WAHF Flyer June 2003

June 2003 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 Announcing our 2003 Hall of Fame Inductees The Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame is proud to announce our 2003 Inductees. Congratulations to Lt. Col. Robert J. Goebel, Charles M. Wood, Archie Towle and Marie Schuette. Pioneer Inductees are Thomas F. Hamilton and Melvin J. Thompson. Thompson, who started flying in 1918, was the personal pilot of Governor Walter Kohler. He was an FBO manager at both the Kohler and New Holstein airports. Hamilton founded the Hamilton Aero Mfg. Company in 1910, and the Hamilton Metal Plane Co. in Milwaukee in 1927. On the Road...100 years of WI Aviation History Inside this issue… President’s Message Wisconsin aviation pioneers keep Wright dream alive Charles Wood helped establish the Eau Claire Airport, was a WWII instructor pilot, and he built a primary glider in 1932. Lt. Col. Goebel is a WWII Double Ace and wrote a book on his WWII experiences flying P-51 Mustangs. Father/daughter inductees Towle and Schuette will be honored for their dedication to and promotion of aviation, including early barnstorming, flight instruction, Wausau airport management, and state aviation committee participation. The induction banquet will be held Oct. 25 at the EAA AirVenture Museum. 2 The WI DOT Bureau of Aeronautics, in consin’s future in aerospace science, partnership with the Wisconsin Aviation design and technology. Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Wing of The WAHF provided photos and histori’03 Investiture Ceremony 2 the Civil Air Patrol, have created a display cal information from their extensive New events promise an in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of archive collection, while the CAP is exciting evening Flight. The display, Wisconsin Celebrates providing transportation of the display to various Wisconsin airports Membership Drive Reminder 2 the Centennial of Powered Flight, highlights the achievethrough 2003. After 2003, Recruit Members! Win Prizes! ments of the many Wisconsin the display will be made Logging Time With… 3 pioneers of flight. available for use by all other WAHF Inductee Paul Poberezny According to Karen Valley, interested airports in the WI Aviation Conference 6 Aviation Education Consultant state. The display made its WisDOT Secretary honored with the bureau, “The display debut at the 2003 Wisconsin by WAHF will be used at a variety of Aviation Conference on Looking for a great… 6 airports around the state and March 31. Committee memBook, speaker, or poster? will bers were on hand to generLogo courtesy WI Bureau of Aeronautics be marketed to several ate publicity for the WisconWISCONSIN schools. The program is designed to sin Aviation Hall of Fame and to share AVIATION HALL OF FAME provide the public and students with a the rich history of Wisconsin aviators. MISSION STATEMENT To collect and preserve the history of wide range of aviation exploration experi- Membership materials were also distributaviation in Wisconsin, ences. The focus of this activity is on avi- ed to interested attendees. “The display recognize those who made ation careers, aviation history, and the is an excellent example of the tradition of that history, inform others of it, impact of aviation/aerospace on our the Aeronautics Bureau’s support for the and promote aviation education for future generations. everyday lives.” aviation history of Wisconsin,” said Consisting of a week-long display trav- WAHF board member Michael Goc. “The SEND NEWSLETTER COMMENTS TO: eling to approximately 25 state airports display created much interest in our WAHF FLYER from April thru December 2003, the state’s important contributions to avia8550 GREENWAY BLVD #405 display is being funded by the Wisconsin tion and in our organization.” MIDDLETON WI 53562-4724 flyer@aviationhalloffamewisconsin.com Space Grant Consortium, a NASA funded See the display on the WAHF website: organization. The purpose of the Consor- www.aviationhalloffamewisconsin.com tium is to coordinate and improve Wis-

