Forward in Flight - December 2002

Volume 1, Issue 1 🗞️ Download Issue (PDF)

December 2002 WA H F F LY E R Q u a r t e r l y W i s c o n s i n N e w s l e t t e r o f t h e A v i a t i o n H a l l o f F a m e Photo by Jim Martin Weinkauf receives WAHF $1000 Scholarship 2002 WAHF Scholarship Winner Gil Weinkauf Inside this issue: Presidents Message 2 President Keith Glasshof reminds us what the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame is all about. Scholarship program Earl Pingel describes the WAHF scholarship program 2 Logging Time With... 3 An interview with Roy Shwery tells his lifelong love of aviation WAHF merchandise available New WAHF hats and pins make outstanding gifts 4 In this information age it comes as no surprise that the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame has its own website. Established in January 2001, the interesting and educational site has been constantly improving since then. WAHF webmaster John Dorcey said, “The site grows in content on an almost daily basis. Much of that content is not available anywhere else.” The website hosts a wealth of information about Wisconsin’s aviation history and those who made it. Think of the website as a valuable learning tool about the individuals who shaped flying into the way we know it today. www.aviationhalloffamewisconsin.com Retired from teaching high school auto mechanics and industrial arts, Gil Weinkauf said, “It was time for a change, time to fulfill my dreams.” The father of three is the first recipient of the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame’s $1000 scholarship. The award aids students enrolled in an aviation program at one of Wisconsin’s technical colleges. Weinkauf, a student in the aviation technician program, will graduate in May 2003 from Milwaukee Area Technical College. A Grafton, Wisconsin, resident, Weinkauf leaves early for the 30-mile drive through Milwaukee to MATC’s south campus, arriving to study before school begins. A part time job after school keeps the obviously driven Weinkauf on a hectic schedule, but his grades have not suffered. Weinkauf maintains at 3.98 GPA, and he also serves as a tutor to his fellow students. It’s a dream come true for Weinkauf to become involved in aviation. As a three year old boy in his hometown of Fairwater, WI., Weinkauf and his grandmother would go out to the fields to bring in the cows. One time, after a plane flew over, Weinkauf recalled telling his grandmother, ”Someday I’m going to get the cows in with an airplane.” At 16 years old, he got his first airplane ride in a Piper Cub, but learning to fly wasn’t in the picture at the time. In 1992 however, he got to ride along on a Young Eagles flight when he again got the bug to learn to fly. Weinkauf currently flies out of West Bend with his favorite passenger, wife Nancy. While Weinkauf said he always enjoyed teaching, Nancy said, “He also enjoys learning. He has an insatiable curiosity, he always needs to know what makes things tick.” Weinkauf smiled and agreed, “My first word as a baby wasn’t mama, it was why.” In his scholarship acceptance speech at the October 26 WAHF investiture ceremony at the EAA Museum in Oshkosh, WI., Weinkauf said, “The $1000 scholarship is a significant contribution to my education. It paid for my second quarter of books and fees.” He encouraged other students to apply for the scholarship and thanked the WAHF board for their selection. Ken Mishka, MATC instructor, said of Weinkauf, “He is one of our finest examples of future aviation technicians.” 2002 Investiture Ceremony October 26 The 2002 Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame Investiture Ceremony held at the EAA AirVenture Museum stood out as one of the most exciting in its history. Along with the presentation of the first $1000 scholarship, five Wisconsin aviators were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Joe Abernathy, former engineer with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Aeronautics; Richard Knutson, aircraft builder, restorer and mentor; and Earl Pingel, avi- ation educator. Pioneer recipients (those with significant aviation contributions before 1927) were Rellis Conant, a World War I combat pilot and barnstormer; and Rodney Williams, Wisconsin first combat ace. To learn more about the accomplishments of this year’s inductees, please see the hall of fame page on our website.

