Encyclopedia Dubuque
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DUBUQUE AIRWAYS INC.: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:imp232.jpg|left|thumb|350px|1929 group photo: Top row: George Necker, Ray Fascillius, Ed Tegler, Leo Fitzpatrick, Francis Fitzpatrick, Joe Zehentner. Middle row: Don Meisner, John Ward, La Verne Pape, Louis Boxliter, Bill Koch, Mell White, Front: DeWitt Collins (instructor)]]DUBUQUE AIRWAYS INC. Organized by [[TEGELER, Edward B.|Edward B. TEGELER]] and eleven other Dubuque residents in 1930, Dubuque Airways operated the airfield at [[NUTWOOD PARK]] from 1930 until 1934. The airfield had one hangar and a short runway about 1,385 feet long. (1) Tegeler was president of the organization; [[ZEHENTNER, Joseph|Joseph ZEHENTNER]], vice-president; and Don Meissner, secretary and treasurer. Needing an aircraft, Tegeler and eleven other charter members each contributed $250 towards the purchase of a Stinson Junior which the members shared for their lessons and flights. DeWitt Collins, an experienced pilot from Winthrop, became the group's instructor. | [[Image:imp232.jpg|left|thumb|350px|1929 group photo: Top row: George Necker, Ray Fascillius, Ed Tegler, Leo Fitzpatrick, Francis Fitzpatrick, Joe Zehentner. Middle row: Don Meisner, John Ward, La Verne Pape, Louis Boxliter, Bill Koch, Mell White, Front: DeWitt Collins (instructor)]]DUBUQUE AIRWAYS INC. Organized by [[TEGELER, Edward B.|Edward B. TEGELER]] and eleven other Dubuque residents in 1930, Dubuque Airways operated the airfield at [[NUTWOOD PARK]] from 1930 until 1934. | ||
The airfield had one hangar and a short runway about 1,385 feet long. (1) Tegeler was president of the organization; [[ZEHENTNER, Joseph|Joseph ZEHENTNER]], vice-president; and Don Meissner, secretary and treasurer. Needing an aircraft, Tegeler and eleven other charter members each contributed $250 towards the purchase of a Stinson Junior which the members shared for their lessons and flights. DeWitt Collins, an experienced pilot from Winthrop, became the group's instructor. | |||
[[File:daways.png|left|thumb|300px| Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]Collins also taught others to fly. By 1931, seven licensed pilots had been trained at the airfield. Tests included a written examination on information including air traffic rules and plane mechanisms. Following several hours of solo flying, pilots had to pass an actual flight test with a government inspector. The entire process could be achieved in four months. (2) | [[File:daways.png|left|thumb|300px| Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]Collins also taught others to fly. By 1931, seven licensed pilots had been trained at the airfield. Tests included a written examination on information including air traffic rules and plane mechanisms. Following several hours of solo flying, pilots had to pass an actual flight test with a government inspector. The entire process could be achieved in four months. (2) | ||
Dubuque Airways was not the first to operate the Dubuque Air field. The city of Dubuque constructed the airport on Sageville Road (U.S. 52) north of Dubuque where [[NUTWOOD PARK]] was once located and later Wickes Lumber Company. The city sublet the airport in April 1928 to W.W. McBoyle who also operated the Galena, Illinois airport. McBoyle promised to operate four planes from the Dubuque field but ceased operations after a year and a half. Dubuque Airways operation of the field resulted in 23 visiting planes, 2,333 sightseeing passengers, 65 cross country passengers and 17 students during their first year in business. | Dubuque Airways was not the first to operate the Dubuque Air field. The city of Dubuque constructed the airport on Sageville Road (U.S. 52) north of Dubuque where [[NUTWOOD PARK]] was once located and later Wickes Lumber Company. The city sublet the airport in April 1928 to W.W. McBoyle who also operated the Galena, Illinois airport. McBoyle promised to operate four planes from the Dubuque field, but ceased operations after a year and a half. (3) Dubuque Airways operation of the field resulted in 23 visiting planes, 2,333 sightseeing passengers, 65 cross country passengers and 17 students during their first year in business. (4) | ||
[[Image:dubairways.jpg|left|thumb|250px|1938 advertisement. Photo courtesy:Bob Reding]]After Tegeler had four hours of flying time, the group purchased Collin's Great Lakes 2T-1A, a better training plane, and later an OX-5 Waco 90. Of the original stockholders, half soloed but only Louis Boxleiter continued in aviation as a career. In July 1931 Dubuque Airways sponsored a traveling air circus that drew large crowds including famed aviator, Charles Lindberg. | [[Image:dubairways.jpg|left|thumb|250px|1938 advertisement. Photo courtesy:Bob Reding]]After Tegeler had four hours of flying time, the group purchased Collin's Great Lakes 2T-1A, a better training plane, and later an OX-5 Waco 90. Of the original stockholders, half soloed but only Louis Boxleiter continued in aviation as a career. | ||
In July 1931 Dubuque Airways sponsored a traveling air circus that drew large crowds including famed aviator, Charles Lindberg. (5) | |||
