Wisconsin Aviation History

National Aviation Day

Long-time aviation advocate Jennings Randolph (D-WV) constantly pushed for programs to advance air travel and airport development. He sponsored the 1938 Civil Aeronautics Act. A year later, he spoke at the National Aviation Forum on February 20, 1939. His remarks, entitled Aviation and American Welfare included, “We must be alert to take every advantage of the air, to fill the heavens with pilots and with planes, to provide the factories and the technicians which we need, to inform our people of the myriad purposes which aeronautics may serve, to encourage them to use and to enjoy the benefits of flight.” 

Jennings convinced President Franklin Roosevelt to proclaim August 19 National Aviation Day. The date coincides with Orville Wright’s birthday. National Aviation Day – is a day where aviation is to be celebrated. Our National Aviation Day celebration includes recognizing those Wisconsin aviators who have been awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award or the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award.

Selected for the Master Pilot Award are:
William Bancroft, Poynette (05/2008) WAHF member/supporter
Gerald Beekman, Oconto (01/2005)
William Buettner, West Bend (09/2009)
Donald Burritt, La Crosse (01/2006)
Gene Chase, Oshkosh (03/2005)
George Cudahy, Anthony NM (10/2009) WAHF inductee
Daniel Donovan, Brookfield (08/2007) WAHF member/supporter
Walter Embke, Marshfield (10/2009)
Glenn Gauger, Delavan (04/2005)
David Harmon, Greendale (02/2008)
James Igou, West Bend (12/2007)
Vilas Krueger, Clintonville (02/2009)
David Lau, Oconomowoc (07/2008)
Donald Mosher, Neenah (02/2009) WAHF member/supporter
Wallace Partlow, Jr., Hayward (02/2008)
Charles Pollard, Tomah (10/2005) WAHF member/supporter
Roland Schable, Janesville (09/2006)
William Stoeckmann, Rock Springs (04/2006)
Wilmer Tews, Cascade (09/2006)
Gunter Voltz, Milwaukee (02/2008) WAHF inductee
William Wenkman, Wisconsin Dells (06/2005) WAHF member/supporter
Richard Wixom, Janesville (09/2005) WAHF inductee

Master Mechanic recipients include:
Gerhard Buettner, Oshkosh (unknown)
Robert Converse, Hager City (unknown)
Dean Crites, Waukesha (unknown) WAHF inductee
Walter Embke, Marshfield (10/2009)
William Frisbie, Hortonville (unknown)
Raymond Goss, West Bend (unknown)
Eugene Hackbarth, Milwaukee (unknown)
Bernard Harrington, Appleton (unknown)
Frank Holbus, Greendale (unknown)
James Igou, West Bend (unknown)
Glen Krohn, Brookfield (unknown)
Donald Mosher, Oshkosh (unknown) WAHF member/supporter
Donald Nelson, Knapp (unknown)
Edward Pietrzak, Greendale (unknown)
Richard Porter, Franklin (unknown)
Roy Reabe, Waupun (unknown) WAHF inductee
Bruce Rintlemann, Milwaukee (unknown)
Nick Quint, Janesville (4/2010)

Congratulations to these gentlemen who serve as a foundation for aviation as we know it.

Community Foundation Establishes Aviation Scholarships

The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin has established two aviation scholarship funds to benefit students pursuing aviation careers. The Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame (WAHF) recently established a scholarship fund within the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin after conducting a statewide search of foundations.

Rose Dorcey, president of WAHF, stated, “We found the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin to be an excellent candidate to partner with in this venture.” WAHF began its scholarship program in 2002. Dorcey continued, “We were impressed with the Foundation’s professional staff, administrative services, and the simplicity with which donors can contribute to the fund.”

Carl Guell

Currently, two scholarships are available:  The Carl Guell Memorial Scholarship and the Jerome Ripp Memorial Scholarship, for aviation students at one of the four technical colleges with aviation programs in Wisconsin. In addition to the WAHF fund, Jerome Thiessen, of Baraboo, Wisconsin, established a scholarship fund in his name. The fund will annually award a scholarship to deserving students in his honor. Thiessen said, “This scholarship is my small way to pass on my love for aviation. I hope that it will inspire others to give to the WAHF scholarship fund or perhaps create a scholarship fund in their own name.”

