| St. Louis Flying Club |
Club History
The St Louis Flying Club is one of the oldest continuously operating flying clubs in the nation.
On September 11, 1942, the St Louis Flying Club petitioned the St Louis courts for a not for profit corporation status. Since the United States just went to war with Germany in December 1941 and the founding members of the club all had German names, The court assigned Louis E. Zuckerman to "investigate the Application of the St Louis Flying Club for a pro forma decree of incorporation, and to examine the articles of association, and show cause, if any there be, why pro forma decree should not be granted, as prayed, and to report his findings to the court with all convenient speed".
Louis Zuckerman went to Lambert Field on September 23rd and interviewed Mr. Burclay of the Civil Aeronautics Authority, Mr. Parks who was in charge of Lambert Field, and other men who were in the office to ascertain the character and reputation of the petitioners. After spending a total of 14 hours and 25 minutes on his investigation, for which the Club was charged $75.00, Louis Zuckerman filed his report on August 23, 1942 stating "I find no cause or reason why the prayer of the petition of the St louis Flying Club should not be granted and recommend to the Court that the proforma decree of incorporation be granted, as prayed".
On September 28th, 1942, the St Louis Circuit Court judge, Eugene Sortorius, granted the decree of incorporation to the St. Louis Flying Club.
The original club by-laws signed by the Clubs first officers on September 11, 1942 is shown below
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Article 1. The name of the association shall be THE ST LOUIS FLYING CLUB, and shall be located in the City of St. Louis, Mo. Objects and Purposes. The objects and purposes of the Association shall be to further and encourage amateur flying in the community; to own and acquire such airplanes and flying equipment as may be necessary or needful for the use of it's members in fostering, encouraging and practicing amateur airplane piloting; to rent, lease, or purchase sufficient hanger facilities appropriate for such activities, to hire instructors for it's members and to cooperate with the Civil Aeronautics Authority to the end that it's members may become more proficient pilots. The sole and principal objective is to enable the Association as a non-profit organization, for the benefit, education and enjoyment of it's members, to, at minimum cost, become proficient airplane pilots, so that they may, if required, enter the Army or Navy Air Corps as pilots. Uses Denied The Association shall not be used for either business or political purposes or for pecuniary gain or profit of it's members. Control and Management The control, direction and management o the affairs and finance of the Association shall be governed by a Board of Directors, which shall consist of four (4) or more members, as the Board of Directors shall or may, from time to time, determine. Its officers shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary and such other officers as may be created and provided by the By-Laws of the Association. These members of the Board of Directors shall be elected by the members of the association for a term of one year at the annual meeting of the membership. The President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected at the same meeting. By-Laws and Regulations The Board of Directors shall adopt By-Laws, Rules and Regulations for the government of the Association, which may be changed from time to time, subject to the approval of a majority of the members attending a meeting duly called for that purpose. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, We have hereunto set our hands this 11th day of August, 1942, in the City of St. Louis, Mo. Lester D. Goebbels, Vice President Milen D. Chapman, Secretary-Treasurer |
Club Charter Members
| Name | Age | Adress |
|---|---|---|
| Jess T. Herzog | 39 | Arber Terrace, St Louis County |
| Lester D. Goebbels | 47 | Clayton |
| Milen D. Chapman | 51 | Normandy |
| John Dickherber | 28 | Jennings |
| M. C. Harvey | 25 | Jennings |
During the 1940's, the St Louis Flying Club operated a Piper J-3 Cub as shown taking off from Lambert Field in one of the Club's early advertising brochures. The Piper J-3 Cub was the preferred aircraft for training pilots in the early 40's and as a result, over 80 percent of all U.S. military pilots received their initial flight training in Piper Cubs.
Club Aircraft
| Year | Aircraft | N Number | Serial No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940's | Piper J-3 Cub | ? | S/N ? |
| April 1958 - April 1980 | 1957 Cessna 172 | N8673B | S/N 36373 |
| April 1980 to Present | 1975 Cessna 172M | N20843 | S/N 17263853 |
| January 2010 to Present | 1979 Piper Arrow IV | N2242N | S/N 28R-7918044 |
| April 2015 to May 2018 | 1975 Citabria 7ECA | N8746V | S/N 1110-75 |
| July 2018 to Present | 2004 RV-7A | N202CR | S/N 1110-75 |
Club Field Location
| Year | Airport |
|---|---|
| 1942 - ? | Lambert Field |
| ? - ? | St Charles City Airport |
| ? - Jan 1983 | Arrowhead Airport |
| Jan 1983 - Dec 1985 | Weiss Airport |
| Dec 1985 to Present | Spirit of St Louis Airport |
Copyright © 1999, St Louis Flying Club, All rights reserved. Last updated November 2020.