PAGE 2 W A H F F L Y E R President’s Message… By Keith Glasshof December 17th 1903, 10:35 hours Kitty Hawk, North Carolina Keith Glasshof Check the February/ March ’03 issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine for a report & photo on the October ’02 WAHF Investiture Ceremony. For a successful Silent Auction, we need your help! It was at that time and that place that the course of history was to be irreversibly altered. It was then and there that the Wright Brothers accomplished the first flight of a heavier-than-air powered craft. The feat lasted a mere 12 seconds and covered a distance of 120 feet. While at the time the physical achievement may have seemed trivial; in fact the technical achievement was to turn the course of history. The achievement both broke the ties that bound humankind to the surface of the earth and, at the same time, fulfilled one of humankind’s oldest, most deep-seated dreams: to fly. A century later, aviation has experienced 100 years of extraordinary development. It has overturned existing notions of time and distance, even overturned notions of the possible versus the impossible. It has shrunk the gaps between continents, and it has expanded the range of routine travel to cover the entire globe. It has rewarded humankind with untold technologic advances. That December event rewarded the perseverance, the courage, and the innovation of all pioneers of flight. Since that December day, there have been many pioneers that have perpetuated the initiative of the Wright Brothers. Many of those pioneers had roots in Wisconsin. The mission of the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame is to collect and preserve the history of aviation in Wisconsin, to recognize those who made that history, and to inform others of it. Under Michael Goc’s direction, the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame designed and produced a poster that does just that, informs and educates people of the achievements of our many Wisconsin aviation pioneers. Titled, A Century of Aviation in Wisconsin, the colorful poster was a hit with the participants who received one at the Wisconsin Aviation Conference. You have received a folded poster with this newsletter. Please consider purchasing another in a rolled or laminated format, as merchandise sales support our operating fund and our educational programs. Framed or laminated, the poster will make a great addition to your office, den, shop, hangar or FBO lounge. As a WAHF member, you are helping future generations become educated on the important significance of Wisconsin’s aviators. Thank you for your support. New events at ’03 Banquet Membership Drive Update Mark this date on your calendars and make plans to be in Oshkosh on October 25, 2003. It’s a night to celebrate and to WAHF members are honor our new (and past) inductees. The encouraged to get involved WAHF Board of Directors has gone to extra by requesting donations or effort in this Centennial year to make sure by making one yourself! that this year’s event will be the best ever. Those who donate to this While much remains the same, some excitworthwhile cause will be ing new twists have been added to enhance acknowledged in our awards program and on the evening’s ceremonies. our website. A “Short Silent Auction” will take place To make a tax-deductible from 5:00-6:30, with proceeds benefiting our scholarship program. A variety of quality cash or merchandise donation or to learn more, items will be “on the block”. please contact: A special “Meet the Inductees” session Rose Dorcey will take place during the social hour from 608-836-9840 5:00-6:30. Come to meet the distinguished individuals who have made their mark on aviation. More details to follow. With your help and just four months remaining, the WAHF “100 for 100” Membership Drive is on its way to reaching its goal of 100 new members in 2003. As of June 1, thirty-one new members have joined the organization. But don’t stop now, keep recruiting those members! As announced in our March ‘03 WAHF FLYER, the Membership Drive Contest will conduct a prize drawing for both new members and those who recruit them. A grand prize will be awarded to the person who recruits the most new members, but all recruiters with at least one new member will be eligible for prizes in our drawing. New members who sign up during 2003 will also be eligible for prizes in a separate drawing. Winners will be announced at the October Banquet. An application is enclosed.

