Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame 2022

Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine June/July 2022 Digital Issue

CHAMPAIGN, ILL. – The 2022 Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame will be held Thursday, June 16, 2022, at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center, Champaign, Illinois. Inductees will include Doug Kimmel, Donald Kirlin, John Charles Robinson, and Lt. Col. Stephen Willis, USAF Ret. The 2022 “Spirit of Flight Award” will be presented to EAA Chapter 1155 of Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Doug Kimmel has served as director of the Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois (formerly Williamson County Airport) located at Marion, Illinois since 1998. He has worked tirelessly to improve airline and air cargo service in southern Illinois and has guided the airport through a major runway extension, and the development of the airport’s new modern terminal building. The airport’s Essential Air Service provider, Cape Air, now provides service to both Nashville and St. Louis.

Under Kimmel’s direction, the airport has become a place to honor our veterans. Founded in 2016, Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois regularly organizes Honor Flights for veterans, taking groups of veterans to Washington D.C. Kimmel has served on the board of Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois since its inception. In addition to Honor Flights, Kimmel worked with others to bring airshows to the airport. The airshows occurred from 2000-2004 and then again in 2006.

Donald Kirlin is the founder and owner of Air USA, a United States government contractor that provides an impressive array of tactical aircraft services to the U. S. defense agencies, defense contractors, and foreign governments. He is said to own the “world’s most advanced private air force.” He is an ATP-rated pilot and flight instructor, rated in the Boeing 737, Cessna Citation, L-39, L-59, British Hawk, MiG 21, MiG 29, and is also an authorized instructor for the Experimental L-39, L-59, British Hawk, MiG 21, and MiG 29. He is also an A&P mechanic and an avid sport skydiver.

Kirlin was the organizer and promoter of the World Free Fall Convention. The World Free Fall Convention was, at the time, the largest gathering of skydivers from around the world and was held annually for 17 years, 1990 to 2001 in Quincy, Illinois and 2002 to 2006 in Rantoul, Illinois.

In 2000, the World Free Fall Convention drew 5,700-plus registrations, people from all 50 states, and 55 different foreign countries. During a 10-day period, there were over 63,000 jumps made. Also, there were 450-plus tandem jumps, 15 Accelerated Free Fall students passed, and $7,400.00 was raised for various local charities.

John Charles Robinson (1903-1954) was an African American aviator who led the way for generations to follow. In 1931, Robinson and his colleague, Cornelius Coffey, became the first black Americans to receive their Aircraft and Engine Certification from Curtiss-Wright Aeronautical College (CWAU).

Concerned with sharing the joys of aviation with his peers, Robinson recruited and trained pilots and mechanics first at CWAU, and then formed the Challenger Air Pilots Association. To conduct flight training, Robinson and the Challengers built the first African American-owned and operated airport in the Chicago suburb of Robbins. Unfortunately, the hangar which housed the club’s aircraft collapsed in the winter of 1933, damaging their airplanes, and resulting in the closure of the airport.

Fred and William Schumacher were brothers who owned and operated Harlem Airport at 87th St. and Harlem Avenue. After Robbins Airport became inoperable, the Schumacher brothers invited Robinson and Coffey to Harlem. Now that Challenger had a place to go, they still didn’t have a hangar or any facilities. Throughout the main flying season, they sponsored many airshows and demonstrations, sightseeing rides, dances, dinners, and any other fundraisers they could. It took perseverance, but the Challengers eventually had their own hangar and several used aircraft restored to flying condition.

Wanting to expand aviation training beyond Chicago, in 1934 Robinson visited his alma mater, Tuskegee Institute, urging them to establish an aviation program. Although they turned down his request, he planted the seeds that later blossomed into the Tuskegee Airmen.

The Challenger Association continued to be a major factor for African American aviation in Chicago until 1939 when it was reorganized with a much wider scope as the National Airmen’s Association of America (NAAA).

In August 1935, Robinson left Chicago for Ethiopia to support their fledgling air force against the Italian fascists seeking to colonize the country. His skills impressed Emperor Haile Selassie and he became head of their air force. Sadly, the country was unable to stand the Italian onslaught. When the country fell the following year, Robinson returned to Chicago, and in 1939, he started the John C. Robinson National Air College and School of Automotive Engineering. In September of 1939, the Illinois Department of Commerce issued a charter to National Air College. This appears to be the first African American aviation school officially chartered in the U.S.

Following the war, Selassie invited Robinson to return. After rebuilding the Ethiopian Air Force, he formed Ethiopian Airlines. Robinson died in an air crash in 1954.

Lt. Col Stephen (Steve) Willis, USAF Ret. is a flight instructor at the Mt. Vernon Outland Airport. He served in the United States Air Force from 1969 thru 1997, flying F-4 Phantoms and F-16 Falcons and then serving as an instructor pilot. Following his tours of duty, he returned home to the Mt. Vernon area and became deeply involved with airport activities and flight instruction.

Willis is current president of EAA Chapter 1155 at Mt. Vernon, where he currently leads the chapter in the restoration of a Pietenpol aircraft. He also directs the local Chapter Build & Fly Program for young aspiring pilots to gain building knowledge. Additionally, he served as Explorer Post 1155 Leader for youth, again working to encourage young people in acquiring aviation knowledge and experience.

Willis has also participated in Rend Lake RC Club activities and Angel Flights. He participates in EAA Young Eagles activities as both a pilot and event coordinator and works with the EAA Chapter to assist with coordination at the AirVenture Cup Races and Midwest LSA Expo.

This year’s Spirit of Flight Award will be presented to EAA Chapter 1155 of Mount Vernon, Illinois for its contributions to aviation in Illinois, with a particular emphasis on volunteerism and contributions to the community.

EAA Chapter 1155 was organized in 1996. The chapter’s mission is to further aviation in southern Illinois.

From 1997 to 2012, EAA Chapter 1155 hosted the Little Egypt Fly-In and Veterans Reunion at Mt. Vernon Outland Airport. At the height of the event, the ramp contained nearly 25 warbirds (retired and current) and over 75 general aviation aircraft.
Perhaps the biggest contribution of EAA Chapter 1155 is their work at the annual Midwest LSA Expo.

For reservations, visit the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame website: ilavhalloffame.org. Email questions to groverdkb1@comcast.net or call Tom Cleveland at 815-895-2102.