Knutson has served as a judge at both EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and the “Sentimental Journey” Piper aircraft gathering at Lock Haven, Pa. He has also been a longtime advocate of welcoming youth into aviation and offering flights to young people.

Dick is the tenth person to be inducted into the Vintage Aircraft Hall of Fame which was established in 1993. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame in 2002.

Bruce Botterman was presented with the 2005 Outstanding Achievement in Aviation Award. Bruce was recognized for his more than 40 years in the aviation maintenance industry. He and his wife Rae own New View Technologies in Oshkosh. Bruce also serves as president of the Wisconsin Aviation Trades Association for nine years.

Don Winkler has the public affairs and media director at Wisconsin Aviation since 1998. He was presented with the 2005 Carl E Guell Aviation Education Award. Don has shared his passion for aviation with thousands of school age children from throughout the Madison area. He is an Air Force veteran, former air traffic controller and has served with the Civil Air Patrol for over 30 years.

Congratulations Bruce and Don! All of us at WAHF are proud of your accomplishments and this latest recognition.

Besides membership in the WAHF, and the Ercoupe club, Syd is an active member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and EAA Chapter 640. He has provided more than 600 Young Eagle flights, most of them in this airplane.

The airplane is based at the Wausau Downtown Airport. His sharing of education, particularly aviation education, is a long time effort having been a school teacher in the Wausau School District. He won the Carl E. Guell Aviation Educator Award in 1994.

Read more about Syd and Ercoupes in the August 2005 issue of Private Pilot magazine and the June 17, 2005 issue of General Aviation News.

Congratulations Syd!

Syd's award winning Ercoupe
(Submitted photo)

Syd Cohen with his 1946 Ercoupe
(Submitted photo)

The display provides details and memorabilia on Wisconsin Central Airlines / North Central Airlines; Reeve Aleutian Airways and background information on the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame.

WAHF President Rose Dorcey said, "I encourage everyone to visit the airport, buy a delicious pastry from Scott's Pastry Shoppe, and examine the history display." The display will change periodically in an effort to share more of the organization's archive materials.

Gunter Voltz, Wisconsin Glider CFI Emeritus
Inducted into SSA Hall of Fame
Gunter Voltz has been soaring for the past 75 years. He has soloed over 400 glider students and trained more than 30 CFIs in the fine art of glider instruction. Add the glider pilots that he continues to mentor to that total and it is not surprising that he was recently named to the Soaring Society of America's Hall of Fame.

In addition to his instructor efforts, Gunter has served as the Midwest regional rep for the SSA organization and also served as chairman of their Youth Committee. During his tenure as chair the percentage of youth membership in the organization reached an all time high. Gunter was also very active in Scouting's Explorer Program leading an Aviation Explorer Post.  At 88 he continues to instruct in gliders and airplanes. Gunter is an active member/supporter of the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame having attended the recent induction ceremony in Oshkosh.

Gunter and his family will be attending the Soaring Society of America's National Convention in Ontario, California. During ceremonies on Thursday, February 10, 2005 Gunter will be inducted into the organization's Hall of Fame.

Congratulations Gunter!

The class learned about the four forces of flight and affects on takeoff and landing performance. Duane lives on the Waunakee airport and so had a good number of teaching aids close at hand.

Thanks Duane for continuing to share your knowledge and passion for all things aviation. How does that adage go? You may be able to take the teacher out of the classroom but you can never take the classroom out of the teacher.

Thanks also to Roger Hamilton and the Waunakee Tribune for allowing us to use their images.

Duane sharing details of aircraft construction.
(Submitted photo)

The Chair role is the latest in five positions Greene has held since becoming a member in 2001. Previously he held regional director, secretary, treasurer and vice chair positions. His chairman term will run through September 2005.

As chair of the national organization, Greene has several responsibilities, including program oversight representing the association in Washington DC.

Greene has been a WAHF member since 1994 and became a member of the board of directors that same year.

Thomas and Wambach fly Young Eagles

Two WAHF members, Bill Wambach and Tom Thomas, were “in the spotlight” recently when they took part in the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s PEOPLE program. The UW PEOPLE program encourages middle and high school-age students to continue their studies in the fields of aviation, rocketry and space exploration. The Madison Times newspaper featured the program on the front page of its June 25 issue. Wambach and Thomas were recognized in the article for their efforts in giving Young Eagle flights to the participating students.

Using a UW-Flying Club Cessna 172, Wambach and Thomas flew the students as part of the three-week program. After spending an entire week learning about aviation, from aviation history to aerodynamics to aviation careers, the students flew over Madison, seeing sights such as the capitol, the UW-Madison campus, and the beautiful lakes surrounding the city. The pilots also explained the pre-flight process and parts of the airplane before departing on their Young Eagle flights.

Wambach, the UW-Flying Club’s Young Eagles Coordinator, said the UW-Flying Club has flown over 3,200 Young Eagle flights. Wambach said, “I'm proud of the members of our club for responding when I'd make all the arrangements and ask them to do the flying.” Wambach received his pilot certificate in 1989, and has flown over 450 Young Eagle flights himself.

Thomas, also a UW-Flying Club member and Young Eagle volunteer pilot, said that the greatest reward to him is the excitement the kids get out of the flights. “Thinking back in my younger years, how things impressed and motivated me in those early years of 'unknown' and learning, I'd have loved to have a similar opportunity. So now it's our turn to give these little 'treasures' back to the young folks who will be running this place when we're in our rocking chairs."