Page 3 Logging Time With… Paul Poberezny Looking a bit tired but relaxed in denim jeans and shirt, Paul Poberezny walks into the lobby of the EAA AirVenture Museum, greets us warmly and says that he’s in the doghouse with Audrey. Both recovering from colds, Audrey woke up during the previous night to find Paul “overmedicating” himself on cough syrup. Sheepishly he says, “I don’t think she’s real happy with me right now.” The comment was just one of many references Paul made to his wife and family during the four hours we spent with him in April. Certainly, when Paul Poberezny talks about the history of EAA, Audrey’s name will be there, but he doesn’t forget the names of others who helped build EAA to where it is today. If you’ve heard Paul speak, or read anything he’s written, you’ve probably heard him say that due to his founding of the EAA back in 1953, he’s made a million - a million friends, that is. It’s not just a cliché, the walls of his private museum at his home in Oshkosh are lined with hundreds of framed photographs of the friends he’s made along the way. Shelves are filled with nearly 150 photo albums, along with an assortment of antique airplane parts, trophies, awards, but here and there, too, you’ll find a surprise. A Cabbage Patch doll that belonged to a granddaughter, plants once near death now flourishing under Paul’s watchful eye (and a grow light given to him by a friend), and the old typewriter where Audrey typed the first 25-30 membership cards during EAA’s formative years. With son Tom’s capable hands now at the helm, Paul is not as involved with EAA as he once was. As Paul says, “I’m not so much in management, I’m more of a ‘watchdog’ now.” Paul is keeping busy though, with an organization of his own, the Sport Aviation Association. Meant as a grass-roots organization, one that promotes the talents and freedoms to build, restore, and fly aircraft; SAA is over 2000 members strong. In this interview you’ll find that Paul is keeping busy with a number of projects in addition to the SAA. You’ll learn that when Paul says, “If you don’t love people, they won’t follow you,” it’s not just words, it’s his philosophy. You’ll find too, that life is good for this aviation pioneer. What plans do you have for the summer? When we leave here, follow me down, I’ll show you my little office and property - that will tell you what I’m doing this summer, and last summer, (chuckle) and the summer before that. All the land, the grass cutting and manicuring. The hardest thing to do is to cut grass and do it properly. I’ve got four mowers, John Deere’s, and I enjoy doing it. (Pause) I’m going to the (National Aviation) Hall of Fame; they’re getting as many members that are still alive together for a reunion in Dayton, so Audrey and I will go to that. I’ve been involved with the Reno Air Races for 36 years, this year I’ll be a Grand Marshall. I’m invited to speak to 400 retired TWA airline pilots and their spouses while I’m in Reno. June 28 I’m talking to a group in Cincinnati, most are pilots. Then I always go to the Ottumwa Antique Show, kind of a down-to-earth thing. I would like to make one more trip out to Montana on my Harley. You’ve received many awards, most recently the Wright Memorial Award, you’ve been inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, but what means the most to you? (Pauses, taking a deep breath) Being able to share my love of aviation and people. Do you have any advice for people contemplating their careers? I’ve said it before, if you don’t love people, they won’t follow you. I see it in management positions, people won’t follow because they’re cold, straight ahead, not open to suggestions, or not close enough to the people to listen to them. I have a secretary, she does cleaning and painting, been here about 12 years. I called her and told her why I haven’t been to the office. I said, “I just want you to know how much I care for you, because you’re always there. You make sure everything is wonderful.” And I said, “Why do you do all that?” A lot of the fellows here, too, they’ll come and help me on their own, at home. She said, “Because we love you.” It kind of makes you want to cry at times. You can be a good guy. Everybody likes a good guy for a leader, and when the s-*-*-* hits the fan, they want a leader. (continued on insert pages 4 & 5) Paul Poberezny

Page 4 Logging Time with… Paul Poberezny, continued (continued from page 3) Rose Dorcey with Paul Poberezny, April 2003. In the background are just a few of the photos & mementos in Paul’s extensive collection. For more information on the Sport Aviation Association, check their website at: www.sportaviation.org What projects are you working on right now? I’ve got six or seven airplane projects under construction. All of us volunteers, we get together for teaching, having fun and enjoying working with hand and mind. I formed another organization, called the Sport Aviation Association, back in 1970. The idea was put to pasture, but then in 1998 Jimmy Lewert from Ocala, Texas asked me what I was ever going to do with it. I told him I didn’t know if I would ever do anything with it. Then Jimmy said, “Well, here’s $20, I want to be member number one.” His son said, “I want to be member number two.” We had