Month: December 2023

Robert W. Williams was born in Ottumwa, Iowa on September 21, 1922. His father became a pilot and encouraged his sons to learn. They became three of the total 102 black pilots in the United States at that time. When…

Born in Talmage, Iowa on October 22, 1930, Elvin F. Knotts grew up in the Afton and Creston area. In 1951, Elvin joined the United States Air Force. He had a varied career which included being a radar operator, radar…

Born in Brooklyn, Iowa, Avery Ladd, worked and flew for Midwest Aviation Corporation of Omaha, Nebraska. He qualified for federal aircraft and engine license and also transport license in 1930. He was an instructor and a charter pilot for the…

Rear Admiral Harold Blaine “Min†Miller, was born January 4, 1903, in Newton, Iowa. In his early teens he moved to Murphy, Iowa, to live with his grandparents on the family farm. Harold moved to California while he was still…

Clifton P. “Ole†Oleson was born in McGregor, Iowa, in September, 1899. His fifty year flying career took him to friendly and unfriendly skies around the world, but always brought him back to Iowa. A born flyer, he was obsessed…

Charles W. Gatschet was born in Salina, Kansas, December 4, 1896. He joined the U.S. Army’s pilot training in 1917. He instructed aviation cadets before going to France as a Signal Corps pilot.  In 1919, he built and flew his…

Hartley A. Westbrook was born January 29, 1919 near Letts, Iowa. While attending what is now known as the University of Northern Iowa, he took initial flight training from John and Bite Livingston. He completed his training after joining the…

Russell and Dolly Zangger have owned, financed and operated Zangger Airfield on the family farm in Larchwood, Iowa since 1949. The airport boasts four runways, 24-hour service and the first airpark in Iowa featuring five homes with direct private hangar…

Walter Cunningham was born in Creston, Iowa on March 16, 1932. When he was a child his family moved to Venice, California where he graduated from high school. He joined the Navy in 1951 and began flight training. He served…

Ralph Weberg was one of three brothers who started Weberg Airways, Inc., at Denison. At a time when it was the only commercial airport between Sioux City, Des Moines and Council Bluffs, Ralph was the only brother who was interested…