Viewing page 36 of 37
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
150 h.p., air-cooled aircraft engine. Called the "Early Bird," Waterman made the initial flight on July 1, 1964, the 56th anniversary of his first flight at San Diego. After almost three years of personal enjoyment with the "Early Birds" the plane was retired to the San Diego Aero-Space Museum on September 20, 1967, after an accumulated 114 hours of flying time. In the fall of 1966, Waterman completed a display replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer for the Gilmore Museum of Transportation at Kalamazoo, Michigan. On July 1, 1959, the San Diego Historical Society dedicated a plaque to Waterman and placed it on a monument at the site of his first 1909 glider experiments to commemorate his extensive contributions to aviation engineering research and the building of aircraft. On January 21, 1967, he was presented the "Man of Distinction Award" in the field of aviation by a civic group at San Diego. Waterman holds numerous patents on aircraft and automotive devices. As of March 1, 1968, he became a Senior currently-licensed FAA Commercial Pilot, 58 years and 8 months following his first solo flight. Waterman was one of the founding members and a past president of the Early Birds and held a Life Membership in this most distinguished organization. He also held membership and served on the staffs of the following aviation fraternities: The Southern California Chapter of the National Aeronautic Association, the Professional Pilots Association, and the California Air Industries Association. He was an Associate Fellow of the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences, a charter member of the American Helicopter Association, a member of the OX-5 Club, and was "Mr. OX-5" in 1961. Waterman was an Honorary Member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Antique Aircraft Association, and the San Diego Aero-Space Museum. He was also an Honorary Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, and in 1968 was elected and inducted into the International Aerospace Hall of Fame. Waterman's final home-built aircraft was a copy of one that appeared in the 1909 [[underline]] Popular Mechanics Magazine [[/underline]] in which he was first airborne. He gave that to the National Air and 9
