Viewing page 4 of 8

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

J.M. Kabitski
Early Wright Instructor - Test Pilot

J. Wm. Kabitski was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 18, 1885, and began working in aviation as a mechanic in Chicago late in 1909. 

He entered the Wright School at Dayton, Ohio in early April,1912, where he was taught to fly by Al Welsh, and obtained his license, No. 126, there on May 23, 1912. Continuing practice flying at Simms Station, he did odd jobs for the Wright Company during the early summer months. 

In August, 1912, the Wright Company sent him to College Park, Maryland, to demonstrate airplanes for them before government officials. He did so well the company kept him there through September and October, demonstrating new types and putting planes through acceptance tests. In early October he was sent to St. Louis, Missouri, to fly at an air meet there. On October 12th he wrecked a Wright hydro while flying on the river at St. Louis, capsizing while trying to get off the water, but was not injured. Following the meet he returned to College Park, where he remained on test work into November. 

On December 21st he was made chief instructor of the Wright winter school, which was located in Augusta, Georgia. In February, 1913, he again did some demonstrating and test flying for the Wright Company at their winter quarters at Atlanta, Georgia, incising the small Army Speed Scout. 

That summer he left the Wright Company, bought a Wright plane, and in early August established himself at Cicero Field, Chicago, carrying passengers and doing cross-country taxi flying, continuing there for the rest of the season. 

He apparently gave up flying after the 1913 season closed, and became associated with the Moon Machine and Electric Works in Chicago, where he remained for several years. 

J. Wm. Kabitski was a member of the Early Birds, a pioneer airman, and died in 1944. His name appears on the Wright Memorial Plaque at Dayton along with the others who learned to fly there.