AI Person of the Year

Mr. Payton started his aviation career in 1978 while working at the Monroe County Airport in airfield maintenance. In 1982, he was appointed as Assistant Airport Director and Chief of Maintenance and was appointed by the Board of Aviation Commissioners as Airport Director on January 1, 2000. Bruce has been an active member of Aviation Indiana for more than 30 years and has served the organization as President, Vice- President, Board Member, Conference Chair and Liaison Chair.
Mr. Payton has been instrumental in community outreach by:
· His participation in furthering Civil Air Patrol for which he received the Frank G. Brewer Sr. Award in 2015.
· The organization and participation in the Kisters Kids Aviation Program with the Monroe County Boy’s and Girl’s Club;
· His continued participation in the Harmony Alternative School Aviation Education Program that brings students to the airport to learn about aviation and gives the students the opportunity to fly around Monroe County;
· Organizing and hosting Boys Scouts of America Camporees at the airport where Indiana Boy Scouts completed training classes and earned merit badges in aviation; and
· Developing an internship program at the airport encouraging youth to follow careers as airport administrators.
Mr. Terry Rainier, the 2015 Person of the Year Award Winner, announced the selection during the Aviation Indiana’s Award Banquet on October 12th in Michigan City. Mr. Rainier commented that “Bruce is always willing to assist other airport managers around the state. Bruce not only has a tremendous amount of historical knowledge about airport operations, he has the ability to take that knowledge to help others in solving their problems.”
Dr. William Pugh, Monroe County Airport BOAC President, stated “This award confirms something that we have known for a long-time, Bruce Payton is one of the best. When the airport’s runway had unforeseen issues, Bruce guided the process to make sure that everyone was comfortable in the solution of getting the airport back too normal.” Dr. Pugh also noted that “Bruce has done a tremendous job of making everyone aware the airport is a community resource which allows the businesses of Monroe County to connect to their customers and potential customers.”

Terry graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. His career in aviation began in 1976 when he joined the Engineering firm of RW Armstrong & Assoc., Inc. (RW Armstrong), a firm that specialized in aviation planning, design, and development. During Terry’s career with RW Armstrong, the firm grew from having two offices in Indiana, to having 18 offices throughout the United States as well as several international locations. He served as a Project manager through the 1980s for most of the firm’s civil and electrical airport design projects, and as Director of Airports Design through the 1990s. From 1998 through 2010 he served as Director of Airports, leading over 100 staff members on the Airports Team. After his role as Director of Airports he continued as a Board of Director and vice president for the firm providing strategic corporate oversight for the growth of Airport Services, while also staying engaged with design and quality control efforts. RW Armstrong merged in 2012 and is now known as CHA. Although mostly retired at this point, Terry continues to work as a Senior Principal Engineer in CHA’s Aviation Market.

Terry was elected to the AAI Board of Directors in 1995 and was also appointed to chair the Sponsorship Committee for the Association at that time. He started through the chairs of the management team in 2004 serving as Secretary (2004-2005), Second Vice President (2006-2007), First Vice President (2008-2009), and President (2010-2011). As a member of the Management Team, Terry was very active in the development of a Strategic Plan for the Association and in growing member participation. Terry was the recipient of the Association’s Special Recognition Award in 2005, and Person of the Year in 2015.

Dan has over 30 years of experience in airport management, planning and development and serving four years in the USAF. He also was the Executive Director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority and Director of Airports for the City of Oklahoma City. He recently retired from Black & Veatch, Airport Management Consulting Group, as a Principal Consultant and served on assignments for Madrid and Barcelona, Spain; Argentina; Augusta, Georgia; Baltimore, Maryland; Pensacola, Florida; Paso Robles, California; Los Angeles International and El Toro in Orange County California. As an airport executive, Dan has been responsible for the planning, construction and operation of new airport terminals, runways, airline facilities, highway and parking structure projects. He has also developed airline special purpose facilities including reservation centers, airframe maintenance and overhaul facilities, and major cargo facilities. His experience includes the packaging of finance options, airline, community and rating agency presentations for these projects. He also has extensive hands on experience coordinating airline operational requirements with those of the airport and airline passengers during major construction projects.As a consultant, Dan’s assignments in Madrid, Barcelona and Argentina involved the development, evaluation and selection of alternative terminal schematic designs as well as runway alternatives and associated airfield development alternatives.Dan is a graduate of Syracuse University with a B.S. in Business Administration. He is an Accredited Airport Executive and served as Past President of the American Association of Airport Executives. He also is a commercial pilot with instrument and multiengine ratings.

