Doug Kimmel<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nDoug Kimmel has served as Airport Director the Veterans\nAirport of Southern Illinois (formerly Williamson County Airport) located at\nMarion, Illinois since 1998. He has worked tirelessly to improve airline and\nair cargo service in southern Illinois and has guided the airport though a\nmajor runway extension, and the development of the airport\u2019s new modern\nterminal building. The airport\u2019s Essential Air Service provider, Cape Air, now\nprovides service to both Nashville and St. Louis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under Kimmel\u2019s direction, the airport has become a place to\nhonor our veterans. Founded in 2016, Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois\nregularly organizes Honor Flights for veterans, taking groups of veterans to\nWashington D.C. Kimmel has served on the board of Veterans Honor Flight of\nSouthern Illinois since its inception. He helps organize the flights and the\nfund-raising events. This is a volunteer activity on Kimmel\u2019s part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to Honor Flights, Kimmel worked with others to\nbring airshows to the airport. The airshows occurred from 2000-2004 and then\nagain in 2006. This activity brought thousands of people out to the airport.\nKimmel has also worked diligently to attract warbird tours to the airport.\nSince 2012, the Commemorative Air Force, EAA and others have displayed a\nvariety of aircraft at KMWA, making the aircraft available to the public for\ntours and rides. Often, these events also had Young Eagles rides as well. For a\nlot of these events, Kimmel also worked closely with EAA Chapter 277. Much of\nthis activity was as a volunteer, in addition to his \u201cofficial\u201d duties as\nairport director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame honors Doug Kimmel for\nhis contributions to aviation and air transportation in southern Illinois and\nfor his service to our nation\u2019s veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Donald Kirlin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nDonald Kirlin<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nDonald Kirlin is the founder and owner of Air USA, a United\nStates government contractor that provides an impressive array of tactical\naircraft services to the U.S. defense agencies, defense contractors, and\nforeign governments. He is said to own the \u201cworld\u2019s most advanced private air\nforce\u201d. He is an ATP rated pilot and flight instructor, rated in the Boeing\n737, Cessna Citation, L-39, L-59, British Hawk, MiG 21, MiG 29 and an\nAuthorized Instructor for the Experimental L-39, L-59, British Hawk and MiG 21\nand MiG 29. He is also an A&P mechanic and an avid sport parachutist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kirlin was the organizer and promoter of the World Free Fall\nConvention. The World Free Fall Convention was, at the time, the largest\ngathering of skydivers from around the world and was held annually from 1990 to\n2001 in Quincy, IL and 2002 to 2006 in Rantoul, IL. In 2000 the World Free Fall\nConvention drew 5,700+ registrations, people from all 50 states and 55\ndifferent foreign countries were included. During a 10-day period there were\nover 63,000 jumps made. Also, there were 450+ tandem jumps made, 15 Accelerated\nFree Fall students passed and $7400 was raised for various local charities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the World Free Fall Convention was held in Quincy, a\nTwin Otter load of 20 active or ex-military jumpers would make a Demonstration\nJump into the Quincy Illinois Veterans Home. After landing they would mingle\nwith the retired Veterans that were living at this facility and trade stories\nabout military life. This annual event was very much appreciated and was\ngratefully anticipated every year by the Veterans Home residents. All these\nactivities were supported and promoted by Don Kirlin who actively participated\nin many of them along with the World Free Fall Convention Staff Members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame honors Donald Kirlin for\nhis contributions to Illinois aviation and especially for his efforts related\nto the World Free Fall Convention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
John Charles Robinson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nJohn Charles Robinson<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nJohn C. Robinson (1903-1954) was an African American aviator\nwho led the way for generations to follow. In 1931, Robinson and his colleague\nCornelius Coffey became the first black Americans to receive their Aircraft and\nEngine Certification from Curtiss-Wright Aeronautical College (CWAU).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Concerned with sharing the joys of aviation with his peers,\nRobinson recruited and trained pilots and mechanics first at CWAU, and then\nformed the Challenger Air Pilots Association. To conduct flight training,\nRobinson and the Challengers built the first African American owned and\noperated airport in the Chicago suburb of Robbins. Unfortunately, the hangar\nwhich housed the club\u2019s aircraft collapsed in the winter of 1933, damaging\ntheir airplanes, and resulting in the closure of the airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fred and William Schumacher were brothers who owned and\noperated Harlem Airport at 87th St. and Harlem Ave. After Robbins Airport\nbecame inoperable, the Schumacher brothers invited Robinson and Coffey to\nHarlem. Now that Challenger had a place to go, they still didn’t have a hangar\nor any facilities. Throughout the main flying season, the sponsored many\nairshows and demonstrations, sightseeing rides, dances, dinners, and any other\nfund raisers they could. It took perseverance, but Challenger eventually had\ntheir own hangar and several used aircraft restored to flying condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wanting to expand aviation training beyond Chicago, in 1934\nRobinson visited his alma mater, Tuskegee Institute, urging them to establish\nan aviation program. Although they turned down his request, he planted the\nseeds that later blossomed into the Tuskegee Airmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Challenger Association continued to be a major factor\nfor African American aviation in Chicago until 1939 when it was reorganized\nwith a much wider scope as the National Airmen\u2019s Association of America (NAAA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In August 1935, Robinson left Chicago for Ethiopia to\nsupport their fledgling air force against the Italian fascists seeking to\ncolonize the country. His skills impressed Emperor Haile Selassie and became\nhead of their air force. Sadly, the country was unable to stand the Italian\nonslaught. When the country fell the following year, Robinson returned to\nChicago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He returned to Chicago and in 1939, he started the John C.