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Page 2 W A H F F L Y E R Presidents Message... By Keith Glasshof Since its inception nearly 16 years ago the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame has focused exclusively on its primary mission of collecting and preserving the history of aviation in the State of Wisconsin, recognizing those who made it and informing others of it. Keith Glasshof The organization is best known for its recognition of aviation pioneers. Each fall it honors select individuals through induction into the Hall of Fame. The inductees are the men and women who have made a significant contribution to aviation, a contribution that has impacted the course of aviation. To date, the organization has recognized 55 such pioneers – 55 men and women with a Wisconsin connection who have had a significant impact on the course of aviation. The list includes such aviation giants as: Billy Mitchell, war hero and air power visionary; Steve Wittman, arguably the world’s greatest air racer; Richard Bong, America’s air combat ace of aces; and Paul Poberezny, the founder of the Experimental Aircraft Association. There is another activity for which the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame is well recognized – that activity is the recording of the development of aviation in Wisconsin. That effort is best exemplified by the book Forward in Flight – The History of Aviation in Wisconsin. Published in 1998, the book sets forth the development of aviation in Wisconsin. It is a very thorough, very professional documentary of the key events that have shaped aviation. This year the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame has embarked on yet another activity in pursuit of its mission. At the investiture ceremony the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame presented its first scholarship award. The award is made to a technical college student enrolled in an aviation program deemed most likely to excel in the field of aviation. The organization believes that to support new exemplary entries into the field of aviation is to support a stronger, better future for aviation. To conclude, on your behalf, the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame will continue to collect and preserve the history of Wisconsin aviation and to recognize those exemplary aviators who make history. Also, we will support and encourage strong entries into the field of aviation. Growth Expected in WAHF Scholarship Program “It is hoped that within the next three years, the organization can award five $1000 scholarships to individuals in an aviation program,” Earl Pingel, WAHF The Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame has from its inception been an organization based on education. The board of directors recently developed a scholarship program that will further the Hall of Fame’s involvement in aviation education. According to Earl Pingel, Chairman of the Board, “A $1000 scholarship will be awarded annually to a student enrolled in an aviation program conducted at one of Wisconsin’s technical colleges.” Pingel also noted that the organization is working hard to increase funding of the scholarship program through donations from individuals, businesses and organizations. “It is hoped that within the next three years, the organization can achieve its ultimate goal, that of presenting five $1000 scholarships to individuals in an aviation program.” Pingel has spearheaded a drive to raise funds by talking with several organizations, in fact he believes in the program so much that he has generously contributed to it. The organization’s 501(c)3 tax exempt status provides a charitable contribution exemption for the contributor. The 2003 scholarship deadline is fast approaching. To learn more about the program, to make a donation, or to learn more about scholarship opportunities, please contact Keith Glasshof at 715-831-7502.

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Page 3 1992 WAHF Inductee Roy P. Shwery has been deeply involved in aviation since he soloed in Janesville, Wisconsin in 1939; he was 16 years old. In 1950 he received his Airline Transport Rating (ATP) and had, at that time, acquired all the fixed wing ratings available. He has also earned an A & P mechanic's certificate and accumulated about 28,000 hours of flight time. We caught up with Roy at a flight instructor refresher course last month in Oshkosh, WI. “Caught up with” is not an overstatement, this 79 year old pilot is still busy as a consultant and is actively flight instructing. The soft spoken Shwery, after 63 years of flying, still shows obvious enthusiasm in the world of aviation. His eyes twinkled when he recalled several events from his flying history. Below are excerpts from our conversations with a man known as a pioneer of the commuter airline industry: WAHF: Describe what it meant to you when you heard you were being inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame. SHWERY: “Well of course, I was surprised, it felt good. There are many distinguished people, I was honored.” WAHF: Tell us about your early flight experience. SHWERY: “I took lessons in Janesville and soloed when I was 16. I received my private license at 17, my first passenger was my mom. I don’t think she really wanted to go, but she was being a good mother.” His eyes sparkled as he recalled, “We flew from Janesville to Machesney Airport, north of Rockford (Illinois). My aunt lived there. That night (after the flight) she couldn’t sleep. She couldn’t believe she had been up there flying. ” WAHF: When did you begin instructing? SHWERY: “I graduated from high school in 1942 and started instructing for Howard Morey in his Civilian Pilot Training program. Later I went to Racine and instructed there.” WAHF: How did you get into the military? SHWERY: “The War Training Service (WTS) wouldn’t release any instructors until the military felt there were enough pilots, finally the WTS was disbanded and I enlisted in the Army Air Corps.” WAHF: What aircraft did you fly? SHWERY: “I flew bombers mostly, the B29 and B-17. I got my instrument rating in a B-17. That’s a long story but partial panel in a B-17…” WAHF: What did you do after you were discharged? SHWERY: “I went home to Janesville and began flying for Art Hodge and Joe Bozian at the Janesville City Airport. One day Joe told me about a CFI opportunity in Marshfield. The next day some PT-17 Stearman pilots stopped in for gas on their way to Marshfield and they asked if I was interested. I left for Marshfield shortly after that.” WAHF: Tell us about the early days of Midstate Airlines. SHWERY: “I was just hired by American Airlines when a Marshfield business came to me with an offer. They wanted to buy a corporate airplane and have me fly it for them. I turned down American and stayed in Marshfield. We had a Twin Beech available and people wanted to go to Chicago. We started with that one airplane and a co -pilot. My wife Lois made sandwiches for the crew and passengers. Readers Digest even mentioned that in a story about us. The route began with Marshfield to Wisconsin Rapids to Chicago and return that night. We did bookwork and light maintenance during the layover. Heavy maintenance was done on weekends. My brother Art, who flew 35 B-17 missions in England, joined me in Marshfield for a few years. He went back to Janesville and joined our father in his business.” WAHF: What keeps you flying after all these years? SHWERY: “Flying is a disease, you can’t get rid of it.” WAHF: Any closing thoughts? SHWERY: “Pilots should allow a margin of safety, not push the limits. They should always be learning and be careful.” To learn more about WAHF inductee Roy Shwery, please see the website’s hall of fame page. Photo by Rose Parmeter-Dorcey Logging Time With...Roy P Shwery Roy Shwery at a flight instructor refresher course November, 2002. In 1964, Shwery began one of the first commuter airlines, Midstate Airlines with one round trip daily from Marshfield to Wisconsin Rapids, Milwaukee and on to Chicago O'Hare with a return in the evening. from the WAHF website, Roy Shwery inductee page

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