Archie C. Towle

The Community Foundation also administers the Archie C. Towle Aviation Endowment Fund. The fund, established in 1998, was developed to honor the memory of Archie C. Towle, who was instrumental in the early development of Wausau’s Alexander Municipal Airport—today’s Wausau Downtown Airport. This scholarship is designed to promote the advancement of aviation as a career. The fund annually awards scholarships to students living within a 50 mile radius of Wausau who demonstrate financial need, ability, and a desire to pursue a career in the field of aviation.

The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin is a nonprofit community corporation, created by and for the people of north central Wisconsin, and exists to enhance the quality of the greater Wausau area.

Who was first to fly the Pacific?

Today we celebrate the 83rd anniversary of the first trans-Pacific flight. The significance of many historic achievements is often lost when competing with current events. In this case, the crossing from San Francisco to Honolulu was overshadowed by the solo trans-Atlantic flight of Charles Lindbergh a month earlier.

The Fokker F.9 aircraft, designated C-2 by the US Army Air Corps, had been significantly modified at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio. Powered by three Wright J-5 Whirlwind engines, each developing 220 hp, the airplane cruised at 105 mph. The crew met with the press before their departure, this video clip is from a silent newsreel. Lt. Albert Hegenberger (navigator/pilot) is on the left, Lt. Lester Maitland (pilot) on the right. A second video shows the C-2 departing Oakland’s still under construction airport.

Maitland would land the large transport at 6:29 am on June 29, 1927 after flying 2,416 miles, all of it over water. Total flying time was 25 hours, 49 minutes. In addition to each being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the crew earned the Mackay Trophy for 1927. F. Trubee Davison, Assistant Secretary of War, said, “The flight is unquestionably one of the greatest aerial accomplishments ever made.”

The flight was described as a test flight of radio navigation equipment the Army had been developing for years. Hegenberger, an MIT graduate in aeronautical engineering, would spend his career advancing aviation technology.  Major General Hegenberger retired from the Air Force in 1949.

Maitland had a long and storied career in the military, retiring from the Michigan Air National Guard as a Brigadier General. He was director of aeronautics for both Wisconsin and Michigan. In 1956 he was ordained an Episcopal minister; he retired as rector emeritus.

Video footage courtesy the Prelinger Archives.

Wisconsin Aviation Conference 2010

The 55th annual Wisconsin Aviation Conference concluded today in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The conference attracted hundreds of aviation professionals – airport managers, staff, and commissioners, consulting engineers, suppliers, contractors, FBOs, pilots, and government officials. The multiple day event included 12 educational sessions, three association meetings, and a banquet presentation by Mark Van Tine, President and CEO of Jeppesen.

Recognizing the past and future of Wisconsin aviation has been an important part of each year’s conference. Scholarships have increased in importance with three awarded this year totaling $3000. Five individuals were recognized for their dedication, work ethic, and commitment in various aspects of the industry.

Distinguished Service Award

Clint Torp

Awarded since 2000, the award recognizes individuals for their long-term efforts in the industry or a successful special project. Clinton Torp, Assistant Airport Manager, La Crosse Municipal Airport, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is this year’s recipient. Clint was recognized for his work on the WAMA website and online conference registration. Clint is a 2005 graduate of the University of North Dakota and is working on his MBA at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.

Blue Light Award

Fred Beseler

The Blue Light Award recognizes people in the media industry for their reporting efforts regarding the state’s aviation industry. Fred Beseler has been an aviation writer since 1981, when he wrote a two-page feature on EAA AirVenture for the La Crosse Tribune. For the past three years, Fred has been a regular contributor to Forward in Flight, the magazine of the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame (WAHF). Fred joins two other WAHF writers, Gary Dikkers and Rose Dorcey, who have earned the Blue Light Award.

Engineer of the Year

Dave Jensen, WAMA (left) Mark Polier

The conference has been recognizing the work of engineers since 1983. This year’s recipient, Mark Porlier of Clark Dietz, Incorporated, has worked on projects at more than 20 Wisconsin airports over the years. Mark’s recent work at the Lakeland/Noble Lee Memorial Airport earned him this year’s award. Redesigning the airport’s non-airside lighting systems, taking advantage of LED lighting, instant-on motion controls, and other technology advancements will reduce the airport’s electrical consumption by 83%. The Lakeland project recently earned an American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) award.

