Page 1.pmd - Illinois Department of Transportation

ote from the Director
by Hugh Van Voorst
In this issue of Illinois Aviation we
have listed places where you can obtain
flight training in Illinois. Look it over and
find the one nearest you that meets your
needs, and start your continuing aviation
training today.
There is great value in venturing
forth into new aircraft ratings. How about
getting some training in a sailplane, rotorcraft
or balloon? Continuing your aviation
training is absolutely the best insurance one
can get to guarantee a lifetime of good flying
habits and techniques.
In this, the 100th year of aviation, it
is great that the National Air Tour will be
returning to its historic roots in Illinois.
From the period of 1925-1931 Illinois
provided annual stops for this aviationbuilding
event.
Lansing Municipal Airport will be
one of the first stops for National Air Tour
2003, a 4000 mile, and 26 city odyssey for
over 25 vintage aircraft. Lansing (then Chicago-Hammond),
hosted a stop on the
1927 Ford Air Tour. At that time a feature
was its then new Ford Aircraft Hangar
(which currently is on the National Register
of Historic Places).
On Sept. 9, 2003, the Lansing ramp
and skyline should feature Sikorsky Flying
Boats, Ford and Stinson Trimotors, and a
number of other aircraft from aviation’s
formative Roaring '20s. This should be a
great opportunity to see aviation history
–in the air and not in a museum. For more
information on this all volunteer effort
contact the Aviation Foundation of
America at (651) 255-1999 or at their web
site at nationalairtour.org.
Dec Decatur Dec tur Airpor Airport Airpor t named
named
2003 2003 Primar Primary Primar y Airpor Airport Airpor t of
of
the the Year ear
by Sara DiSantis
DEC
During a special ceremony at the 2003
Illinois Aviation Conference, Decatur Airport
was named the 2003 Primary Airport of the
Year. This award is based on outstanding
work in the areas of airport maintenance, community
support, and the promotion of
aviation.
Decatur Airport managed a total of
55,531 operations in 2002, and has already seen
an increase in operations for 2003. They have
126 based aircraft ranging from single engines
to helicopters. Additionally, the airport offers
free parking and a business center for passenger
convenience.
Airline service at the airport includes
three roundtrip flights to St Louis provided by
Trans States/American Connection. Departure
times include 5:43 a.m., 1:20 p.m., and 6:05
p.m. Arrivals come in at 12:50 p.m., 5:33 p.m.,
and 10:06 p.m. Travel is on 30 passenger Jet
Stream 41.
The airport has numerous flying clubs
and organizations. These include Decatur Aero
Club, EAA Loren Hodge Chapter #274, Touch
and Go Flying Club, and Vagabond Flight Corporation.
All of these organizations help to add
value to Decatur Airport.
The Division of Aeronautics would like
to extend their congratulations to Decatur Airport
for all their outstanding efforts.
2
Hall of Fame Inductees from Page 1
On July 23, 1939, after Humphrey completed
his private license, he and Hunter installed
a new engine in the plane. They set out from
Springfield Airport in the Miss Springfield to attempt
the record once more. Although forced to
land by an electrical storm, the brothers exceeded
the record by flying 343:46.
With threat of war brewing in Europe, the
brothers became flight instructors and prepared
cadets for wartime flying missions; both later became
captains in the 45th Group of the Royal Air
Force. After World War II, Humphrey continued
instructing under the GI Bill at Moody Farm Airport,
Dalton City, IL, until it was closed in 1952.
Spirit pirit of of FF
Flight FF
light A AAwar
A ar ard ar d goes
goes
to o L LLewis
L wis Univ Universit
Univ ersit ersity ersit
Avia via viation via tion Depar Department
Depar tment
Lewis University Aviation Department
was presented with the Spirit of Flight Award
at the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame Banquet
held in conjunction with the Illinois Aviation
Conference.
The Lewis University Aviation Department
began in 1932 as an aircraft
mechanic’s training program. It has developed
into a multifaceted aviation education
program encompassing aircraft maintenance,
flight education and aviation administration.
Strong emphasis is placed on preparing the
graduate for the challenges of life and the
aerospace industry in the 21st Century.
ILLINOIS AVIATION is published bi-monthly by the
Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of
Aeronautics.
Comments, suggestions, and submission of articles are
welcome and should be directed to:
Jan Draper, Editor
Illinois Aviation
#1 Langhorne Bond Drive
Capital Airport
Springfield, IL 62707
Phone: 217-785-8516
FAX: 217-785-4533
TTY: 800-526-0844
E-Mail draperjk@nt.dot.state.il.us
Permission is granted to reproduce or reprint all
original material appearing in this issue.
Printed by authority of the State of Illinois
07/03 26M