www.erau.edu/archives Issue No. 2 Spring 2009 Celebrating Women in Embry-Riddle’s History In this special edition of Wings of Legacy, we pay tribute to some of the women who influenced the development of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. By 1928, a growing number of women wanted to learn to fly. Many were trained at the Embry-Riddle Flying School in Cincinnati, Ohio, then in its third year of operation. John Paul Riddle believed that women made better pilots than men. In the book, The Sky is Home, Riddle said, “Women have more nerve than men when it comes to flying ... maybe it’s because women are (more) naturally nearer to angels than men.” With more women entering aviation, one question often asked of Embry- Riddle during its Saturday night “avia- tion chats” on a local radio station was, “What place is there for women in President Isabel McKay aviation?” Women were expected to In 1939, attorney and aviator John McKay partnered with John Paul Riddle to create hold jobs in aviation, but mostly oc- a seaplane base in Miami, Fla., called the cupations that were “outside the actual Embry-Riddle School of Aviation. Operations operations and maintenance depart- expanded into several satellite training facilities ments.” Nevertheless, one member of for military pilots and mechanics during the Embry-Riddle Flying School praised WWII. McKay became president and owner women for their business acumen and of Embry-Riddle in 1944. After his death in 1951, McKay’s wife believed that a woman in aviation would Isabel took over as the first and only female be “a more valuable and more efficient president and general manager. She served on employee if she knew how to fly.” the board from 1945 until her death in 1972. In 1959, she established the Embry-Riddle For more women Aeronautical Institute as a non-profit Florida in Embry-Riddle’s history, corporation. Students on the Daytona Beach campus voted to name a dormitory “McKay see pages 10 and 11. Hall” in Isabel’s honor. Bringing our rich history to life A Message from the Dean Robert Rockett, Dean Heritage Project Director 386-226-6026 or 800-727-ERAU (3728) E-mail: [email protected] One of our most enjoyable opportuni- Lecture series: ties of the Heritage Project is bringing We often Embry-Riddle’s rich history to life. This present Embry- issue of the Wings of Legacy highlights Riddle’s history some of the unique ways we showcase in classrooms, our past. during home- coming Memorabilia Collections: Pictured here activities, and are actual Embry-Riddle artifacts that at special have been donated to the University events around Archives. They are often on display at 2 the world. special exhibits. Oral histories: In select cases, we re- Internet: You can find thousands of cord eye-witness accounts about past historic Embry-Riddle pictures like Embry-Riddle events. This unique those throughout this newsletter in our strategy provides an added dimension free online archives at www.erau.edu/ to the University’s history by relating archives. the personal experiences and opinions Exhibits: In this issue, you’ll read about of our many friends and alumni. an original Embry-Riddle 1929 Velie Publications: The Wings of Legacy Monocoupe engine that was restored by newsletter has become our best outlet our Daytona Beach faculty and stu- for sharing our history in print. Our dents. The engine was displayed inside “Legacy Links” section on pages 18 and the College of Aviation. 19 features stories about our alumni Aviation events: On page 14 is a and friends who add color to our past. replica from an electro-luminescent Professor Stephen Craft, an authority collage display that will be featured on our history, has also written exten- at air shows and aviation tradeshows sively about Embry-Riddle’s heritage. this year including: Sun ’n Fun (April (See page 3.) 21–26), Oshkosh (July 27–Aug. 2), and NBAA (Oct. 20–22). Be sure to visit the We invite you to share your photographs and University’s exhibit at these events. memorabilia with the University Archives. New Book Highlights Embry-Riddle’s Role in WWII Special Offer for Wings of Legacy Readers! (see below) Embry-Riddle at War by Stephen G. Craft, Ph.D. On December 17, 1925, the Embry- Riddle Company was formed as an 3 344 pp. | 6 x 9 | Illus. aircraft distributor at the Lunken Airport ISBN 978-0-8130-3299-3 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Its early success Hardcover $34.95 was attributed to airmail contracts and passenger service in the late 1920s. Through June 1, 2009, the When it reorganized as a seaplane University Press of Florida base on Miami’s Biscayne Bay in October is offering a 20% discount (a 1939, the facility consisted of only two savings of $6.99) on this notable planes, one flight instructor, and one new book to