David Beall was a 1978 graduate of Ben Davis High School and Indiana University in 1992 with degrees in political science and economics. After college David decided to enroll in the U.S. Army serving from 1979-1983 as a radio operator receiving the rank as a Sergeant. After his service, David became an airport manager for Warsaw Municipal Airport. After David worked 13 years, he decided it was time to retire. After announcing his retirement, the mayor of Warsaw, Joe Thallemer, said he “served our city well.”

Bart Giesler, of New Palestine started working for John Frick and Associates in 1992. Bart’s initial responsibilities for AAI were focused on assisting at the Annual Conference and the hospitality room and lobbying for AAI. In 2002, Bart was appointed to serve as the Executive Director for AAI and assumed all of AAI’s daily activities. Since that time, Bart has led AAI’s successful lobbying efforts at the State House and serves as the spokesperson for the association. Bart was instrumental in changing how the AAI’s Economic Impact Study was conducted and connecting the importance of aviation to jobs in the local community.

Maria Muia began flying at age 15 at McDonald’s Field, a grass strip between two cornfields in Morgan County marked on the aeronautical chart as “hazardous.” She graduated from Indiana State University with a B.S. in Aviation Administration and is proudly known to hail, “Go Sycamores!” She is a private pilot with an instrument rating and an advanced instrument ground instructor training. She received her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Management and has taught many courses as an adjunct professor in the field of aviation. Muia has served in both the private and public sectors, including 10 years as the Manager of INDOT’s Aeronautics Section and as many years as an aviation consultant. Maria has landed at every public airport in Indiana and served on the board of directors for AAI and the AAI Scholarship fund.

Greg Sweeny was born in St. Albans, Vermont, and he grew up in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. He graduated from the University of Vermont Burlington in 1970 where he earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He received an M.S. in Civil Engineering at the University of California Berkeley in 1981. He joined FAA in 1970 and for 10 years his work consisted of site surveys, design surveys, preparation of design plans and specifications, resident inspection, and installation of FAA airway navigation facilities. For 30+ years after this, his work consisted of assisting airports, their consultants throughout the state of Indiana, and the Indiana State Aeronautics department on airport projects and issues; administering the Airport Development Aid Program (ADAP) and Airport Improvement Program (AIP), administering the Passenger Facility Program (PFC), airport planning (Master Plans and Airport Layout Plans, obstruction evaluation (OE/AAA), compliance and more. The majority of the time, he worked with General Aviation airports with development projects such as runway, taxiway, and apron construction and lighting, instrument and visual navigational aid establishments, land acquisition, and terminal building construction and associated facilities. This work included planning (Master Plan and Airport Layout Planning, Capital Improvement Programming), issuing FAA grants, reviewing plans and specifications, grant administration including project design reviews and construction oversight.

McQueen graduated from Purdue University in Aviation Administration. He is a certificated private pilot and aircraft dispatcher. He serves on the board of the Huntingburg Airport as airport manager. He previously worked for INDOT, Office of Aviation and the Indianapolis International Airport Source: http://huntingburgairport.com/staff/

Happel was born and raised in Kentucky. He expressed an early interest in flying – a high school classmate wrote of Happel in their yearbook at Louisville’s DuPont Manual High School: “He could put wings on a baby buggy and make it fly” – but a nation at war would provide the better part of his education in the sky. Happel received his certificate as an aviator from the US navy and went on to fly dive-bombers in the Pacific theater. Happel returned to Louisville area after the war but settled in Indiana, where him and his Navy buddy Frank Haley joined with Charlestown businessman C.R. Leutz to create Riverview Airport, on land off of Utica Pike east of Allison Lane and just outside of Jeffersonvill.e Happel and Haley operated a flying service out of that airport until Leutz opted to sell the land for residential development. Meanwhile, Charles Bush of Ramsey, Indiana had taken over the old Beeler Airport property in Clarksville and rechristened it Bush Field (known also as Jeffersonville – New Albany Airport). The displaced Happel and Haley then leased land from Bush until the early 1950’s when he too sold the airport property for development – this time a commercial and residential development that would evolve into today’s Value City plaza and adjacent neighborhood. Undettered, Happel resolved to construct his own private airfield, Hap’s Airport, a 2,000 foot airstrip on land north of old Potter’s Lane (today’s Progress Way) and east of the new Interstate 65. His business, Hap’s Arial Advertising, blossomed as much as his reputation as Clark County’s most famous pilot. “We always worked over the Kentucky Derby, advertising automobile dealers and the like,” explained Happel in a recent interview for a local newspaper. “We did a little crop dusting and sightseeing flights, and flew baby chicks for Sunshine Hatcheries in New Albanyh to Texas, Tennessee, and Georgia”. The many students who earned their own wings under Happel’s tutelage in flight school, however, recall Happel with a special fondness. Happel’s private airfield would serve Clark County for thirty years, during which time a great deal of planning took place for a new public airfield: a regional super airport for commercial aviation favored by some and a smaller general aviation facility sought by others. Happel and his firm, Hap’s Aerial Enterprises were hired as the airport manager for Clark County Airport.
Source: AAI’s Field of Dreams