Aviation Person of the Year

Rose Dorcey with John Reed, WAMA

This is the longest running of the awards presented as part of the Wisconsin Aviation Conference. Beginning in 1969, Wisconsin aviation notables including nine inductees to the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame have earned this recognition. Rose Dorcey is the 2010 Wisconsin Aviation Person of the Year. A nomination for Rose read, in part, “Wisconsin has been a leader in aviation and the centennial celebration told the story. That story would not have been heard if not for Rose Dorcey’s commitment, enthusiasm, and leadership.”

Lifetime Service Award
C. Barry Bateman has been the airport director at Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport since September 1982. He has overseen numerous major airport improvement projects and hundreds of small ones. One project that grew from an early vision - the development of an aviation museum, has become a model for other airports. The Mitchell Gallery of Flight is located near Concourse C in the airport’s terminal. Barry has provided numerous internships and has partnered with the Wisconsin DOT’s Bureau of Aeronautics and its Aviation Careers Education program. Bateman also serves as manager of Milwaukee’s Lawrence J.Timmerman Airport.

The 2011 Wisconsin Aviation Conference – the 56th annual conference - will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin’s, Sierra Hotel. The conference begins May 2 and concludes May 4, 2011. Additional information will be available through the Wisconsin Airport Management Association.

Fred Ascani, Wisconsin native, pilot

The challenge of being a student of Wisconsin’s aviation history is realizing just how deep that history is. Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame (WAHF) speakers are approached following every presentation. More times than not, the question people ask is, “Do you know about _________?” (Fill in the blank with any aviator’s name.) Such is the case with a recent obituary from the New York Times. An attached sticky note read, “Do you know of this guy?” My answer, no, led to some research time and, with apologies to Paul Harvey, here is the rest of the story.

 Alfredo John Ascani was born in Beloit, Wisconsin on May 29, 1917. The family moved to nearby Rockford, Illinois where Fred graduated from high school in 1935. He returned to Beloit, attending Beloit College for two years until he was accepted at West Point. Ascani graduated 24th of 424 members of his 1941 academy class. He immediately entered pilot training.

Ascani was test pilot on the Northrup X-4

Following flight school and assignment as a flight instructor, target-tow pilot, and commander of a flight training squadron, then Major Fred Ascani served as squadron commander of the 816^th Bomb Squadron flying B-17s out of Italy. Fred flew 53 combat missions before returning stateside.

Ascani served as Colonel Albert G. Boyd’s executive officer while at the Flight Test Division in Dayton, OH. Boyd would become known as the “father of modern flight test.” In 1950, Ascani moved to Edwards Air Force Base where he served as Director of Experimental Flight Test and Engineering. He was later promoted to the first Vice Commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC).

In July, 1951 then Colonel Ascani earned the Thompson and Mackay trophies by setting a new speed record. Fred was flying a North American F-86E, Sabre at an average speed of 635.68 mph.  Other assignments and promotions followed including System Program Director for the XB-70 Valkyrie. Ascani retired from the Air Force August 1, 1973 as a Major General.

Ascani biography Mentor Inbound

General  Ascani died March 28, 2010. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in June. Mentor Inbound by Sheryl Hutchinson is the General’s biography.

They keep going and going

Members of Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 60 Beloit/Janesville bring to mind the Energizer Bunny. They keep going and going and going. Yesterday, ten of them met at the Beloit Historical Society’s Lincoln Center to install a one-quarter scale model of the Warner-Curtiss aircraft. This effort is the culmination of more than 12 months of work and dedication to Wisconsin’s Centennial of Flight. A more accurate reference to these gentlemen is – they keep doing and doing and doing.

Final adjustment to Warner-Curtiss exhibit

Arthur Pratt Warner was already a successful engineer and businessman from Beloit, Wisconsin, when he attended the Auto Club of America’s 1906 event in New York. An aviation exhibit turned curiosity into passion. Warner became the first individual to buy an airplane and the sixth person to fly in this country in 1909. The Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame (WAHF) sponsored the Wisconsin Centennial of Flight celebration. The celebration’s centerpiece was the quarter-scale model of Warner’s airplane constructed for WAHF by EAA Chapter 60.

