Ernie Hall
Ernest C. "Ernie" Hall (1890-1972) was an American aviator. To the people of his hometown, Warren, Ohio, Hall was recognized as "Mr. Aviation", having been active in all facets of aviation longer than anyone else in the world. His service included 50 consecutive years of active engagement in aviation.[1]
Early life and career[edit]
Hall was born on October 31, 1890. At a young age, Hall found an interest in aviation. "My desire to fly must have been born in me", Hall said.[2]
Hall was born in Gustavus, Ohio, but his family moved to Warren during Hall's childhood. [3]
From a very early age, Hall saved articles and news accounts in his aviation booklet. During his youth, Hall experimented with model gliders. In 1911, Hall built and flew his own airplane.
"His first airplane he made out of chicken wire and paper mache’. And he copied the Bleriot airplane from France is what he copied," said Warner Taiclet, the vice-president of the Howland Historical Society, in a piece published by local news affiliate WFMJ.[4]
After years of experience as a flight instructor and engineer, Hall eventually established his own flight school in 1915. It was established in Conneaut. Following the establishment of his first school, Hall joined the Aviation Section of the Army Signal Corps at McCook Field in Dayton.
Shortly after establishing his flight school in Conneaut, Hall was transferred to Call Field in Wichita Falls, Texas. Call Field served as one of several military fields in Texas. During his service as an instructor, Hall trained nearly 500 cadets by the end of the World War I training period.[3]
During his instructional career, Hall trained two future Air Force Generals: Lt. Albert J. Price and Jimmy Doolittle. Price was one of Hall’s WWI military students, who trained at Call Field. [2]
Honors, achievements and recognition[edit]
Following his service as a flight instructor during WWI, Hall was appointed as the State of Ohio Director of Aeronautics. According to his biography at the Ernie Hall Aviation Museum in his hometown of Warren, "his background and vast knowledge on aviation would prove invaluable to the promotion and advancement of aviation in the state." [2]
Shortly before World War II and during his career as Ohio's aeronautics director, Hall flew former Governor Martin L. Davey on numerous business trips.
In addition to his services in aviation, Hall was recognized as a member of the "Early Birds," a group that included the Wright Brothers, whom Hall met, assisted with projects and received instruction from as early as 1912.[3]
In the 1930s, Hall's efforts in aviation were receiving recognition across the country. At the 1938 birthday party of Orville Wright in Dayton, Hall met Henry Ford, Charles Kettering and Harvey Firestone. [2]
Later in life, Hall received honors at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. by the United States Air Force. Around this time, he was named as an elder of the Silver Wings Fraternity, in 1961.
Hall's original, 1911 monoplane, which had been displayed first at the Smithsonian Air Museum, now resides in Dayton at the U.S. Air Force Museum. [3]
Throughout his life, Hall continued to teach flying, staying active in aviation longer than anyone in history. [1]
Legacy[edit]
Hall died on December 6, 1972.[3]
In 2013, the Ernie Hall Aviation Museum was established. A year later, a replica of the school and hangar once operated by Hall was constructed.
"Ernie Hall died in 1972 and it seemed like his legacy kind of disappeared over the years," said Bill Griffin, the late museum director. "We wanted to make sure that he's remembered forever, and for the next generation and generations to come."[4]
The Ernie Hall Museum currently houses various collectibles, displays, pictures and models that depict aviation history. The museum has played host to several events and shows since its inception.[5]
In addition, the museum includes memorabilia dedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen.[6] The site of the Ernie Hall Museum is now dedicated as an Ohio Historical Marker.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "World's Oldest Active Pilot Ernie Hall Honored by American Airlines". Tribune Chronicle. 1971-03-20.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Ernie Hall Aviation Museum – Ernie Hall Biography". erniehallaviationmuseum. Retrieved 2019-03-20.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Late Ernest Hall Pioneered Aviation- Trumbull Fair to Honor Flyer". The Vindicator. 1976-07-25.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Vesey, Steve. "Ernie Hall's aviation legacy lives on". WFMJ. Retrieved 2019-03-20.
- ↑ "Ernie Hall Aviation Museum – Our Mission". erniehallaviationmuseum. Retrieved 2019-03-20.
- ↑ "Tuskegee Airmen mementos from the Ernie Hall Aviation Museum". CAF Red Tail Squadron. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
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