Sue Mowery-Schalk has a Masters of Public Administration focusing on Urban and Regional Planning from Indiana University and a BS (magna cum laude) in Aviation Administration from Indiana State University. In addition, she became an Accredited Airport Executive in 1986, was certified as an American Institute of Certified Planners in 1990. Sue became licensed as a commercial pilot with an instrument-rating in 1980. She joined the FAA as the Great Lakes Region’s Airports Division Manager in 2010. In 2012, Sue was asked to lead the Office of Airports national initiative to standardize the field operations. She joined the FAA with diverse professional experience in the airport industry having spent 27 years in the private sector, specializing in airport planning and environmental documentation, after beginning her career as the Assistant Airport Director of a commercial service airport in Terre Haute, Indiana. Sue served as Chair of the Airport Consultants Council in 2001-2002. Sue also received the following aviation awards: 2011 Secretary of Transportation’s Partnering for Excellence Award, 1999 Airport Consultants Council’s President’s Award, 1986 Aviation Association of Indiana Presidents Special Recognition Award.

Larry is the Acting Manager, Chicago Airports District Office, FAA, Great Lakes Region.

If you have more information about Larry’s accomplishments, please let us know.

Larry started his lifelong aviation career at INDOT (Indiana Aeronautics Commission) where he established their first ever Capital Improvement & FAA Grant Program.  He later assisted airports working for various engineering firms  and retired from Woolpert.   Larry graduated from Purdue, was a member of AOPA,  American Society of Civil Engineers (Indianapolis Chapter Past President), Aviation Indiana (served as Treasurer), the National Shuffleboard hall of Fame (Founding Director), and several other organizations.

Larry was born and raised in Mentone, IN.  He and his wife Patti raised 3 sons (including one who is an airline pilot captain) in Indianapolis.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recognizes Larry Edward Creakbaum as part of the prestigious FAA Airmen Certification Database.

Nikki Anderson has worked at the Wabash and Kokomo Airports and was later the manager at the LaPorte Municipal airport. Other information unavailable. If you have something you would like to add, please let us know.

Kyle J. Kuebler, was appointed by the Porter County Aviation Board in 1991. Kyle is a licensed pilot with multiple ratings and an engineering graduate of Purdue University. Kyle has many affiliations, serving as a Director of the Aviation Association of Indiana (AAI), membership with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), and is an active volunteer firefighter. He also has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University.

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Skip Miller was the Executive Director of Airports at Fort Wayne/Allen County Airport Authority in Indiana for 19 years before moving to become the Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority in 2003. He graduated from the Indiana Institute of Technology with a degree in Business Administration and holds an A.S. degree in Aviation Administration from Northern Kentucky University. He holds a private pilot license.

In 1944 George, age 7, and his mother fled their native Latvia to Germany to escape the Russian Army. George’s dad reunited with the family in Germany. In 1949 the family moved to Australia and in the late 1950s his dad, a concert violinist, came to Indianapolis after he was offered a job with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. George age 23 and his mother came to Indianapolis in 1960 at which time George who always wanted to fly took flying lessons and ultimately became a flight instructor and charter pilot. George eventually became the chief pilot and director of the Voyager 1000 travel club and after a falling out with Voyager 1000 management in 1973 George stated his own travel club, Ambassador, which he served as pilot, baggage handler, and tour guide. The business grew and he added more aircraft and in 1984 formed Amtran, Inc. the former parent company of American Trans Air which later became ATA. George retired from ATA in 1998 and the airline was being run by a new CEO. 9/11 and the resulting effects place severe strain on ATA. George came out of retirement and steered the airline through a Chapter 11 Reorganization and secured a major code-share arrangement with Southwest Airlines after which he once again retired. The loss of some military transport contracts and other economic issues resulted in ATA once again filing for Chapter 11 on April 2, 2008 at which time the airline ceased all operations. In its prime ATA was North America’s largest charter airline.

