Oklahoma and Aviation
I am proud of the contributions Oklahoma has made to aviation. A few special tributes are listed below.
Wiley Post
As a young boy, Wiley earned his cash by repairing everything from farm equipment to automobiles. He attended mechanic's school in Kansas City and helped in the construction of an airport at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Perhaps that was when his love of flying began. Some of his accomplishments follow,
First solo flight 1926 ..... Around the world record 1931 ....Established new altitude record 1934 .... Designed pressurized flight suit .... Research into jet streams.
Will Rogers
Will Rogers supported the early days of aviation along side his good friend Wiley Post. Together they shared in the development and promotion of aviation. Will Rogers will always be known for the following,
American-Cowboy Humorist .... Part-Cherokee Indian .... Trick Roper .... Ziegfeld Follies Star .... Radio Commentator .... Star of 71 Motion Pictures .... Syndicated Newspaper Columnist .... Author .... Philosopher .... Philanthropist.
Frank Phillips
Phillips is the only major oil company still named for it's founder. Frank Phillips was a remarkable businessman who guided the company into the production of aviation fuel. Frank's first well struck oil but quickly fizzled out. Second and third wells were dry holes. Desperate he barely had enough money for a fourth well. His luck changed and 82 consecutive oil producing wells followed. Frank will be remembered as a community leader. Phillips Petroleum will be remembered,
as the pioneer for production of natural gas .... extraction of natural gas liquids as propane and butane .... refining and marketing.
Tom Braniff
Tom Braniff will be remembered as the individual who founded the 116 mile airline flying between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Following Tom's death and under different leadership, Braniff International grew to become one of the major international airlines of the day, but eventually failed when it became the first airline to declare bankruptcy following the passage of the Aviation Deregulation Act enacted by the Congress of the United States. Moreover, Tom was active in,
Chamber of Commerce, .... Community Chest .... Symphony Orchestra .... Grand Opera Association .... Executive Board of the Boy Scouts .... Businesses.
Some Important Oklahoma Aviators Include,
General Ira Eaker .... Captain Jack Isham .... Captain Newt Newell .... Dr. Alvin White .... Captain Jerry White