Capt R. John Wisda

Foil: 14 Panel: Retired United Pilots Association Column: 1 Line: 8

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:
Capt. Robert John Wisda

Personal:
- Birth: March 15,1920, Rawlins, Wyoming, USA. Located in Los Angeles, California in 1929.
- Attended Loyola High School and Loyola University.
- Married to Elizabeth Ann Craig - Purdue University Graduate and Homecoming Queen.

Children:
- James Craig Wisda, MBA, University of Southern California. Wife Valorie, BA, University of Southern California. Employed by Pardee Construction Company as Vice President.
- John Dudley Wisda, BA, University of Southern California. Wife Charlotte (deceased). Employed by Coldwell Banker, Real Estate, Sales.
Grandchildren:
- Bryan Craig Wisda, Senior, Arizona University, Business.
- Natalie Cameron Wisda, Senior, Palos Verdes HS, Cheerleader (Captain).
- Anna Sinclair Wisda, Graduated Loyola Marymount University - Class of 1999, Psychology.
- Charles Robert Wisda, Senior, Bonaventure High School, Loyola Marymount University first choice for college, (plays soccer)

Past offices held:
- President - OX-5 Aviation Pioneers, Southern California Wing.
- President - Tracy Aces, Ltd.
- President - Loyola University Alumni Association.
- President - Topanga.CA, Chamber of Commerce.
- President - St. Monica's HS Booster Club.
- President - Donald Douglas Museum and Library.
- Director - Rotary Club of Santa Monica.CA, (Paul Harris Fellow).
- Vice-President - Toastmasters Club 21 of Santa Monica, CA.
- Director - Navy League of Santa Monica, CA.
- Director - Catholic Youth Organization of Santa Monica, CA.
- Member - Grand Jury, Los Angeles County, CA (1982-1983).
- Member - Los Angeles County Commissions - Six years.
- Member - Various Committees in the Air Line Pilots Association

Investments: Real Estate - Land, home, commercial property.

Hobbies:
- Golf, Tennis, Sailing, Writing.
- Light Airplane Flying:
-- First Airplane Flight, October 4,1925, Rawlins, WY in a Lincoln Standard Tourabout, the aviator was Charles A. Lindbergh.
-- First formal flight instruction, in 1940, at California Flyers, Mines Field, under the sponsorship of the Civil Pilot Training Program and Loyola University of Los Angeles. Supervised by the Dean of Engineering Daniel E. Whelan, graduate of M.I.T. Completed all five progressive courses.

Career:
- Hired by United Air Lines, November 10, 1941, as a co-pilot trainee at Tracy, California; graduated and assigned as co-pilot on DC-3 aircraft, May, 1942, to Chicago, Illinois.
- During World War II flew as co-pilot on regularly scheduled airline trips as well as Military Transport Service charters within the United States. Flew C-87 aircraft (cargo and passenger version of the B-24) in the South Pacific for the Air Transport Command. Injuries suffered, due to aircraft malfunction while transporting Japanese prisoners of war, necessitated rest and recuperation for eight months, 1943-44.
- Promoted to Captain, March 15, 1945, for United Air Lines in Chicago, Illinois. Transferred to Los Angeles domicile in 1952 to live in Santa Monica, Calif.
- Aircraft flown: Many light airplanes; Boeing 247, DC-3, C-87, DC-4, DC-6, DC-7, DC-8, Boeing 377. Flew Boeing 747, Los Angeles to Hawaii islands during the final ten years of a delightful profession as a pilot. Retired from United Air Lines, March 15, 1980. Total flight hours: 30,000. Total Miles: 10,000,000.
- Set United Air Lines speed records: 1949 CHI-LGA, DC-3; 1959 PDX-LAX, DC-7; 1960 SEA-LAX, DC-8; 1964 BAL-LAX, DC-8; 1965 LAX LAX-EWR, DC-8.
- Honorable Discharge USAF August 2, 1943.