A native of Nashville, Tenn., Working came to the Evansville airport as assistant manager in 1982. He was promoted to manager in February 1986. Working has a bachelor’s degree in professional aeronautics and worked as an engineering assistant and air traffic controller before coming to Evansville. He continued to work at Evansville for 27 years, retiring in 2010. Source: Evansville Courier & Post

Don Manley had a career in airport planning and design after graduating in 1973 from Tri-State College, Angola, IN with Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. From 1973 to 1981 he served the Aeronautics Commission of Indiana (ACI), predecessor to the Department of Transportation, as assistant engineer. He is a licensed pilot and professional engineer. In 1981 he began his private consulting engineer career serving as a project engineer with Wetzel Engineers, Inc. (WE) and went on to become the aviation department manager. In 1993 WE was sold to Butler, Fairman & Seufert (BF&S) to begin an Airport Development Department. Don continued as aviation department manager with expanded duties as an executive vice president while with BF&S. Both duties continued until his retirement in 2015. During his career in Indiana aviation, Don had the distinction of being involved in surveying every public use airport and managing some of Indiana’s most public visible airport projects. These projects included the original 50 acres of apron serving Federal Express, Indianapolis International Airport runway 5R-23L and associated parallel taxiways with a CAT III ILS, and the only Watts glide slope antenna in Indiana, the first civilian runway in Indiana of 12000 feet at FWA. His visionary designs included the use of lime-fly ash soil stabilization by the injection method through existing runway pavement, a complete airport using LED technology, use of silicon joint sealant in fuel resistant applications, minimization of expansion joints, fiber reinforced asphalt pavement, full-depth asphalt pavement reclamation stabilized with cement, and doweling concrete pavement in all directions. Many of these projects received awards. He authored both a technical paper that received national recognition and a statute for the original noise sensitive purpose area (IC 8-21-10). His aviation volunteer work included memberships with AOPA, AAAE, AAAE Great Lakes Chapter and AAI. He had the great pleasure to serve as AAI secretary and then treasurer for many years until 2015. His proudest AAI achievement was developing the Airport of the Year award.

Raymie Eckerle spent 14 years managing the Huntingburg Airport. He became the airport manager in 1986. Other information unavailable. If you have something you would like to add, please let us know.

Bob Duncan is a senior level executive for the Indianapolis Airport Authority and an American Association of Airport Executives Accredited Airport Executive. He obtained his B.A. Degree in History with a minor in political science from Hanover College and his J.D. Degree from Indiana University Law School-Indianapolis where he currently teaches Aviation Law as an Adjunct Professor. Bob has extensive operational and legal expertise in airport operations as well as being instrumental in land acquisition for over 30 years to facilitate the expansion of Indianapolis International Airport. He is an active pilot holding Federal Aviation Administration issued Airlines Transport Pilot and Flight Instructor certificates and serves as an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner for Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, and Flight Instructor certificates in both single and multi-engine aircraft. He is well recognized as an aviation speaker and author. Bob’s memberships include many aviation and legal based organizations and he has been active in numerous civic organizations throughout his career.

Wendell was member of the NROTC at Louisville and received a commission as Ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve the day of graduation. He served on active duty with the Navy for three years and continued in the Naval Reserve until retirement in 1977 as a Commander. He Joined Cummins in 1960 as an application engineer and during 25 years served in various roles in middle management until early retirement in 1985. After leaving Cummins he served as manager of the Columbus Municipal Airport for 14 years until final retirement in 1999. While at the airport he served on the Board of Directors for AAI and represented Indiana in the Great Lakes Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives. He was a founding member of the Atterbury Bakalar Air Museum and was an active member throughout retirement.

Col. Clarence Cornish grew up in Fort Wayne, IN. He began flying at the age of 19, piloting a “Jenny” aircraft during WWI and continued to fly for the remaining 78 years of his life. In 1995, at the age of 97, the Guinness World Records crowned him as the world’s oldest actively flying pilot. In addition, his was a part of the Indiana Aeronautics Commission
Source: http://www.thepress.purdue.edu/titles/format/9781612493381

Keith Pettigrew specializes in aviation law and authored the state of Indiana aviation laws. Other information unavailable. If you have something you would like to add, please let us know.

