Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Roland Garros (aviator)

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 22, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Roland Garros (aviator) made an impact.

Eugène Adrien Roland Georges Garros was a pioneering French aviator and fighter pilot. He achieved early aviation milestones, including the first airplane crossing of the Mediterranean Sea. During World War I, he served as a fighter pilot in the French army but was shot down and killed in 1918. Posthumously, he is most remembered for having the Roland Garros tennis stadium named in his honor in 1928; the stadium is where the French Open is held, which also bears the name, Roland Garros.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1909: Aviation Career Begins

In 1909, Garros started his aviation career flying a Demoiselle monoplane.

1909: Garros begins aviation career

In 1909, Roland Garros began his career in aviation.

July 1910: Garros gains Ae.C.F. licence no. 147

In July 1910, Garros gained Ae.C.F. licence no. 147.

September 1911: Altitude Record Set

In September 1911, Garros set an altitude record of 3,950 m (12,960 ft).

1911: Flying Bleriot XI Monoplanes

In 1911, Garros graduated to flying Blériot XI monoplanes and entered air races.

September 1912: Garros regains height record

In September 1912, Garros regained the height record by flying to 5,610 m (18,410 ft).

1913: First Airplane Crossing of the Mediterranean Sea

In 1913, Garros accomplished the first-ever airplane crossing of the Mediterranean Sea.

1913: First Non-Stop Flight Across the Mediterranean Sea

In 1913, Garros gained fame for making the first non-stop flight across the Mediterranean Sea in a Morane-Saulnier G, commencing the flight on September 23.

April 1914: Saulnier patents synchroniser

By April 14 1914, Raymond Saulnier had taken out a patent for a workable synchroniser for machine guns on planes.

December 1914: Discussion at Morane-Saulnier Works

In December 1914, Garros visited the Morane-Saulnier works to discuss the problem of mounting a forward-firing machine gun on combat aircraft.

April 1915: First Shooting-Down of an Aircraft

On April 1, 1915, Garros achieved the first shooting-down of an aircraft by a fighter firing through a tractor propeller, with two more victories on April 15 and 18.