1895-1967 |
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Photo from collection of Lester Bishop Courtesy of David Balanky |
Photo from collection of Lester Bishop Courtesy of David Balanky |
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Photo from collection of Lester Bishop Courtesy of David Balanky |
Photo from collection of Lester Bishop Courtesy of David Balanky |
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Secretary Charles Arens first started in aviation in 1911, building model airplanes. He became a charter member of the Illinois Model Aero Club in 1912, flew model planes at the Cicero Field in Chicago. In the fall of 1915 he started to build a tractor biplane, using a three cylinder Anzani motor. He finished the plane in the summer of 1916, after which it was tested and flown considerably by Matty Laird. In the fall of 1916 he soloed his plane at Ashburn Field in Chicago. In December 1916 he started to work for the L. W. F. Co. of College Point, Long Island, New York, as mechanic. He was with them seven years until they went out of business in 1923. In that time he had the opportunity to work on the first plane to fly with an eight cylinder Liberty motor. He flew as mechanic with Allen Adams, test pilot for L. W. F. Eng. Co. and was injured in the crash that took Adam's life. He also worked on and flew as mechanic on the L. W. F. Owl, built for the U. S. Government. The Owl was powered with three Liberty twelve cylinder motors. In 1923 after the closing of L. W. F. Eng. Co. he returned to Chicago and started to work for Matty Laird, then went to work for C. D. Dickinson as mechanic on the Chicago-Minneapolis Air Mail Line, A. & E. license number 240. While with the L. W. F. Eng. Co. he developed a throttle control for a motor test stand, which was the beginning of the present Arens Controls Co. Inc., of Evanston, Illinois, and Arens Controls Ltd. of Croydon, England. In 1944 he resigned as President of Arens Controls, Inc. At the present time he is retired to a wonderful community in Indiana --- Winamac --- but must say he is plenty busy with community activities. |
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Charles Arens was present at the installation of a plaque which honored Gen. Frank P. Lahm. For the whole story, just click on: Charles Arens You may use the "Find" function on "Arens" |
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He died in 1967 Birthdate courtesy of Joe Gertler Date of death from The Early Birds of Aviation Roster of members, January 1, 1966 Back 
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