Elaine is an Accredited Airport Executive, and oversees the operations of Port Columbus, Rickenbacker International, and Bolton Field Airports. Elaine began her airport management career with Indianapolis Airport Authority in 1983-1994. In 1994-2000, she was the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation which operates the T.F. Green (Providence) Airport and five other state-owned airports. Elaine serves on the Boards of Experience Columbus, Columbus Partnership, Columbus Region Logistics Council, and State Auto Financial Corporation. She is Past National Chair of the American Associaiton of Airport Executives and serves on their Policy Review committee and the Board of the International Association of Airport Executives. Elaine has a B.S. in English and Sociology, a M.S. in urban planning, and a J.D. from the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis.

Dr. Joseph Greenlee served in the Indiana Air National Guard for more than 33 years and retired as a brigadier general, USAF. He was assistant adjutant for air and a commander in the Indiana Air National Guard from 1989 to 1997. He is the founder and president of Kendallville Aviation, Inc. and a past president of the Aviation Association of Indiana.
Source: http://www.kpcnews.com/article_d25f2a88-6bd0-522b-bd43-5668ce6a0651.html?mode=jqm

Eunice Laughery served as the Airport Manager at the Porter County Municipal Airport. She was employed ehre for many years before being appointed as manager in 1985. Her and her husband Bob served with dedication to a tradition of high standards.

A licensed and instrument-rated pilot for more than 30 years, Mr. Volk is a chairman of the Aviation Law Committee of the Indiana State Bar Association, the LaPorte Municipal Airport Authority and AAI.

John Frick served as the president of St. Joseph County Airport authority. He served in the Indiana House from 1964-1968 and the Indiana State Senate from 1968 – 1972. He was a Lobbyist at from 1973 – 1990 at the Indiana State House.

Bill “William” Britt ( 1927-2012) and Marilyn Britt (1931-2014) in 1968 entered the airline industry by becoming the third Allegheny Commuter in the Allegheny system with Beechcraft 99 service from Danville, Illinois to Chicago O’Hara Airport later adding Muncie, Bloomington, and Terre Haute in Indiana. They created Britt Airways in 1978 to provide replacement service for Ozark Airlines and by the mid-1980s it was one of the largest regional airlines with service to 28 cities in eight states. Britt Airways was sold to People Express in 1986.

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Jerry Cokain was the owner and operator of Hoosier Aircraft Accessory, Inc. a company started by his father, George Cokain. The business was founded in 1960 in a T hangar at the Indianapolis Weir Cook Municipal Airport (now Indianapolis International Airport) . After George’s death Jerry took over the family business and made the transition from working on general aviation’s piston engines, propellers and engine accessories to turboprop and pure turbine engine accessories. Jerry also started another division of the company, Aircraft Wheel and Brake. The company eventually terminated operations as a result of the loss of contracts with the US Postal Hub and Comair and the inability to obtain new contracts that would sustain the company.

Mr. Schalliol began his 35 year career in aviation in 1977 as the airport engineer at the South Bend Airport. He went on to become the executive director in 1981. During his time as the executive director, he managed more than $85 million in capital improvements and $20 million in land acquisition. He also brought the South Shore Line onto airport property in 1992, making the airport a center for transportation.
Source: http://articles.southbendtribune.com/2013-02-18/news/37166152_1_john-schalliol-airport-board-airport-property Photo By Jennifer Shephard

Dan has over 30 years of experience in airport management, planning and development and serving four years in the USAF. He also was the Executive Director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority and Director of Airports for the City of Oklahoma City. He recently retired from Black & Veatch, Airport Management Consulting Group, as a Principal Consultant and served on assignments for Madrid and Barcelona, Spain; Argentina; Augusta, Georgia; Baltimore, Maryland; Pensacola, Florida; Paso Robles, California; Los Angeles International and El Toro in Orange County California. As an airport executive, Dan has been responsible for the planning, construction and operation of new airport terminals, runways, airline facilities, highway and parking structure projects. He has also developed airline special purpose facilities including reservation centers, airframe maintenance and overhaul facilities, and major cargo facilities. His experience includes the packaging of finance options, airline, community and rating agency presentations for these projects. He also has extensive hands on experience coordinating airline operational requirements with those of the airport and airline passengers during major construction projects.As a consultant, Dan’s assignments in Madrid, Barcelona and Argentina involved the development, evaluation and selection of alternative terminal schematic designs as well as runway alternatives and associated airfield development alternatives.Dan is a graduate of Syracuse University with a B.S. in Business Administration. He is an Accredited Airport Executive and served as Past President of the American Association of Airport Executives. He also is a commercial pilot with instrument and multiengine ratings.

