The Man Who Taught Lindbergh to Fly

[timwinters]

Our local NPR station has a locally produced show titled "Seems Like Only Yesterday". Frank Nickell, a history professor at Southeast Missouri State University, writes and produces it. He does a wonderful job. All his articles are about local history, most of them dug from deep in the recesses of the unknown.

A few months ago an article of Frank's moved both Chris and I. And, being the creative one that she is, she said "you should suggest that we rename the airport."

So, tonight I presented Chris' idea to the city aldermen. A motion was made and passed.

Be on the lookout for "Ira Biffle Airfield" to hit your charts in a few cycles. We are also planning a celebration of the name change and a dedication. I asked for and received permission from Frank to use his article as the verbiage on our plaque. He also emphatically stated that he wanted to be at the dedication ceremony.

We also plan to have a big (hopefully) fly-in as a part of the dedication, so be on the look-out for an announcement on that in the future. Here's Frank's story:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=z0qm-Btf4Js

Who would'a thunk that such a legend in aviation history came from our little SE MO county of 13,000 people. I'm all about honoring those who were the true pioneers and this was one.

Hope you enjoyed the trip.

(oh, and my excuse for not knowing this story is that I didn't grow up here. I grew up two counties north of here where our legends are German Catholic beer drinkers. )

 

[Geico266]

Lindburg learned to fly in Lincoln, NE. Biffel must have lived here also. Lindburg rented a room at a farm house about 2 miles from my house and built airplane wings in the attic. They had to cut a hole in the roof to get them out and he built a dormer (roof window) for the land lord to approve of the work. In the attic, to this day are pencil writings and calculations of the wings.

He took ground school at what is now a vacant building. The second floor still contains the chauk board used by the flight school and some desks.

When it came time to solo Lindburg did not have the money for the insurance needed to fly solo. Dejected and angry Lindburg took up an offer to so go to work flying for an outfit out of Wichita, KS. ( I think that is right) He soloed and went to work for the company, and the rest is history. 5 years latter he flew non stop across the Atlantic.

After his hero's welcome for the crossing he toured the US major cities promoting aviation, but skipped Lincoln, the place he learned to fly, out of spite. He never came back to Lincoln, NE again.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/lindbergh/sfeature/daredevil.html

 

[jhausch]

Awesome. Very cool, and great idea on the airport name. Fantastic.


-Jim

 

[JasonCT]

Very cool - sounds like a sad end to a too short life.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

Our local NPR station has a locally produced show titled "Seems Like Only Yesterday". Frank Nickell, a history professor at Southeast Missouri State University, writes and produces it. He does a wonderful job. All his articles are about local history, most of them dug from deep in the recesses of the unknown.

A few months ago an article of Frank's moved both Chris and I. And, being the creative one that she is, she said "you should suggest that we rename the airport."

So, tonight I presented Chris' idea to the city aldermen. A motion was made and passed.

Be on the lookout for "Ira Biffle Airfield" to hit your charts in a few cycles.

Very cool! Well done, Tim!

I'm a big fan of what I call "microhistory." Those little things and places that you won't find in most history books, but that are part of the history behind something that's directly related to me. Good job keeping this bit of knowledge alive.