Tom Thomas, Bill Wambach and
UW people Program students.
(Submitted photo)

The Wisconsin State Historical Society has named author Michael Goc as one of three recipients of its 2004 Book Awards of Merit for excellent scholarship in documenting and interpreting Wisconsin history. Wisconsin Historical Society President Patricia A. Boge presented the awards in ceremonies in Madison on Thursday, May 13.

Congratulations Michael!

Michael Goc, second from right, receives award.
(WSHS photo)

Flying Doc Supports Wisconsin’s Aviation History
   Organization Grows By 100+ in 2003

A flying physician from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin was the 100^th person to join the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame during its 2003 “100 for 100” Membership Drive, which ended December 17, the centennial anniversary of the Wright Brothers first flight.

Tim Wogahn, a family practice physician originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a private pilot who has been flying since 1999. He’s a 1/3 owner of a 1960 Beech Debonair, along with fellow physician Doug Galuk and Aviation Educator Dan Fara. Wogahn became part owner of the Debonair in September 2003 and has already logged over 150 hours in it. Married to wife Linda and a father of three, the 300-hour pilot has made several trips throughout the Midwest, including, before its closure, Meigs Field on Chicago’s lakefront.

WAHF member Tom Voelker, yet another Wisconsin Rapids flying M.D., referred Wogahn to the organization. Wogahn said he didn’t hesitate to join the organization when Voelker mentioned the worthy programs the organization supports, such as a $1000 aviation scholarship. “I feel it’s important to support Wisconsin’s aviation history, and joining was a great way to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the Wright Brothers first flight,” said Wogahn.

Wogahn’s membership helped the organization reach its 2003 goal of 100 new member supporters by December 17. In the final days of the drive, the organization not only met but also exceeded its goal with 102 new members coming on board.

Tim Wogahn and his wife Linda
(submitted photo)

Tim Wogahn pilot and WAHF member
(Submitted Photo)

Long-time WAHF member Bob Kunkel summed up the 2003 Induction Ceremony and Banquet perfectly, “I thought the 2003 banquet was the best induction banquet I've attended,” said Kunkel, “and I've been to most.”

We appreciate those words, Bob. The Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors made an extra effort to make the 2003 banquet extra special, in honor of the centennial anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flights. Several factors contributed to a successful event, including an enhanced Power Point presentation during the awards ceremony, and a first-time silent auction that raised over $2000 for the scholarship program.

But above anything else, the event was made special by the number of our previous year’s inductees who attended. Thanks to Paul Poberezny, Roy Shwery, Tom Poberezny, Archie Henkelmann, Richard Knutson, Tim Hoeksema, Bill Bordeleau, and Preston Wilbourne for attending. A special thank you goes to our 2003 Inductees Robert Goebel and Marie Schuette, the families of Melvin Thompson, Charles Wood and Thomas Hamilton, and all who attended. We were honored to have all of you present. Visit the memories page to relive the evening.

Guy Wood accepts plaque for his father Charles Wood
(WAHF photo by Rose Dorcey)

Joe Norris, an EAA Senior Aviation Information Specialist, made aviation history recently when he was designated as an Amateur Built Designated Airworthiness Representative (AB-DAR). Norris is the first to be officially and fully authorized to perform homebuilt aircraft inspections on behalf of the FAA.

What does the designation mean and what does it take to become one? Through a recent telephone interview, Norris cheerfully answered those questions.

“The AB-DAR program is specifically designed to bring people from the amateur built community into the designated airworthiness representative system,” said Norris. “Inspectors who are very knowledgeable on home built issues will now be available to those who need an airworthiness inspection.”

Having a home built background is a must-have requirement to receive the designation. Among the requirements for AB-DAR applicants are having an A&P mechanic certification, and applicants must have built an airplane and flown it for at least 100 hours. Requirements that Joe had no trouble filling...

A former cranberry grower from Central Wisconsin, Joe began flying in 1978 and quickly moved through his ratings, becoming a commercial pilot and CFI in both airplanes and helicopters. He also earned an A&P mechanic certificate with IA. By 1997, Norris sold the cranberry business and went into aviation full-time. He has built, flown and sold a Sonerai II, restored a Piper Tri-Pacer, and is currently building a Great Lakes biplane. Norris owns two aircraft, a Cessna 180 and a Piper Super Cub. A charter member of EAA Chapter 706 in Wisconsin Rapids, he sees great things with the program.

For more information: www.eaa.org/communications/eaanews/040123_norris.html

Joe Norris, nation's first AB-DAR
(WAHF photo by Rose Dorcey)

Joe Norris in the left seat of the EAA's B-17
(submitted photo)

Dennis wrote, "But planes would just be so much winged furniture without bold pilots to fly them. Among those in the Hall of Fame are Milwaukee's own Billy Mitchell, the champion of using aircraft in war, and Superior's Richard Bong, America's World War II "Ace of Aces."

"And on a gentler note there is Libby Parod, longtime manager of the little airstrip in Cable, in Wisconsin's North Woods. Parod took over the airport after her husband died in 1959, doing everything from refueling airplanes to directing ground traffic and serving coffee and fresh-baked goodies to incoming pilots."

"Maybe a little more of Libby's touch would make flying more appealing today."

You can check out the entire article by Dennis at the Journal Sentinel's web site. The link on the next line will take you directly to the article. http://www.jsonline.com/dd/destmid/oct01/mccacol17101601a.asp

Thank you Dennis for a wonderful story about our organization and the inductees into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame.