Stinson turns 100!

[southtexaspilot]

Good day San Antonio peeps. This weekend, 18th of April, is the Stinson Airport 100th anniversary celebration. Stinson is the 2nd oldest continuously operated airfield in the United States. She has a rich history that includes the training of military pilots. The city of San Antonio has even created a Fiesta medal to mark this special milestone. Several aviation based colleges, both mechanical and pilot, will be onsite as well as the Air Force. If you have any children that aspire to reach for the clouds, this will be the career event to attend. Please come help celebrate and stop by to see this beautiful piece of southside history. EAA chapter 35 will be providing Young Eagle flights for children 8-17 free of charge. Come by and look for the funny airplane parked on it's nose and say hello.

William

 

[shortround]

Who was the airfield named for? A famous aviator or combat ace?

 

[southtexaspilot]

It was named after the Stinson family. Katherine was the most famous among them. One of the first female pilots to obtain a certificate as well as many other accomplishments. It was originally opened as a flight school by her family.

 

[Acera]

Who was the airfield named for? A famous aviator or combat ace?

Did not think there were any combat aces 100 years ago................yet.

 

[satx78247]

To All,

The very first US Army flight started on the Polo Field at Ft Sam Houston & ended in a peach tree on an adjacent field. = The 2LT was NOT injured but the plane was pretty badly damaged. = There is a photo of the "resting place" of the airplane in the post museum.

yours, satx

 

[southtexaspilot]

Stinson celebration moved to Sunday due to weather. Event kicks off at noon. There will be food trucks and a dj. Bring your children ages 8-17 for a free ride.

W

 

[majormadmax]

To All,

The very first US Army flight started on the Polo Field at Ft Sam Houston & ended in a peach tree on an adjacent field. = The 2LT was NOT injured but the plane was pretty badly damaged. = There is a photo of the "resting place" of the airplane in the post museum.

yours, satx

Not quite. The Army purchased a Wright A Military Flyer in August of 1909 and Wilbur taught two officers to fly it at College Park, Maryland. Both pilots had soloed by October. The next month Foulois moved the program to Ft Sam due to the deteriorating weather up north. In March he flew the same plane four times, crashing it on his final sortie. Foulois was the only aviator in the Army because the two students from College Park went back to their respective branches.

Source: U.S. Army Aviation | Timeline

Also, it would have been the first airplane flight, as the US Army had used balloons since the Civil War.

 

[Skip]

I enjoyed flying into Stinson, especially after my instructor made me land the 172 in SA International.

"Character is doing the right thing even when no one is watching"

 

[southtexaspilot]

Not quite. The Army purchased a Wright A Military Flyer in August of 1909 and Wilbur taught two officers to fly it at College Park, Maryland. Both pilots had soloed by October. The next month Foulois moved the program to Ft Sam due to the deteriorating weather up north. In March he flew the same plane four times, crashing it on his final sortie. Foulois was the only aviator in the Army because the two students from College Park went back to their respective branches.

Source: U.S. Army Aviation | Timeline

Also, it would have been the first airplane flight, as the US Army had used balloons since the Civil War.

FYI, College Park, Maryland is the oldest continuously operated airfield in the United States. Stinson is 2nd.

W

 

[southtexaspilot]

Stinson even has a Fiesta medal for the first time commemorating 100 years. I bought a few. First TGT member to seek me out on the airfield tomorrow can get one for free.

W

 

[southtexaspilot]

Yes the propeller spins!

W

 

[pdxmale]

This is open to some debate........
from Wikipedia:

Pearson Field is the oldest continuously operating airfield in the Pacific Northwest and one of the two oldest continuously operating airfields in the United States, receiving recognition in 2012 as an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics historic aerospace site.[SUP][3][/SUP][SUP][4][/SUP] Pearson Field's history began with the landing of a Baldwin airship piloted by Lincoln Beachey, upon the polo grounds of the Vancouver Barracks in 1905.[SUP][[/SUP]

 

[pdxmale]

In the 20's to 50's there was a STINSON aircraft manufacturer. It was founded by Katherine's brother, Edward. I once owned a 1946 model.

 

[southtexaspilot]

The statement was not for oldest airport but for oldest continuously operated airport. I hardly think an airship stopping in 1905 in a field, an aircraft landing in 1911, and an aircraft taking off in 1912 qualifies as continuously operated. Oldest airport period is up for debate which I do not care to engage.

W

 

[southtexaspilot]

In the 20's to 50's there was a STINSON aircraft manufacturer. It was founded by Katherine's brother, Edward. I once owned a 1946 model.

The CAF will have their L-5 Stinson on the field tomorrow.

W