In 1930, Bill’s father startred the Steuben County’s airport, where Bill was raised. He took his first flight lesson with his father in 1951. After serving two years in the US Army, he joined his brother, Jim, at tri-State Airport. In the fall of 1956, he soloed a Piper J-3. In the 1960s, Bill and his wife managed the Tri-State Airport. Bill was able to acquire a commercial pilots license with single engine, multi-engine, and instrument rating along with flight instructor, asel-amel and instrument. He also had an airframe and powerplant license. He was a FAA Designated Pilot examiner for 32 years, administrating over twelve hundred pilot flight tests. He also had the Inspection Authorization certificate to inspect aircraft for recertification and return to service. He served on the Board of Directors of AAI for several years ,in which he served as President in 1982 and 1983

Robert Stroud served Purdue University Airport for almost 40 years retiring in December 2000 and served as Director from 1981 until his retirement. During his service at the Purdue Airport the facilities at the Airport experienced consistent and continuous improvement. He worked hard to maintain commercial air service at the Airport following deregulation of the airline industry in 1978 and over nine different carriers provided air service to Purdue including Air Wisconsin, Delta and USAir. Robert also served in the United States Air Force.

In 1953 James enlisted in the United States Air Force and completed Officer Candidate School in 1954. Trained as a fighter pilot, James served his country for 20 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Once he retiremed, James moved his family to Elkhart where he served for 19 years as Airport Manager of Elkhart Municipal Airport.

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Dale was the president of Astro Tech Co. for 27 years, retiring in 1972. Before that, he was the vice president of Roscoe Turner Aeronautics Corp. Mr. Mason was a traveling companion of Turner, a flamboyant pilot in the 1930’s who set several speed records and was known to fly with his pet lion.

Professor Jim Maris (1919-2008) during World War II was an American bomber pilot based in England. He flew and survived the required number of missions flying an aircraft named the “Bad Penny” (the Bad Penny was lost the very next mission with the replacement crew) and rotated back to the United States where he spent the rest of the war as an instructor following which he earned a college degree under the GI Bill and went to work for Purdue University in its aviation department and in a few years became the head of its Department of Aviation Technology. Prof. Maris had a tremendous enthusiasm for flying and motivated many students to major in aviation including future astronauts.

James “Jim” Torphy owned and operated Torp Aero fixed base operation at the Bloomington, Indiana, airport from 1963-1983. He trained hundreds of pilots and also served as an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. He subsequently relocated to Winter Haven, Florida, and began instructing pilots for seaplane ratings at Jack Browns’s Seaplane Base. Jim is now 92 years old (2014) and instructed at Jack Brown’s until he was 87 years old. Jim was a mentor to many pilots and is a member of the Quiet Birdman.

Esther Berner (1911-1997) was a member of the Women AirForce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II. WASP was form in 1942 as women pilots were needed to perform ferry, transport, testing, and other noncombat flying which would allow more male pilots to be used for combat duties. There were 1102 women who served as WASPs. After the war Esther worked for the Indiana Aeronautics Commission first as Special Projects Officer and ultimately as Director. She was the first woman to hold the position as Director.

Larry started his lifelong aviation career at INDOT (Indiana Aeronautics Commission) where he established their first ever Capital Improvement & FAA Grant Program.  He later assisted airports working for various engineering firms  and retired from Woolpert.   Larry graduated from Purdue, was a member of AOPA,  American Society of Civil Engineers (Indianapolis Chapter Past President), Aviation Indiana (served as Treasurer), the National Shuffleboard hall of Fame (Founding Director), and several other organizations.

Larry was born and raised in Mentone, IN.  He and his wife Patti raised 3 sons (including one who is an airline pilot captain) in Indianapolis.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recognizes Larry Edward Creakbaum as part of the prestigious FAA Airmen Certification Database.

If you have more information about Larry’s accomplishments, please let us know.

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Louise received her private pilot’s license in 1955. She was the first woman to receive the Aviation Woman of the Year Award and the Special Aviation Recognition Award in 1965. She was the former secretary and treasurer of the Indiana Aviation Trades Association.

William S. Fletemeyer Bill was the 1st Purdue Airport director.

If you have more information on Bill and his accomplishments, please let us know.

Hirschinger’s interest in flying was piqued in 1927 by Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight across the Atlantic. He made his own first solo flight in May 1935 at the Indianapolis Municipal Airport.