The centennial culminated in Beloit on November 4, 2009. The day’s events concluded with the model being placed into long-term loan with the Beloit Historical Society. The exhibit has been under construction since that time. WAHF representatives Tom Thomas and Wynne Williams were on hand to lend moral support to Chapter 60 members. A news crew from Janesville radio station WCLO (1230 AM) were also on hand and filed this report.

Warner-Curtiss exhibit, Beloit Historical Society

Review earlier blog posts to learn about the Warner-Curtiss model, the craftsmen who built it, some of the locations the centennial exhibit visited, and the concluding ceremony at Beloit’s Morgan Elementary School. Visit EAA Chapter 60’s website for their story on building the Warner-Curtiss model. Thanks guys! Your skills, dedication, and generosity know no bounds – you just keep on doing and doing.

Happy Birthday Billy

William L. “Billy” Mitchell was born 130 years ago today in Nice, France.  Mitchell was inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame (WAHF) in 1986.

Mitchell began his military career as a private in the First Wisconsin Infantry. He soon became an officer and later transferred to the US Army’s Signal Corps. Billy learned to fly in 1916 at the Atlantic Coast Aeronautical Station in New Port News, VA. WAHF inductee Walter Lees provided Mitchell, now a major, some of his flight instruction and later soloed Mitchell. That first flight did not end well for the new pilot; the aircraft came to rest inverted at the end of the landing roll.

Colonel Billy Mitchell, DH4B

Assigned as an aviation observer, Mitchell arrived in Europe during April 1917. He became the first American officer to fly over the French battlefields. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in June 1917 and served in the AEF.

Promoted to colonel in May 1918, he assumed command of the Air Service, First Army Corps. This position gave him opportunity to fly, command, and learn air combat firsthand. Major General Mason Patrick, Air Service Commander, described Mitchell as “aggressive, courageous, and fearless.”

Colonel Billy Mitchell would lead the 1500-aircraft bombing raid against the Saint-Mihiel salient in September 1918. Promoted to brigadier general, Mitchell took command of all allied air forces in time for the Meuse-Argonne offensive in October.

While serving in Europe, Mitchell discussed the future of airpower with Hugh Trenchard of England and Italy’s Giulio Douhet. These discussions would serve as the foundation of Mitchell’s plan for a separate US air force. This air force would, in Mitchell’s vision, win the next war, single-handedly.

Speaking tour advertisement

Mitchell’s downfall was not his message but in his method. Today, Billy Mitchell is considered the father of modern airpower.

We suggest the following for further research:

http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/mitchell/front.pdf

A Question of Loyalty by Douglas Waller

Celebrating a Century of Flight in Wisconsin

While firsts happen every day, becoming the first to fly an airplane in a state, while making your first solo on that same flight, is noteworthy. Being the first person to buy an airplane and the 11th person to fly in this country makes the story even more remarkable.  All that happened on November 4, 1909 in Beloit, Wisconsin.

Those aviation firsts are just some of the many firsts that Arthur Pratt Warner  experienced during his long and storied life. Those firsts, the man, and the 100-years of Wisconsin aviation history since are what the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame (WAHF) will be celebrating in Beloit during the next few days.

Warner-Curtiss model and Centennial of Flight display

Commemoration of Warner’s flight begins at 9:00 AM at the Morgan Elementary School, 1811 Lee Lane (adjacent to Highway 81), on Beloit’s east side. The school sits on the original Morgan farm, site of Warner’s first flights. Weather allowing, festivities include a reenactment of Warner’s flight and a flyover by Wisconsin Air National Guard aircraft. A one-quarter scale replica of Warner’s aircraft and a Centennial of Flight display will be available for public viewing in the school’s gymnasium until 1:00 PM.

Wednesday festivities continue at the Beloit Historical Society’s Lincoln Center, 845 Hackett Street, at 5:00 PM. Wisconsin historian and WAHF board member Michael Goc will present “AP Warner, an Appreciation.” WAHF will then present the Warner-Curtiss model, on long-term loan, to the Beloit Historical Society. Recognition of EAA Chapter 60 Beloit-Janesville, builders of the model, will follow. Refreshments available following the presentations.

Smithsonian Senior Curator, Dr. Tom Crouch, will present “Aviation in 1909 and Wisconsin’s AP Warner” on Saturday, November 7. The presentation will take place in Eaton Chapel on the Beloit College campus beginning at 3:00 PM. A reception will follow the presentation.

