Arthur David Beaty
Encyclopedia
Arthur David Beaty was a British writer, pilot and psychologist notable as a pioneer in the field of Human Factors
, now an integral branch of aviation medicine
, which he argued played a central role in aviation accidents attributed to pilot error
.
followed by Merton College, University of Oxford
where he read History and edited Cherwell
, a student newspaper. Whilst at Oxford the Second World War broke out prompting him to volunteer for pilot training with Oxford University Air Squadron
.
Following flying training, Beaty joined RAF Coastal Command flying the B-24 Liberator
. He completed four tours with 206 Squadron and won two Distinguished Flying Cross
es. During an attack on a U-boat
in the Baltic his aircraft was badly damaged, with a number of the control surfaces, including the rudder, being shot away. Beaty brought the aircraft back to base for a successful landing. Upon inspection, over 600 holes were counted were counted in the aircraft.
where he was posted to the carrier's flagship route across the North Atlantic. His flying career with BOAC was short-lived after he took up writing on a full-time basis.
to read psychology. Having completed the degree course in a single year, rather than the traditional three years, Beaty became a civil servant in 1967 before publishing his first non-fiction work, 'The Human Factor in Aircraft Accidents' in 1969. This was followed by 'The Water Jump: The Story of Transatlantic Flight' (1976), 'The Complete Skytraveller' (1979) and 'Strange Encounters: Mysteries of the Air' (1982), before he returned to the subject of his first non-fiction book in 'The Naked Pilot - The Human Factor in Aircraft Accidents' (1991). Finally 'Light Perpetual: Aviators' Memorial Windows' appeared in 1995.
His first book was met with considerable resistance, not least from a number of aviators, because it portrayed pilots as ordinary human beings, susceptible to errors and mistakes. However, Beaty's work resulted in further interest in the subject, which has now become an accepted part of flying training and is a compulsory module on many private and professional flying courses.
bought the rights to Beaty's novel Village of Stars but never produced the film. Another novel of Beaty's was produced as the film Cone of Silence
(1960) starring George Sanders
.
, West Sussex
. His wife, Betty Campbell Beaty, wrote his biography Winged Life in 2001.
Human factors
Human factors science or human factors technologies is a multidisciplinary field incorporating contributions from psychology, engineering, industrial design, statistics, operations research and anthropometry...
, now an integral branch of aviation medicine
Aviation medicine
Aviation medicine, also called flight medicine or aerospace medicine, is a preventive or occupational medicine in which the patients/subjects are pilots, aircrews, or persons involved in spaceflight...
, which he argued played a central role in aviation accidents attributed to pilot error
Pilot error
Pilot error is a term used to describe the cause of an accident involving an airworthy aircraft where the pilot is considered to be principally or partially responsible...
.
Early life
Beaty was born in Hatton, Ceylon on 28 March 1919, the son of a Methodist minister, and was educated at the prestigious Kingswood SchoolKingswood School
Kingswood School, referred to as 'Kingswood', is an independent day and boarding school located in Bath, Somerset, England. The school is coeducational and educates some 950 children aged 3 to 18. It is notable for being founded by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, in 1748...
followed by Merton College, University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
where he read History and edited Cherwell
Cherwell (newspaper)
Cherwell is an independent newspaper, largely published for students of Oxford University. First published in 1920, it has had an online edition since 1996. Named after the local river, Cherwell is published by OSPL , who also publish the sister publication ISIS along with the Etcetera Supplement...
, a student newspaper. Whilst at Oxford the Second World War broke out prompting him to volunteer for pilot training with Oxford University Air Squadron
University Air Squadron
University Air Squadrons are training units of the Royal Air Force which primarily provide basic flying training, force development and adventurous training to undergraduate students at British universities...
.
