Antique Airplane Association
Encyclopedia
The Antique Airplane Association, Inc. (AAA) is the oldest antique airplane association in the world. The AAA formed in August of 1953 by Robert L. Taylor
, via a classified ad in Flying
magazine and a few people with a deep-seated interest in old airplanes, for the purpose to fly, to preserve, to share and to promote the early flying machines.
The AAA operates from Antique Airfield
in Blakesburg, Iowa
and serves as the headquarters for its 50 chapter organizations and 7000 members from throughout the United States and 20 foreign countries.
Founder and president of the national Antique Airplane Association as well as current Chairman of the Board of the closely affiliated Airpower Museum
Inc., Taylor states on the national club website "At that time (1953) no other association existed that had a specific interest in antique and classic airplanes. No aviation historical groups had yet been formed. The AAA was organized to "Keep the Antiques Flying" and this basic premise has always been our main interest and primary function. We do provide our membership with aviation history and memories of the important parts our own members have played in this fascinating subject.".
In the 1960s, the remaining parts stock for LeBlond
aircraft engines were sold to the AAA. There are a few parts left, but mostly what's left are engine drawings.In 1970 the AAA Board of Directors approved the necessary changes required of the AAA in order to be chartered as a non-profit corporation in the state of Iowa and has operated as such since that time.
Robert L. Taylor
Robert L. Taylor, born in Ottumwa, Iowa in 1924, is the founder and president of the Antique Airplane Association Inc. as well as co-founder and Chairman of the Board of the Airpower Museum with which organization he shares ownership of Antique Airfield in Blakesburg, Iowa.For the majority of...
, via a classified ad in Flying
Flying (magazine)
Flying is an aviation magazine published since 1927 . It is read by pilots, aircraft owners, and aviation-oriented executives in business and general aviation markets worldwide....
magazine and a few people with a deep-seated interest in old airplanes, for the purpose to fly, to preserve, to share and to promote the early flying machines.
The AAA operates from Antique Airfield
Antique Airfield
The Antique Airfield is a private use airfield located three miles northeast of Blakesburg, Iowa. The Antique Airfield is owned and operated by Robert L. Taylor and the Airpower Museum. Antique Airfield is the home of the Antique Airplane Association, Inc., the Airpower Museum, Inc., and the APM...
in Blakesburg, Iowa
Blakesburg, Iowa
Blakesburg is a city in Wapello County, Iowa, United States. The population was 374 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Blakesburg's longitude and latitude coordinatesin decimal form are 40.962817, -92.636044....
and serves as the headquarters for its 50 chapter organizations and 7000 members from throughout the United States and 20 foreign countries.
Founder and president of the national Antique Airplane Association as well as current Chairman of the Board of the closely affiliated Airpower Museum
Airpower Museum
The Airpower Museum is a aviation museum located on the of an Antique Airfield near Blakesburg, Iowa. The Airpower Museum was founded by Robert L. Taylor and the Antique Aircraft Association in 1965 and features various periods of aviation through models, engines, propellers, photos and original...
Inc., Taylor states on the national club website "At that time (1953) no other association existed that had a specific interest in antique and classic airplanes. No aviation historical groups had yet been formed. The AAA was organized to "Keep the Antiques Flying" and this basic premise has always been our main interest and primary function. We do provide our membership with aviation history and memories of the important parts our own members have played in this fascinating subject.".
History
The AAA of the late 50s was incorporated by Ken Cook, at the time serving as the AAA vice president. During this time Cook published a new version of the AAA News and would later rename it the American Airman magazine. In 1961, Cook withdrew his involvement with the AAA.In the 1960s, the remaining parts stock for LeBlond
LeBlond Aircraft Engine Corporation
LeBlond Aircraft Engine Corporation was a small engine manufacturer incorporated on April 11, 1928 and located on the northwest corner of Madison and Edwards Roads in Norwood, Ohio as a subsidiary of the R. K. LeBlond Machine Tool Company in Cincinnati, Ohio, a well known manufacturer of machinist...
aircraft engines were sold to the AAA. There are a few parts left, but mostly what's left are engine drawings.In 1970 the AAA Board of Directors approved the necessary changes required of the AAA in order to be chartered as a non-profit corporation in the state of Iowa and has operated as such since that time.