Foil: 14 Panel: Retired United Pilots Association Column: 3 Line: 5

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
D. B. Toeppen

Donald Berkeley Toeppen, Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) 289223

From scratch, built numerous models of World War I (WWI) aircraft.

First flight at age 10, 1928 in a Ford Trimotor at Glenview's Curtis Reynolds Airport, Glenview, Illinois, later to become Glenview Naval Air Station (NAS).

Press Box "Go-fer" at the 1933 Air Races at Glenview.

Attended all flight demonstrations at local airports and frequently cut school with a close friend to visit both Glenview and Sky Harbor, Dundee Road, Northbrook.

Upon graduation from University of Illinois, started buying time at Sky Harbor.

Though called to active as a 2ndLt Horse Cavalry after Pearl Harbor, was medically discharged because of a "wired clavical."

Was able to enlist in Army Air Force program producing liaison pilots. Before graduation, the program went through numerous changes dependent on the needs of the service. Graduation was from Central Training Command Flight Instructors Course, Randolph Field, Texas.

Assigned to the 314th AAFTD (Army Air Force Training Detachment) in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Taught Army Primary Cadets in the Fairchild, PT-19. School closed in 1944, as we had enough pilots.

Upon release, was hired by United Airlines, June 2, 1944 as a copilot.

In 1947, promoted to Captain in DC-3 equipment.

From 1950 on, was qualified in the DC-4, Convair 340, DC-6, DC-7, Caravelle S.E. 210, Boeing 720, DC-10.

Created Pilots Speakers Panel for United Airlines.

In 1961 appointed Flight Manager (check pilot).

Also appointed United's representative on the local Air Transport Association (ATA).

Appointed to the ATA Snow Committee at O'Hare.

About 1962, appointed Chairman ATA Snow Committee, continuing through retirement in 1977.

In 1963, appointed Flight Operations Manager for United at O'Hare.

In 1964, appointed Regional Director, Flight Operations at O'Hare.

Retired 1977 at age 60 as required by Federal Aviation Regulations.

In May 1977, hired as Chief Pilot and Director of Operations for Condor Enterprise. Because of excessive insurance bills, this operation terminated about 1980.

There followed a succession of affiliations with FAR 135 operators, all of which were under financed and terminated operation.

After the Condor operation, started an affiliation as a contract free-lance pilot with Advance Wire Products, which continued for 10 years when the company was sold, as was the corporate airplane.

From 1977 on, worked as a volunteer in the restoration of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Ford Trimotor with Dick Wagner and his IA Mechanic, Tom Soerens, now with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at the DuPage Flight Standards District Office.

Continued working with the Wagner group Tuesday nights restoring antique airplanes until moving to Arizona.

Flew corporate for Advance Wire Products as a free-lance pilot for approximately 10 years.

In Arizona, flew as a volunteer for the EAA Young Eagles Program.

Continue to maintain a flight instructor's license, and instrument proficiency.

Continue as a member of the Board of Directors of the United Airlines Historical Foundation and the United Airlines Pilots Retirement Foundation.