by Ed Leineweber
Aviation was a big part of Don and Wilma Julson’s life together for more than 60 years. Wilma is a pilot as well (notice her earrings!). Federal Aviation Administration official William Law of the FAA Milwaukee FSDO presented Don Julson with the “Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award” at a recent ceremony at Tri-County Regional Airport, Spring Green, Wis. Law, himself about to retire from the FAA after a long career, once taught chemistry and physics at the Richland Center High School, and worked part-time for Julson at the airport.
There’s an old saying in aviation that goes, “There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots.” If “bold” is understood to mean “foolhardy,” then this bit of folksy wisdom is undoubtedly true. But if it means “professionalism, skill and aviation expertise,” then long-time commercial pilot, flight instructor, aircraft mechanic and airport operator Don Julson disproves the old saw.
After more than 60 years in the pilot’s seat without a single accident or mishap in an airplane, Don Julson capped off his career as an aviator recently when the Federal Aviation Administration’s coveted Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award was bestowed upon him at a ceremony at the Tri-County Regional Airport near Lone Rock, which Don operated from the mid-1950s to the mid 1970s.
The requirements for the Wright Brothers award are rigorous, and only a few pilots ever achieve this honor. In addition to an unblemished record as a pilot for more than 50 years, fellow aviators familiar with the award recipient’s flying history must make written recommendations supporting the honor.
Don Julson earned his private pilot certificate in 1946 at the age of 20. He went on to add additional certificates as a commercial pilot, flight instructor, aircraft mechanic and pilot examiner. He holds both instrument and multi-engine ratings on his pilot and instructor certificates, as well as an Inspection Authorization on his mechanic’s certificates. Don put all of these privileges to good use during his long aviation career, first at Morey Airport in Middleton, Wisconsin, and later at the Lone Rock airport.
Early on Don married Wilma, herself a commercial pilot. They met at the airport, of course! Wilma received the Spouse’s Award pin at the same ceremony.
After retiring from active involvement in the aviation business, Don and Wilma operated the Flying-J Campground near Gotham for more than 20 years. In 2001, Don published his memoirs, entitled “Fifty Years of Flying Fun,” an entertaining account of the author’s “good fortune to fly during the best years of aviation.”
Today, Wilma and Don live adjacent to the Richland Airport in Sextonville, where Don can be seen on a daily basis, visiting with the pilots and watching the aviation activity, which has been such a large part of their lives for more than 60 years.
