By:
On:
Tagged: , , ,
IMAGE SOURCE

Aviation Maintenance Technician Day is around the corner (celebrated on May 24th, which is the birthday of the birthday of the man who invented the first aircraft engine, Charles E. Taylor). In honor of this day, I wanted to recognize an amazing woman – Phoebe Jane Fairgrave Omlie (November 21, 1902 – July 17, 1975) She is someone to be celebrated and remembered, not simply because she is the first female to receive a FAA aircraft mechanic’s license in 1927, but because she’s an aviation pioneer. 

Phoebe Omlie started out as a barnstormer and air racer. She set many records and had many wins, including 1929’s First National Women’s Air Derby, 1930’s Dixie Derby Air Race, 1931’s Transcontinental Handicap Sweepstakes, and 1931’s National Air Races in Cleveland (which happened to be the first year women were allowed entry). Additionally, Phoebe performed stunts, such as hang from planes by her teeth and wing walking.  She even had her own show called, Phoebe Fairgrave Flying Circus.

IMAGE SOURCE
IMAGE SOURCE

Phoebe achieved the world record for highest parachute jump by a female on July 10, 1922 with a distance of 15,200 feet. In 1927, she became the first woman to received a transport pilot’s license and, in 1928, the first woman to cross the Rocky Mountains in a light aircraft while on the Edsel Ford National Air Tour. Having supported President Roosevelt during his campaign, he assigned her as “Special Adviser for Air Intelligence to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics“,[4] making her the first woman to be appointed to a federal aviation position. While serving in this post, she opened 66 schools in 46 states to help the WWII pilot shortage. Among them was where the famous  Tuskegee Airmen trained.

This amazing woman changed history… for aviation, for women, and for how things were structured. Phoebe assisted with training 5,000 airport ground personnel as part of a joint Works Progress Administration and Office of Education initiative. While working as a senior flying specialist for the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA), her flight school model was so successful that it became the standard. Her efforts earned her a citation in 1942 from the National Education Association.

There’s so much more to know about this pioneering aviator and mechanic. I encourage you to do your own research!

By:
On:
Tagged: ,
https://cwa-fbo.com/schedule-an-arrival/
Central Wisconsin Aviation offers the ability for our customers to schedule their arrival ahead of time to ensure everything is in place for them.

Next time you plan to fly into Central Wisconsin Airport (KCWA), let the line service technicians know you’re coming via SCHEDULE AN ARRIVAL. This will assure we have everything ready to meet your needs upon touchdown. If you are unable to connect with us through the website feature, simple give us a call at (715) 693-6111. We look forward to your upcoming flight!

By:
On:
Tagged:
Billy Mitchell.jpg
Brigadier General  William L. Mitchell, United States Army Air Service
Photo Source: PUBLIC DOMAIN

Though William L. Mitchell was born in Nice, France on December 29, 1879, he was buried at Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This is because his parents were John L. Mitchell, a prominent Wisconsin senator, and Harriet Danforth (Becker). He was raised in what is now West Allis, a suburb of Milwaukee.

After college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a private, but he quickly gained his commission as an officer and joined the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Considered one of the first Wisconsinites to actually observe the Wright Brothers flight demonstrations at Fort Myer, he pursued a pilot license, training at the Curtiss Aviation School in Virginia.

The Curtiss Flying School
The Curtiss Flying School
By COURTESY OF KURT P. WHEATON

During World War I, Billy Mitchell was one of the most famous fliers. According to Wikipedia, he was recognized as “one of the top American combat airmen”, earning “the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, the World War I Victory Medal with eight campaign clasps, and several foreign decorations.”

Billy Mitchell was the assistant chief of the Army’s Air Service. During that time, he began pushing for an independent Air Force, believing air power to be vital for future war endeavors. His efforts are way he’s thought of as the father of the U.S. Air Force. He is also recognized as being the first person to have a military aircraft named after him, the North American B-25 Mitchell.

Here are some interesting links to learn more about why Billy Mitchell was given a court martial and why many of his accolades were received posthumous.
Did Billy Mitchell predict Pearl Harbor? Yes – read more HERE!
Why is Billy Mitchell considered the father of the U.S. Air Force if it was President Harry S. Truman who created the branch on July 26, 1947? Because he was a crusader for air power.

By:
On:
Tagged: , , ,
For more information and to register for Rusty Pilots, please visit: https://hangar.aopa.org/events/item/52/2664

To register for this event click here!

Date & Time – Saturday 14 December 2019 9:00 am until 12:00 pm CST
Hosted By – Central Wisconsin Airport
Location – 200 CWA Drive, Suite 201, Mosinee, WI 54455 USA
Airport ID – KCWA
Instructed By – AOPA Ambassador Andy Miller

This event is being hosted by AOPA
It is free for AOPA members and $79 for non-members.
Visit AOPA.org/Membership for membership information.
Pre-registration is encouraged since seats fill up fast! 
To register for this event click here!

Contact Information:
email – RustyPilots@AOPA.org
Phone – (301) 695-2000

By:
On:
Tagged: , , , ,
Find the Content Details for 14 CFR 61.93 – Solo cross-country flight requirements at https://www.govinfo.gov

If you are a student pilot, who is planning a cross-country flight, consider adding Central Wisconsin Airport (KCWA) as one of your destinations.

We are a towered airport with low traffic. Gain radio experience as you build hours while receiving quality ground services.

A student pilot will need to fly at least one hundred-fifty (150) nautical miles for their VFR solo cross-country. You are required to make three (3) takeoff and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower. In addition, you will need to make full stops at three (3) locations with one leg lasting at least fifty (50) nautical miles.