There is no charge for these events and the public is encouraged to participate.

WAHF Induction ceremony update

A recently announced addition to the agenda of the 24th annual induction ceremony of the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame (WAHF) makes the event a “must do”. The ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, October 17 at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA’s) AirVenture museum located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. 

Yesterday, WAHF announced that Jeff Skiles, Wisconsin native and US Airways co-pilot, will receive the Wisconsin Airport Management Association’s Person of the Year Award during the ceremony. You may recall that Skiles and Captain Chesley Sullenberger successfully ditched their Airbus 320 in the Hudson River on January 15, 2009.  Read the WAHF press release for the full story.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony. The invitation can be printed, completed, and mailed to the enclosed address to secure your seat. But hurry; reservations accepted until October 10.

2008 WAHF Induction Ceremony

What’s in a name?

Last week the Waukesha Freeman editorial staff suggested renaming the Waukesha County Airport as a way to honor Waukesha native Les Paul. The August 26 article states: “Crites Field could be renamed Les Paul International Airport. Rock stars might fly in here just to land their private jets at a really cool airport.” Folks involved in Wisconsin aviation already consider Waukesha airport as “really cool” and that its name – Crites Field – is most appropriate. The idea does lead one to ponder Wisconsin’s airports and their names.

Today there are 133 public-use airports in Wisconsin – 97 are publically owned and 36 are privately owned. There are another 437 privately owned facilities that are restricted use. You can search the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Master Record database.

Names of the publically owned facilities typically reflect their owners or location. Wisconsin has 35 airports with municipal in their name, 16 that have county in their name, and 19 with a general location name. Regional is in the name of 10 Wisconsin airports. The 17 remaining airports have names of historic interest.

Alexander Field South Wood County Airport is better known as Wisconsin Rapids. John Alexander donated land for the airport and is remembered for the gift. Lawrence J. Timmerman was Chairman of the Milwaukee County Board for 33 years. Upon his death in 1959, the Curtiss-Wright Airport was renamed in his honor. The Brown County Airport is named for Austin Straubel, the first military aviator from Green Bay to lose his life in World War II. Middleton Municipal is also known as Morey Field after Howard Morey, the airport’s founder. Richard I. Bong Field in Superior is named for “Ace of Aces” Dick Bong. Hillsboro’s airport is named after Joshua Sanford, a Native American who flew in Chennault’s 14^th Air Force. General Mitchell International Airport is named after Milwaukeean General Billy Mitchell. The Lakeland-area airport is also known as Noble F Lee Memorial. Lee was a pilot, flight instructor, and longtime airport manager.

It is the private airports where we find some interesting, creative names. Wisconsin is known for its beer so we shouldn’t be surprised to find Beer Airport in St. Croix County. Too many beers and it is said you have gone on a Bender – an airport in Marathon County.

Aircraft related names abound – Funk Aerodrome (Kewaunee), J-3 Cub Field (Jefferson), Plows and Props (Walworth), Rag Wing (Langlade), Wag-Aero (Walworth), Weedhopper Meadow (Walworth), and finally, Broken Prop (Waushara), hopefully not named for some pilot’s misfortune.

Wisconsin’s natural resources are reflected in a number of airport names – Bark River (Waukesha), Battle Creek (Waukesha), Eagle Ridge (Dunn), Blair Lake (Iron), Bogus Creek (Pepin), Black Otter (Outagamie), and Lake Ell (Portage).

While Able doesn’t have an airport in Wisconsin, Cain’s Field is (Oconto). Don’t land poorly at Heckler’s Strip (Dane) – you’ll probably hear about it. Larson Airport (Winnebago) is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Finally, my favorites – Bucky’s (Waushara), Dinnerbell (Fond du Lac), Kitty Wompus (Sawyer), Mount Fuji (Walworth), Polish Paradise (Adams), Uff-da (Dane), Will-be-gon (Washburn), Whoopy Hollow (Lafayette), and With-Wings-and-a-Halo (Winnebago).

 There is much in an airport’s name – history, pride, creativity, and some humor. The Waukesha County Airport is named after two brothers – Dean and Dale Crites, who made an enormous impact on Wisconsin aviation. Changing the name to salute Les Paul, or anyone else, would be a mistake.