He began his aviation career as a flight instructor, working for Weir Cook, the man for whom the Indianapolis airport was later named. Hirschinger then managed the Inter City Airport at Hobbs (between Tipton and Elwood). He taught people to fly, flew charters himself, and barn-stormed to make a living. He came to work at the Muncie airport the day after Christmas in 1939.

During World War II, he trained 2,400 pilots through the Civilian Pilot Training Program, the War Training Service and the Navy’s V-5 officer training program. He did this, in Muncie without accident or serious injury–a record of which he was immensely proud. Among those pilots was Alex Vraciu, who became a top Navy air ace.

In 1961, Hirschinger left Muncie to manage Sky Harbor Airport in Indianapolis. By then he had accumulated 19,000 hours of flying time, more than 2 full years in the cockpit. He returned 3 years later to take over as manager of Muncie’s airport and remained here until retiring in 1983 with 48 years in the flying profession and more than 2 1/2 years aloft. During those years he survived spins, frozen fuel filters, the collapse of a wing assembly and a stubborn onboard fire, but his closest call was a mid-air collision over an airport in Cartersville, Ga. A newspaper account said Hirschinger was making an unscheduled stop to avoid bad weather when the other plane struck his from below. Hirschinger managed to bring his aircraft under control and belly-land it, escaping with just scratches on his leg. He then climbed out and ran to help the two people in the other craft, who were critically injured when a propeller cut into their cockpit and the plane cartwheeled onto the airport grounds.

After retirement, Hirschinger remained active in numerous aviation organization. In 1991, he was inducted into the OX-5 Club of America Hall of Fame.
The Star Press, Wednesday, February 5, 2003.

Lawrence B. (Larry) Hirschinger, 88, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon at Ball Memorial Hospital. He was born in Elwood, the son of George and Barbara Rupp Hirschinger, and graduated from Elwood High School in the early 1930s. He came to Muncie in 1939 and trained pilots at the Muncie airport during World War II. He later was manager of Muncie Airport until retiring in 1983 after 48 years in the flying profession.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church; Knights of Columbus, the former Muncie Club; and Halteman Village Club. He was a member and past director of the Muncie Rotary Club and the Muncie/Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, and he served on the executive board of the Delaware County Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Mr. Hirschinger was a member of the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians, International Flying Farmers, OX-5 Aviation Pioneers, Quiet Birdman, Silver Wings Fraternity, American Association of Airport Executives, National Aviation Trades Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and National Pilots Association. He was also a charter member of the Aviation Hall of Fame, a former member of the American Meteorological Society, director of the Indiana Airport Officials Association and the Aviation Association of Indiana. He was chairman of the board and past president of the Indiana Aviation Trades Association, a charter member of the Indianapolis Aero Club; and a member of the Delaware County Aero Club.

In 1970, he received the National Pilot’s Association’s second-highest safe piloting award for logging 20,315 consecutive accident free hours, and was named Indiana’s Aviation Man of the Year. In 1968, he received the F.A.A. National Airport Beautification Commendation.

Jim, president of Citrus Recreation Marina and Jim Eyster Realty, Inc. specialized in waterfront and upscale developments. Jim moved to Florida in 1973 from Auburn, IN where he was president of Consolidated Airways, Inc., which operated aviation facilities in Fort WAyne, Augburn, Kokomo, Wabash, Kendalville, and Sturgis, MI. Eyster was a commercial rated pilot with multi-engine instrument and instructor ratings. He was also the past vice president and director of AAI, past president and director of Indiana Aviation Trades Associations, and past treasurer, vice president, and director of National Aviation Trades Association. He was an original founder of and organizer of AAI.

Mr. Jankovich began his aviation career during WWII while serving in the US Army Corps as Captain in Transport command. He flew as a professional pilot around the world and after returning from WWII developed the first Gary Airport alongside his brother, Paul.
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Glen was the manager of Freeman Field in Seymour.

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Jack Mullendore and his brother Don operated the Franklin Flying Field in Franklin, Indiana. Franklin Flying Field was located on the Mullendore family farm and began as a single grass runway in 1937. Jack was a U.S. Navy flight instructor during World War II. As a result of the G.I. Bill, many released servicemen from both WWII and Vietnam eras learned to fly at the airport which had expanded to three grass runways and six instructors including Jack and Don. Jack and Don also operated a very busy charter service which started with Piper Tri-Pacers and grew to encompass both single and multi-engine aircraft. Don Mullendore died in 1978 as a result of an encounter with a thunderstorm that resulted in an accident. Jack continued to operate the airport during the 1980s as well as serving as an Indiana State Representative during this time. Jack passed away from cancer in the early 1990s.