Wings of Legacy maintenance man. From these humble readers. To take advantage of beginnings, the fledgling operation set this exclusive offer: out to meet the challenges of war. Embry-Riddle at War tells the 1.) Call 1-800-226-3822 to story of the company’s astounding order and mention contributions to aviation training in discount code: WINGS WWII. In this authoritative history, 2.) Order online at www.upf.com. Dr. Stephen Craft, associate professor Follow the link marked “Wings of of social science at Embry-Riddle Legacy readers click here” and use Aeronautical University, mines both discount code WINGS when you archival sources and the personal order through the secure online accounts of the many men and women shopping cart. who famously “Kept ’Em Flying.” Happenings in History by Kevin Montgomery Director, University Archives Do you have photos or memorabilia from your experi- ence at Embry-Riddle that you would like to include in the University Archives? Contact Kevin Montgomery at [email protected] or call 386-226-6296. Original 1929 Embry-Riddle Monocoupe engine restored by repair station in Daytona Beach The early Embry-Riddle Company was the single-wing Monocoupes were a distributor for the Velie Monocoupe built with a tubular steel frame and in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the 1920s. As canvas-covered shell. The Monocoupe well as being for sale, the planes were was also the first fully enclosed, mass used in a fleet of airmail aircraft. One produced plane. Only about 350 4 such plane purchased by the company Monocoupes were built, and they were in 1929 has recently resurfaced and is advertised as “The ultimate plane for currently undergoing restoration for the private flyer.” the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in According to Mirgle, “We under- New York. took the restoration because of the Under a cooperative partnership unique opportunity this presented. It’s between Embry-Riddle Aeronautical not often that you get the chance to University and the Aerodrome, the work on a rare vintage aviation engine, aircraft will be restored to its original especially one that has so much signifi- Embry-Riddle Co. livery. In addi- cance to our own history.” tion, the University’s Charles Taylor The Velie engine exhibit was Department of Aviation Maintenance showcased at the Charles Taylor Science, under the leadership of Commemerative Aviation Festival at Professor Fred Mirgle and Roger the Daytona Beach campus in Sonnenfeld, has recently completed October 2008. restoration of the vintage engine from Mirgle’s crew of faculty and stu- this aircraft. dents are in the process of restoring a The Velie Monocoupe was one of second Velie engine, which had been the first aircraft built for private pilots. preserved in much better condition. Manufactured from 1927–1929 by W. This engine will be installed in the L. Velie, an industrialist who had previ- completly restored 1929 Embry-Riddle ously specialized in carriages and cars, Velie Monocoupe. Mirgle said, “The project became much more involved Happenings in History than we originally imagined and took considerably longer than had been expected, but it was well worth the effort. Personally, I can’t wait to see the plane in the air.” Fred Mirgle and fellow faculty member Roger Sonnenfeld with the restored Embry-Riddle Velie Monocoupe engine. It was on display at the Daytona Beach campus in the fall of 2008, and then was returned to the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome for display in the museum in Rhinebeck, New York. 5 FLY PAPER FUNNIES This cartoon was featured in the May 12, 1941, edition of Embry- Riddle’s newspaper, called the Fly Paper. The insert at the bottom reads: WHERE YOU CHECK YOUR COATS AT CARLSTROM FIELD. Editors Note: Philip de la Rosa brought this one back from R.A.I. And we thought we were the only ones in captivity who couldn’t spell HANGAR!! Peter Brannan ’45 spotlight Fun and flying during WWII In support of the war effort, President flying by day at any distance from the Roosevelt signed the Lend Lease Act in airfield could cause disorientation. So March 1941, enabling Embry-Riddle to we approached night flying with some train British Royal Air Force pilots. From trepidation. 1941–45, more than 1,800 British cadets We made three or four circuits with were trained at the No. 5 British Flying an instructor before going solo and Training School (No. 5 BFTS) at Riddle were then advised to be bloody sure to Field in Clewiston, Fla. Alumnus Peter keep the flarepath in sight. “Flarepath” Brannan shares his accounts of was a bit of an exaggeration. There was terrifying flight training and heart- a row of paraffin-burning smudgepots warming hospitality. down each side of the grass strip, which “I did my pilot training in the No.