Glen A. Gilbert Collection

This collection consists of a seven volume set representing a partial documentation of Gilbert's contribution to ATC development. The material was compiled by Gilbert's wife after his death in 1982. The collection also includes two books by Gilbert on air traffic control.

Glen A. Gilbert (1913-1982), pilot, administrator and aviation consultant, played a key role in the development of the United States and international Air Traffic Control (ATC) System. Following his graduation from the University of Wisconsin, Gilbert went to work in commercial aviation, including periods at Northwest Airways (communications installation and operations, flight operations, (1931-34)), and American Airlines (Communications Supervisor, 1934-36). During this period he helped develop and operate collision-avoidance procedures for aircraft operating under instrument conditions until this service was taken over buy the federal government. Gilbert became the first Director of the United States ATC System (Chief, Airway Traffic Control Section, 1936-40; Chief ATC Division, 1940-46) during which time he represented the United States at a number of international conferences on aviation and played a key role in the formation of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 1944. He then became Special Assistant to the Administrator of Civil Aeronautics (1946-1951), where he continued his involvement with international aviation issues, often under commission for the President or Secretary of State. In 1951, Gilbert became an aviation expert for ICAO (1951-57) and later founded Glen Gilbert and Associates (1957), an aviation consulting firm. Gilbert co-authored 28 patent claims for airborne and ground equipment to improve ATC safety and efficiency and wrote a number of books and articles on the subject.