a board of directors meeting and we ended up with about 18 members. By 1999, we had about 770 people who joined, it was all word of mouth. So I put out a little newsletter and a little magazine, on a quarterly basis. Then I didn’t know if I wanted to be obligated to a dues paying member, so I got together with my board, which was Audrey, my daughter Bonnie, Bob Lumley and a couple of others and I said maybe I would consider it if it was on a donation basis, church work, if a person can’t afford it, they will be a member anyway. We decided to do that, and thus far, it’s been doing very well. We have about 21, 23, 24 - hundred members; we have a website. We could do a lot more if we wanted to, but I have to be practical at this time in my life about how much I can spend. Our publication, we don’t carry advertising, it’s all airplane stuff stories and tips. Our fly-in, we’re going to have our second one at Urbana, Illinois and the turn out looks great. No air show, no commercial exhibits. That’s coming up June 13, 14, and 15. Anyone that’s interested can join. (Smiles) It’s a lot of work for us, but it’s nice. There’s a nice building and I was able to scrounge up a lot of donations of tables and chairs. We had a steak fry last year, and we’ll have it this year. One of my members owns Nebraska Beef, and he offered, he’s again supplying all the steaks. We’ll have brats and sloppy-joe’s during the day. It’s real family-like. Tell us about the Fergus Chapel on the EAA grounds and what it means to you. How did the chapel come about? I go in, and ring the bell. I talk to the people who used to be with us, I play the organ. I read the bible, various sections, and preach it over the radio. (Laughs) Audrey said, “That’s out, don’t do that anymore.” It goes back to when we were going to build a facility at Burlington. We’re not overly religious or anything, but I always did like something like that. And, way back, my dad, out of old brick when they tore down St. Matthias, built a little chapel in our backyard. We lived out in the sticks then, it was called Ghost Alley, a Catholic cemetery in our backyard, across the street, down a little bit was a Jewish one. I always thought it was kind of neat. When we planned on going to Burlington to build our headquarters there, the church was going to serve also as a board of directors meeting place. During this time, when still at Hales Corners, someone called me and told me that a church up near Cassville, Wisconsin has got a bunch of pews and they’re available to anyone who wants them, so I got a hold of the young preacher-they had built a new church. So went up there with a big truck and he helped me load them on. I stored them in a barn in Burlington. Then we decided that this would be a better location, after all the battles we went through in the community. I dug the lake out, over there, and for that I wanted to raise the land because it was low, so with that setting I thought it would be a nice place to build a chapel, and ah, my cemetery, for Audrey and I. Then, with a front end loader, I enjoy doing that kind of work, disking and grading and so forth, I took dirt and raised up the mound there. We drew up the plans, and a fellow donated the money to build it. We brought the pews up here, cleaned them up, they were in pretty good shape. I always wanted a fireplace, so we built one. A lot of people said, “Why do you want a fireplace?” Well how many times I’ve sat there in winter, while the preacher is talkin’, watching the people lookin’ at the flames. It’s kind of restful, it adds beauty. It’s a place for warmth and thinking. My daughter Bonnie, her…

June 2003 Page 5 Logging Time With… Paul Poberezny, continued (continued from page 4) daughter was baptized there, and a lot of weddings there, it’s a nice setting. It’s there for the people. My good friend, John Denver, and I, we spent a lot of time talking there, about life. Can you share with us a little known story from your aviation history? During high school I had an old American Eagle biplane, I skipped school and took it for a test flight. I took off and wanted to circle around the high school to impress Audrey. Then the engine started cutting out, so I landed in a field, and here comes a motorcycle cop, Mr. Uebelacker. I’ll never forget him, and I’ll bet he never forgot me, either! He was also the truant officer for West Milwaukee High School. Down to the police station he took me, in his sidecar, about four blocks away. I went back to the high school, and I remember walking through the halls. Audrey saw me, and I looked like a bum; I came from a pretty poor family. I had old bib-overalls on and was all greasy from working on it all day. (Smile) The principal, Mr. Barkley, he had me in his office for another meeting about buzzing the school. John Dorcey with Paul Poberezny I’ve had so many different experiences. I think about all the flying I did and all the wonderful people. Landing when I forgot to put the gear down, at a benefit air show in Aurora. A bunch of us volunteered for that. All I heard was a bang, then I saw a propeller blade looking at me. I remember Tommy running out, yelling, “Daddy, Daddy, what happened?” I just forgot to put the gear down. What makes you laugh? What are some of