\nRobinson National Air College and School of Automotive Engineering. Colleagues\nfrom Challenger assisted with the instruction of students. Flight training was\nconducted at Harlem Airport. Aviation ground school and automotive classes were\nheld at Poro College. Mrs. Anne Malone was the Poro College President and had a\nsuccessful cosmetics company. She met Robinson at one of the banquets after his\nreturn from Ethiopia. Impressed with Robinson\u2019s vision and plans for the\nschool, Malone became a major backer of his new venture. In September of 1939,\nthe Illinois Department of Commerce issued a charter to National Air College.\nThis appears to be the first African American aviation school officially\nchartered in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following the war, Selassie invited Robinson to return.\nAfter rebuilding the Ethiopian Air Force, he formed Ethiopian Airlines.\nRobinson died in an air crash in 1954.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame honors John Charles\nRobinson for his contributions to Illinois and American aviation as an aviation\npioneer, and for his ground-breaking efforts in providing flight training for\nAfrican American pilots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lt. Col. Stephen (Steve) Willis, USAF Ret.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephen Willis<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nSteve Willis is a flight instructor at the Mt. Vernon\nOutland Airport. He served in the United States Air Force from 1969 thru 1997,\nflying F-4 Phantoms and F-16 Falcons and then serving as an instructor pilot.\nFollowing his tours of duty, he returned home to the Mt. Vernon area and became\ndeeply involved with airport activities and flight instruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Willis is current president of EAA Chapter 1155 at Mt. Vernon,\nwhere he leads the chapter in the restoration of a Pietenpol aircraft. He also\ndirects the local Chapter Build & Fly Program for young aspiring pilots to\ngain building knowledge. Additionally, he served as Explorer Post 1155 Leader\nfor youth, again working to encourage young people in acquiring aviation\nknowledge and experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steve has also participated in Rend Lake RC Club activities\nand Angel Flights. He participates in EAA Young Eagles activities as both a\npilot and event coordinator and works with the EAA Chapter to assist with\ncoordination at the AirVenture Cup Races and Midwest LSA Expo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. Willis is also active in community programs, including\nthe local Lions Club, Gideons, Meals on Wheels, and Central Christian Church.\nHe also is very active in the local Honor Guard, providing military recognition\nto those who served in the Armed Forces and have passed on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame honors Lt. Col Willis for\nhis contributions to Illinois aviation as a flight instructor and mentor, and\nfor his contributions to EAA Chapter 1155 and other Mt. Vernon civic\norganizations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spirit of Flight Award – EAA Chapter 1155 at Mt. Vernon, Illinois<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThis year\u2019s Spirit of Flight Award will be presented to EAA\nChapter 1155 of Mount Vernon, Illinois. Spirit of Flight Awardees are selected\nfor their contributions to aviation in Illinois, with a particular emphasis on\nvolunteerism and contributions to the community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
From 1997 to 2012, Chapter 1155 hosted the Little Egypt\nFly-In and Veterans Reunion at Mt. Vernon Outland Airport. The free event\nfeatured Young Eagle flights and an opportunity for veterans of all conflicts\nto gather and share stories with future generations. At the height of the\nevent, the ramp contained nearly 25 warbirds (retired and current) and over 75\ngeneral aviation aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EAA Chapter 1155 assisted with the Balloons Over Mt. Vernon\nevent occurring over the same weekend at the Little Egypt Fly-In and Veterans\nReunion. Balloons Over Mt. Vernon occurred from 2013 to 2018,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beginning in 2013 and occurring every other year, EAA 1155\nhas provided ground support duties at the EAA AirVenture Cup Race at Mt. Vernon\nOutland Airport. Over 100 aircraft participate. EAA Young Eagle flights were\nconducted at all events mentioned above. The Chapter continues to offer at\nleast one Young Eagle rally each year. To date, EAA Chapter 1155 has safely\nflown over 3500 Young Eagle missions! The Chapter has also hosted two very\nsuccessful Flying Start events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps the biggest contribution of EAA Chapter 1155 is\ntheir work at the annual Midwest LSA Expo. For three days each September, EAA\nChapter 1155 members conduct all manner of volunteerism at this national\naviation event. Starting at set up and ending at teardown, the “Orange\nShirt Crew” handles Unicom\/air traffic monitoring, aircraft marshalling,\nramp safety patrols, and water delivery. Midwest LSA Expo enters its 14th year\nin 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame commends EAA Chapter 1155\nfor their efforts hosting and supporting the many events at Mt. Vernon Outland\nAirport, and for their support of the Young Eagles program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame has announced the 2022 inductees and Spirit of Flight Awardee, and will honor its inductees at their annual banquet, to be held on June 16, 2022, at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign, Illinois. Inductees include: Doug Kimmel Donald Kirlin John Charles Robinson Lt. Col. Stephen […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22341","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-illinois"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateaviationjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22341","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateaviationjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateaviationjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateaviationjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateaviationjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22341"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/stateaviationjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22341\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22348,"href":"https:\/\/stateaviationjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22341\/revisions\/22348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateaviationjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22341"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateaviationjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22341"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateaviationjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22341"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Doug-Kimmel.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Donald-Kirlin.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/John-Charles-Robinson.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Lt-Col-Stephen_Steve_Willis.jpg\")