The location of the airport between bluffs on the east and west sides of the 1,320-foot sod landing strip was never popular. By July 1931 Dubuque Airways began pushing for relocating the airstrip to Hamm's Island, later called [[CITY ISLAND]]. In February 1934, a new airport was opened after the city purchased the island for $10,000. | The location of the airport between bluffs on the east and west sides of the 1,320-foot sod landing strip was never popular. By July 1931 Dubuque Airways began pushing for relocating the airstrip to Hamm's Island, later called [[CITY ISLAND]]. In February 1934, a new airport was opened after the city purchased the island for $10,000. | ||
Dubuque Airways operated this field until 1938 when the field was sold to Hal Halverson and Ralph McCaffrey. ( | Dubuque Airways operated this field until 1938 when the field was sold to Hal Halverson and Ralph McCaffrey. (5) Dubuque Airways maintained a lease on the airport after this date. At the beginning of [[WORLD WAR II]], the company signed a contract for the flight training of Navy Air Cadets from the training school at [[LORAS COLLEGE]]. In July, 1943 Dubuque Airways terminated the corporation's lease on the [[HAMS'S ISLAND]] airport. The termination of the contract was not expected to endanger the $600,000 grant for a new airport in Table Mound Township or the Navy Offier Candidate School opened at the [[UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE]]. (6) | ||
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2. "Two Dubuque Boys Pass Test, Obtain Aviators' Licenses," ''Dubuque Telegraph-Herald'', November 4, 1931, p. 4 | 2. "Two Dubuque Boys Pass Test, Obtain Aviators' Licenses," ''Dubuque Telegraph-Herald'', November 4, 1931, p. 4 | ||
3. Guilfoyle | 3. Kirchen, Rich, "Town's Early Flyers," Telegraph Herald, February 24, 1987, p. 24 | ||
4. Ibid. | |||
5. Guilfoyle | |||
6. "Navy Halts Training of Fliers Here," ''Telegraph-Herald'', July 6, 1943, p.1 | |||
[[Category: Transportation]] | [[Category: Transportation]] | ||
[[Category: Aviation]] | [[Category: Aviation]] | ||
Revision as of 19:14, 3 May 2018
DUBUQUE AIRWAYS INC. Organized by Edward B. TEGELER and eleven other Dubuque residents in 1930, Dubuque Airways operated the airfield at NUTWOOD PARK from 1930 until 1934.
The airfield had one hangar and a short runway about 1,385 feet long. (1) Tegeler was president of the organization; Joseph ZEHENTNER, vice-president; and Don Meissner, secretary and treasurer. Needing an aircraft, Tegeler and eleven other charter members each contributed $250 towards the purchase of a Stinson Junior which the members shared for their lessons and flights. DeWitt Collins, an experienced pilot from Winthrop, became the group's instructor.
Collins also taught others to fly. By 1931, seven licensed pilots had been trained at the airfield. Tests included a written examination on information including air traffic rules and plane mechanisms. Following several hours of solo flying, pilots had to pass an actual flight test with a government inspector. The entire process could be achieved in four months. (2)
Dubuque Airways was not the first to operate the Dubuque Air field. The city of Dubuque constructed the airport on Sageville Road (U.S. 52) north of Dubuque where NUTWOOD PARK was once located and later Wickes Lumber Company. The city sublet the airport in April 1928 to W.W. McBoyle who also operated the Galena, Illinois airport. McBoyle promised to operate four planes from the Dubuque field, but ceased operations after a year and a half. (3) Dubuque Airways operation of the field resulted in 23 visiting planes, 2,333 sightseeing passengers, 65 cross country passengers and 17 students during their first year in business. (4)
After Tegeler had four hours of flying time, the group purchased Collin's Great Lakes 2T-1A, a better training plane, and later an OX-5 Waco 90. Of the original stockholders, half soloed but only Louis Boxleiter continued in aviation as a career.
In July 1931 Dubuque Airways sponsored a traveling air circus that drew large crowds including famed aviator, Charles Lindberg. (5)
The location of the airport between bluffs on the east and west sides of the 1,320-foot sod landing strip was never popular. By July 1931 Dubuque Airways began pushing for relocating the airstrip to Hamm's Island, later called CITY ISLAND. In February 1934, a new airport was opened after the city purchased the island for $10,000.
Dubuque Airways operated this field until 1938 when the field was sold to Hal Halverson and Ralph McCaffrey. (5) Dubuque Airways maintained a lease on the airport after this date. At the beginning of WORLD WAR II, the company signed a contract for the flight training of Navy Air Cadets from the training school at LORAS COLLEGE. In July, 1943 Dubuque Airways terminated the corporation's lease on the HAMS'S ISLAND airport. The termination of the contract was not expected to endanger the $600,000 grant for a new airport in Table Mound Township or the Navy Offier Candidate School opened at the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE. (6)
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Source:
1. Guilfoyle, Laura, "Barnstorming Days Remembered," Telegraph Herald, May 20, 1975, p. 31
2. "Two Dubuque Boys Pass Test, Obtain Aviators' Licenses," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, November 4, 1931, p. 4
3. Kirchen, Rich, "Town's Early Flyers," Telegraph Herald, February 24, 1987, p. 24
4. Ibid.
5. Guilfoyle
6. "Navy Halts Training of Fliers Here," Telegraph-Herald, July 6, 1943, p.1