for Avro 500 series built by A. V. Roe. Later, in May 1912, he started designing a new biplane aircraft. The design was published in the Modern Review monthly magazine (July 1912, India), and it was different from the Avro 500. After completing its design, on 30 June 1912 he left for India, On 12 June 1912, Setty received a gold medal by A. V. Roe for General Proficiency in Aeronautics.[3][6][1]

After Setty left for India, Avro released the 500 series of aircraft, including the Avro 501, 502, 503 and 504. All of these, except the Avro 504, were similar to Avro 500 aircraft in basic design. The new biplane aircraft which Setty had designed turned out to be Avro 504, a popular World War I bomber. The Avro 504 evolved into the world's first trainer aircraft, In November 1914, the Avro 504 was the first aircraft to bomb Germany in the war. Setty designed the Avro Duigan which became the model for Avro 500 and then designed the new biplane the Avro 504.[6]

Later years

In 1913, a technical school was established in Bangalore in a shed-like structure headed by S.V. Setty as the superintendent, after his return from England. He became a founder professor of Karnataka's first engineering college, University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore.[7]

Death

The 1918 influenza epidemic killed about a fifth of Bangalore's residents, including Setty, his wife, and one of their four daughters. He died on 12 October 1918 at the age of 38.[7]

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References
  • Book: The First Indian Aviator, S.V. Setty written by Kasi Visvanatha Setti, Karnataka Arya Vysya Maha Sabha, 1984, ASIN: B0000CQO8R
  1. AIR MARSHAL M. MATHESWARAN AVSM VM PH.D (RETD). "Madras aviation – in peace & war". Madras Musings. 2017, madrasmusings.com.
  2. Group Captain (Retd) Joseph Noronha, Goa. "S.V. SETTY (1879 – 1918)". sps-aviation. 2009, sps-aviation.com.
  3. The Modern Review staff. "The first Indian Aviator". History. July 1912, The Modern Review.
  4. Aparajith Ramnath. "S. Venkatasubba Setty: A Hidden Figure in English Aviation History". technology and business. 2017, thewire.in.
  5. UVCE. "Development Plan for Centernary Celebrations" (PDF). UVCE: 100 Years of Academic Excellence. 2017, uvcecentenary.ac.in.
  6. "Was Mysorean S V Setty India's first pilot and aviator". The Times of India. 9 February 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  7. Dr Anantha Krishnan M. "103ISC: India's first aviator Prof Setti's contributions hover around Mysuru". One India. 2016, oneindia.com.
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