Born October 25, 1930 in Indianapolis, Dr. Ross spent his formative years in Norfolk, Virginia where he gained a deep appreciation for books, the saxophone and aviation. After graduating from the University of Virginia in 1953 with a B.A. in English Literature, Jim studied dentistry at the Medical College of Virginia (now Virginia Commonwealth University) in Richmond, Virginia. In 1958, Jim began his dental practice in Lapel, IN. Later, he opted to practice dentistry with Dr. Robert Risk – an association that turned into a life-long friendship between the two. Not one to allow his work to interfere with other pursuits, Jim was one of the original founders of the Central Indiana Soaring Society and served as President of the Blatchley Nature Study Club.

Art Darlington and his brother Lou operated Anderson Aviation and the Anderson Municipal Airport in Indiana from 1937-1987. Art was a 1936 graduate of Anderson High School and attended Purdue University in 1937. He held a commercial pilot certificate and was the member of many aviation organizations including AAI. In 1948 he was the founding president of the Indiana Aviation Trades Association. He was a member of Quiet Birdman, Fraternal Order of World War II Pilots, OX 5 Aviation Organization Arts. Art passed away in July, 2003. His brother younger brother Lou passed away in August, 2008. Both Art and his brother had a significant impact on Indiana Aviation.

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Don and Georgia founded the Elwood, Indiana, Airport in 1946. The airport consisted of sod runways for single-engine aircraft and in 1952 it got wide attention when an ice cream shack opened. In 1953 a dining room was added and young girls wearing green uniforms with boxy green hats served customers in their planes. The dining room offered table service. So in essence it became the world’s first fly-in drive in airport and a sign on the restaurant proclaimed it as such. The Orbaugh’s daughters took over the operation of the airport after the death of their father. The airport could not sustain itself financially and it closed in 2008 with the runways being plowed under and leased to a local farmer. The iconic restaurant as of November, 2012, remained opened.

Dale was the president of Astro Tech Co. for 27 years, retiring in 1972. Before that, he was the vice president of Roscoe Turner Aeronautics Corp. Mr. Mason was a traveling companion of Turner, a flamboyant pilot in the 1930’s who set several speed records and was known to fly with his pet lion.

James P. Hanley was born in Convoy, Ohio in 1920. He came to Winter Haven from Elkhart, Indiana in 1970. He was a veteran of the Army Air Corps. He was a member of the Lake Region Yacht & Country Club, the Lake Region Rotary Club, the Winter Haven Shrine Club, the Mizpah Temple, the Flying Shriners, Masonic Lodge No. 218 F & AM in Van Wert, Ohio, the Scottish Rite in South Bend, Indiana, the Silver Wings, the Quiet Birdman, the Ox-5 Club and the Experimental Aircraft Association.

Donald E. Tharp after being the director of the Weir Cook Municipal Airport became the manager of Dress Memorial Airport in Evansville in 1958. He was a Fort Wayne native.
Source: http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/33481168/
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William B. Dorr’s aviation story began in 1940, when he started flying a single-engine C-2 Aeronca while working for the Evansville police force. Although beginning as a hobby, it sparked a lifelong career in aviation. In 1942, he entered the military as a flying instructor and after his discharge in 1944 he began Crescent City Aviation alongside John Doane. The airport was sold in 1946 and in 1947, Dorr moved to Dress Memorial Airport, where he continued to operate Crescent City. In 1957, the Indiana Aviation Trades Association named him Indiana Aviation Man of the year. He later was named president of this organization in 1959. In 1960, Dorr was elected a director and vice president of Roscoe Turner Aeronautical Corporation in Indianalpolis. In 1963, Dorr became the exclusive private aircraft sales, service and hangar operator at Dress Memorial Airport. In 1967, Dorr was tragically killed in a helicopter accident.

Richard Cunningham had a career in commercial financial services and civic service. From 1954 to 1961, he served in the Aeronautics Commission of Indiana. He spent much of that time as a director. In 1963, he began working with the American Fletcher National Bank, first serving as a loan officer and then on to becoming the aircraft finance manager. Until 1971, he spent the last five years here as the Assistant Vice President. From 1972-1974, Cunningham worked as the Manager of the City Personnel Department for Indianapolis. He then moved on to become the Washington Township Assessor from 1975-1987. He was a collector of railroad materials.