Oskar Bider
Oskar Bider: Swiss Aviation Pioneer
Oskar Bider (12 July 1891 – 7 July 1919) was a seminal figure in the early days of aviation, particularly known for his pioneering flights over the Pyrenees and the Alps. Born in Langenbruck in the canton of Basel-Land, Switzerland, Bider grew up with aspirations that diverged from his family's business in drapery. He pursued education in agriculture at the Agricultural School in Langenthal and worked on several farms before turning his sights to aviation.
Early Aviation Feats
Bider's foray into aviation was marked by his association with the Blériot XI, a pioneering aircraft of its time. He made a name for himself by flying over two major mountain ranges, a feat that was deemed extremely challenging due to the limited technology of early aviation. His notable flights included traversing the Pyrenees and the Alps in 1913, which showcased the potential of aviation as a means of overcoming natural barriers.
Contributions to Civil Aviation
In the later part of his career, Bider turned his attention to promoting civil aviation. On 21 June 1919, he undertook a significant flight with two passengers around Switzerland, demonstrating the viability of air travel for leisure and tourism. This flight, which began and ended in St. Jakob, Basel, lasted seven and a half hours and was a testament to his piloting skill and vision for Swiss aviation.
Founding of the Swiss Society for Air Tourism
In July 1919, Bider, along with Fritz Rihner, founded the Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Lufttourismus (Swiss Society for Air Tourism). The society aimed to facilitate tour flights using flying boats from various popular tourist sites including Zürichhorn, Geneva, Interlaken/Thun, Locarno, Lugano, Lucerne, Lausanne-Ouchy, Romanshorn, and St. Moritz.
Legacy and Memorials
Tragically, Bider's life and career were cut short on 7 July 1919 when he was killed in a plane crash at Dübendorf Airfield. Despite his untimely death, his legacy in Swiss aviation is preserved through various memorials, including a statue by Hermann Haller in Bern. His contributions to aviation are also commemorated at the Swiss Museum of Transport which houses the oldest surviving Swiss aircraft, a Blériot XI flown by Bider.