Early flying and Wartime Service
Beaty was initially rejected by the RAF pilot selection panel. Thanks largely to the support of his university tutors, he eventually passed selection and completed flying training, receiving a pilot grading of 'exceptional'.Following flying training, Beaty joined RAF Coastal Command flying the B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
. He completed four tours with 206 Squadron and won two Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
es. During an attack on a U-boat
U-boat
U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...
in the Baltic his aircraft was badly damaged, with a number of the control surfaces, including the rudder, being shot away. Beaty brought the aircraft back to base for a successful landing. Upon inspection, over 600 holes were counted were counted in the aircraft.
Civil Aviation
After the war, Beaty was offered a regular commission with the RAF. However, he turned down the opportunity and joined BOACBoac
Boac may refer to:* Boac, Marinduque, a municipality in the Southern Philippines* Boac , an American rapper* British Overseas Airways Corporation, a former British state-owned airline...
where he was posted to the carrier's flagship route across the North Atlantic. His flying career with BOAC was short-lived after he took up writing on a full-time basis.
Novels
Beaty wrote 20 novels starting at the end of his commercial flying career and continuing almost until his death. Flying has an important place in many of them. They are:- 'The Take Off' (1949)
- 'The Heart of the Storm' (1954)
- 'The Four Winds' (1955)
- 'The Proving Flight' (1956)
- 'Cone of Silence' (1959), also known as 'Trouble in the Sky'
- 'Call Me Captain' (1959)
- 'Village of Stars' (1960) (writing as Paul Stanton)
- 'The Wind Off The Sea' (1962)
- 'The Siren Song' (1964)
- 'Sword of Honour' (1965)
- 'The Gun Garden' (1965)
- 'The Temple Tree' (1971)
- 'Electric Train' (1975)
- 'Excellency' (1977)
- 'The White Sea Bird' (1979)
- 'Wings of the Morning' (1982) (with Betty Beaty)
- 'The Stick' (1984)
- 'The Blood Brothers' (1987)
- 'Eagles' (1990)
- 'The Ghosts of the Eighth Attack' (1998)
Non-Fiction Writing, Flight Safety and 'Human Factors'
Already an accomplished novelist, Beaty turned his attention to identifying the possible causes behind aviation accidents attributed to 'pilot error', enrolling at University College LondonUniversity College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
to read psychology. Having completed the degree course in a single year, rather than the traditional three years, Beaty became a civil servant in 1967 before publishing his first non-fiction work, 'The Human Factor in Aircraft Accidents' in 1969. This was followed by 'The Water Jump: The Story of Transatlantic Flight' (1976), 'The Complete Skytraveller' (1979) and 'Strange Encounters: Mysteries of the Air' (1982), before he returned to the subject of his first non-fiction book in 'The Naked Pilot - The Human Factor in Aircraft Accidents' (1991). Finally 'Light Perpetual: Aviators' Memorial Windows' appeared in 1995.
His first book was met with considerable resistance, not least from a number of aviators, because it portrayed pilots as ordinary human beings, susceptible to errors and mistakes. However, Beaty's work resulted in further interest in the subject, which has now become an accepted part of flying training and is a compulsory module on many private and professional flying courses.
Movies
In 1960, Alfred HitchcockAlfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
bought the rights to Beaty's novel Village of Stars but never produced the film. Another novel of Beaty's was produced as the film Cone of Silence
Cone of Silence (1960 film)
Cone of Silence is a film about the investigation into a series of crashes involving the fictional "Atlas Aviation Phoenix" jetliner. In the United States, the film was released under the title Trouble in the Sky...
(1960) starring George Sanders
George Sanders
George Sanders was a British actor.George Sanders may also refer to:*George Sanders , Victoria Cross recipient in World War I...
.
Death
Beaty died on 4 December 1999 in SlindonSlindon
Slindon is a small village and civil parish in the Arun District of West Sussex, England, nestling in woodlands on the southern edge of the South Downs. Slindon lies approximately seven miles north-east of Chichester...
, West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
. His wife, Betty Campbell Beaty, wrote his biography Winged Life in 2001.