DUBUQUE FLYING CLUBS

DUBUQUE FLYING CLUBS. In 1961 the Telegraph-Herald stated the city was "following the modern two-car garage trend in its flying--there were now two flying clubs.

The newest club was the Key City Fliers which was incorporated in April, 1960. The twenty members were mainly beginners; the club only had two planes--a two-passenger Taylorcraft and a four-passenger Piper Tri-Pacer. The club began with two members who each contributed $200 to purchase the two-seater and capitalize their corporation. With the addition of another ten members, sufficient money was obtained to purchase the second plane. In June 1961 membership was closed in the belief that ten members per plane was enough.

Members in the new club began their training on the Taylor plane which was cheaper to operate. After completing basic maneuvers training, members moved to the four-passenger plane for navigation and cross-country trips. The Pacer had radio communication and navigation instruments. The club had only one licensed instructor. In the first year, the organization had two members receive their private licenses, five who had "soloed," and several who were almost ready to fly solo.

The older club was the Tri-State Fliers which was founded in 1941. One of Iowa's oldest clubs, this organization maintained five four-place aircraft operating and nearly all members were licensed pilots.

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Source:

Ingerson, Ralph, "Dubuque's 2nd Flying Club is Like 'Compact' Model Car," Telegraph-Herald, June 11, 1961, p. 13