your other interests? Becker, the TV show. (Chuckle) See, he doesn’t have his cigarettes now. I like Touched by an Angel, I like Westerns and so forth. Most of my time now is reading, reading history, Western history and American history. Last year I read over 2000 chapter newsletters, this year I’ve read over 400 already. I settle back in my chair. And of course I do a lot of writing, mail and all that stuff. What do you feel are the most important issues facing general aviation today? You appreciate airports when you’re into aviation. The economics of aviation, you have to be overly dedicated to stay with it. There’s 1000’s of pilots walking around with a pilots license who don’t fly anymore. They’re talking about this Sport Pilot Certificate. I would like to see that be successful. The other problem is that we’ve got airport managers who don’t like airplanes at their airports. (He pauses, listens with a discerning ear and says, “That’s a B-17 fly -by,” then continues.) Problems of aircraft ownership, getting to and from the airplane, insurance costs. On my PT-23, I pay $600 a year. Any comments on Mayor Daley’s actions at Meigs Field? It speaks well of Chicago in the 1920’s, his actions. (Shakes his head, pauses) It’s terrible. If we could get together 50 years from now and celebrate the Centennial of EAA, what would you like to see? I would like to see EAA continue to grow. You have to have a hub to attract a lot of action. It’s the educational aspects that brings people together. It’s family. The family aspect of how we started this and how wonderful things happen, through aviation, through EAA. Right before the Wright Award Ceremony I went to the hospital with diverticulitis. The doctor who examined me said, “We have some commonality. My dad was an EAA Chapter officer out in Omaha and when I was a young lad my dad brought me here, years ago, to the fly-in. I really enjoyed it. When I graduated as a doctor, I wanted to live here. I’ve been here nine years.” Two nurses thanked me, on separate occasions. They worked part-time at the EAA fly-in to earn money while attending nursing school. Working with hand and mind, it took us a while to earn the freedom of bringing men and women together to build airplanes and that’s nice, but that’s not the only thing, if we keep it homespun, we can touch a lot of people’s lives from all over the world. To read more about Paul and to see more photos, please see Paul’s Hall of Fame page on the WAHF website.

Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame Corporate Headquarters 106 Winston Way Waunakee WI 53597-1730 Phone 608-849-9872 We’re on the web! www.aviationhalloffamewisconsin.com P r e s e r v e W i s c o n s i n ' s A v i a t i o n J o i n H i s t o r y . . . T o d a y ! There are a limited number of copies available of the book, Forward in Flight, The History of Aviation in Wisconsin, by Michael J Goc and published by the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame. The 352 pg. hardcover book is the first comprehensive history of Wisconsin aviation. It features over 400 graphics in the form of photos, artwork, and illustrations in both color and black & white, and many articles on topics such as: Wisconsin aviation pioneers, inventors and manufacturers, airport histories, Wisconsin aviation firsts, etc… See the enclosed order form for pricing and ordering information. WAHF Board Members John & Rose Dorcey and Michael Goc presented Wisconsin Aviation History programs in Watertown, Milwaukee, Waupaca, and Oshkosh recently. Thanks to the Fox Valley Flyers, the Shorewood Men’s Club, the Wild Rose Airport Association and the Friends of Watertown Library for their interest in Wisconsin’s aviation history. Looking for a speaker for your next meeting or event? WAHF Board Members are available to share Wisconsin aviation history with your organization! There is no fee for this service, although a contribution to our scholarship fund is welcome. Contact: speakers@aviationhalloffamewisconsin.com Wisconsin Aviation History Limited Edition Posters, celebrating A Century of Aviation in Wisconsin, are now available. These colorful posters make great gifts for yourself or the aviation buff on your list. Every WAHF member received a folded poster with this issue. Collector’s edition 17”x 22” posters, available in a rolled/unfolded format, great for framing, are also available for just $5. Laminated, ready to hang posters for your den, shop or hangar are $20. To order, see the enclosed order form. Posters will be sent in a mailing tube to protect your investment and can be viewed on the merchandise page of our website. Merchandise sales help support our educational goals and general operating fund. The poster was unveiled by Michael Goc of the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame when he presented it to Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi. The presentation was made at the Wisconsin Aviation Conference on March 31 in Middleton, WIisconsin. Busalacchi also received an honorary WAHF membership at the event. Conference participants were treated to Mike Goc’s humorous but factual presentation titled, The Wright Brothers of Wisconsin, a look at Wisconsin aviator’s earliest attempts to build flying machines.