Feng Ru. A name whispered with reverence in China, yet largely unknown in the West. Here at the Feng Ru No. 2 biplane exhibit in Chengdu, we connect with a story of ambition, innovation, and a man determined to bring his country into the modern age. Feng Ru, also known as Fung Joe Guey, is considered the father of Chinese aviation. He wasn’t just a pilot; he was a designer, a builder, and a visionary.
Feng Ru’s journey began in Guangdong, China, but his life truly took flight in the United States. Inspired by the Wright brothers’ achievement, he immersed himself in the world of aviation. He translated everything he could find on the subject. He tirelessly studied the blueprints of other aviation pioneers like Glenn Curtiss and Henri Farman. With the backing of Chinese businessmen in California, he established the Guangdong Air Vehicle Company. He built his first plane in a small 10×8 foot shack, a testament to his resourcefulness and dedication.
His second plane, the Feng Ru No. 2, a biplane based on an improved Wright brothers’ design, made history in 1909. On the West Coast, Feng Ru became the first Chinese person, and the first person of any nationality, to successfully fly a plane. This flight, lasting roughly 20 minutes, ended abruptly when a propeller bolt snapped. Feng Ru fell 12 feet, thankfully only suffering minor bruises. This historic flight propelled him into the public eye, garnering him both admirers and detractors. He even hired a publicist, who embellished his story with tales of Oxford and Harvard education, adding to the mystique surrounding this pioneering aviator.
Feng Ru’s journey was fraught with challenges. He faced not only technical difficulties but also prejudice as a Chinese immigrant in a time of heightened anti-Chinese sentiment. He couldn’t even patent his inventions. He was fiercely protective of his designs. He even went to great lengths to keep them secret, having engine parts cast in different shops on the East Coast and assembling them himself. Despite setbacks, like a workshop fire caused by a plane crash, he persevered. He relocated his operations to an Oakland hayfield, continuing his work with unwavering focus.
Feng Ru’s accomplishments reached the ears of Sun Yat-sen, a key figure in the Chinese revolution. Sun Yat-sen recognized the potential of Feng Ru’s inventions and invited him back to China. Feng Ru answered the call, returning to his homeland with his planes in 1911. He joined Sun Yat-sen’s army and is believed to have flown the first-ever military mission in Chinese history. After the revolution, he became head of the newly formed Chinese air force and built the first aircraft manufactured in China. Tragically, his life was cut short in 1912 during a demonstration flight. He was buried with honors, his tombstone bearing the inscription, “Pioneer of Chinese Aviation.” Though his time was short, Feng Ru’s legacy looms large. His contributions to aviation laid the groundwork for China’s future in the skies.