He paved way for Bengaluru's first engineering college, built warplanes, and dreamt of an Indian aircraft in 1913: The lost legacy of S.V. Setty

In the early 20th century, when aviation was still in its fragile infancy, a man from Mysore quietly made history in the skies above England. Sriram Venkatasubba Setty—known more simply as S.V. Setty—was not just the first Indian aviator, but also the designer behind one of the most iconic aircrafts of World War I: the Avro 504. Yet, in a twist steeped in irony and loss, the man who helped Britain fly into the future was never allowed to build a plane in his own homeland.

From Mysore to the Skies of England
Born on December 28, 1879, in a modest household in Mysore, Setty’s early life bore few signs of the aviation pioneer he would become. He pursued a Bachelor of Arts at Maharaja’s College and later enrolled in the engineering college at Guindy. His journey took him through Thomason College and finally to Roorkee, where he completed his engineering degree. Initially serving as an Assistant Engineer in the Mysore Public Works Department, Setty’s life took a dramatic turn when he earned a scholarship to Faraday House in London for a diploma in electrical engineering.

But he had other dreams too—dreams of flying. Defying family opposition and without the support of the Mysore state for his growing interest in aeronautics, Setty chose to remain in England. In May 1911, he joined A.V. Roe and Company (Avro), then the only British firm dedicated to building aircraft.

A Designer, A Pilot, A Pioneer
Setty did not enter Avro as a passive learner. He flew, he tested, and above all, he designed. His test flights in early prototypes, including the Avro D, were often risky—once even resulting in a crash from which he miraculously walked away unscathed. Rather than retreat, he improved the design. In March 1912, he successfully flew his new aircraft. The event was witnessed by the famed Australian aviator John Duigan, who was so impressed that he purchased the plane on the spot.

This aircraft would go on to inspire the Avro E, which in turn laid the foundation for the Avro 500. The Avro 500 ultimately led to the Avro 504, a plane that would redefine aviation. It became the world’s first trainer aircraft and the first to bomb Germany in World War I. Over 10,000 units were produced between 1913 and 1932, making it one of the most widely used aircraft of its time.

Setty's contribution was formally acknowledged by Avro. In a certificate dated March 12, 1912, the company wrote that Setty “has become very efficient in the tuning up of aeroplanes and engines... we now consider him to have had sufficient experience to be left in entire charge of the erection of a machine of any type.” He was awarded a gold medal for General Proficiency in Aeronautics, inscribed with the image of an Avro E. Shortly after, he returned to India in June 1912.

Building Engineers, But Not Aircraft
Back in Bangalore, Setty continued to break ground—this time in education. In 1913, he was appointed the superintendent of a new technical school in the city, which later evolved into the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE), Karnataka’s first engineering college. As its founder professor, he trained a new generation of Indian engineers.

But Setty still dreamed of building an Indian aircraft. Despite his credentials and vision, permission was denied. The reasons were never made public, but they reflected a broader indifference toward indigenous technological ambition under colonial rule.

A Life and Legacy Lost Too Soon
Tragically, Setty’s brilliant life was cut short. In 1918, an influenza epidemic swept through Bangalore, killing nearly a fifth of its residents. Among the dead were Setty, his wife, and one of their four daughters. He was just 38 years old.

Adding to the loss, in 1959, a fire at Avro’s Chadderton plant destroyed much of the company's early documentation—including records of Setty’s pioneering contributions. Today, only scattered references in aviation journals like Flight, the official organ of the Aero Club of the UK, bear witness to his flights and designs.

S.V. Setty’s story is one of soaring ambition and grounded frustration. He helped Britain conquer the skies in wartime, yet his dream to see India build and fly its own aircraft remained unfulfilled. His tale, resurrected through sparse archives and aviation enthusiasts, stands as a reminder of India’s forgotten pioneers—those who dreamed big when the sky wasn’t even considered the limit.