caption laterwork branch death_date birth_place allegiance unit awards birth_date rank image article_title name
mario stoppani -lrb- left -rrb- made 15 first flights and set 41 aviation records aviation 20 september 1959 lovere , kingdom of italy italy 76a squadriglia , 3a squadriglia 2 russian cross of st. george , both a silver and silver a gold medal for aeronautical valor awards of medal for military valor , 24 may 1895 '' sergente '' mario stoppani pilotaggio.jpg mario stoppani
 mario stoppani
mario stoppani

`` sergente '' mario stoppani -lrb- 24 may 1895 -- 20 september 1959 -rrb- was a world war i flying ace credited with six aerial victories .
his valor earned him two silver awards of the medal for military valor and the russian cross of st. george during the world war i .
after the war , after a short spell as an aviation instructor , in 1927 stoppani began a long career as a test pilot and an extensive career setting aeronautical records .
he would continue as a test pilot throughout world war ii and beyond .
while associated with aeronautical designer filippo zappata , stoppani would make 15 first flights and set 41 aeronautical records , one of which still stands .
in the course of these feats , stoppani earned both a silver and a gold medal for aeronautical valor .
post world war ii , he worked for breda and siai marchetti .
