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BERNARD (BENNY) L. WHELAN

Early Wright Pilot - Instructor - Airport Manager Corporation Executive

Bernard L. Whelan was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 19, 1890, Later his parents moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he attended St. Mary's College, now the University of Dayton. After graduating he began his business career in the Sales Department of the National Cash Register Company.

In Dayton Whelan became interested in the early aviation developments of the Wright Brothers and watched their progress through those pioneering years. Whenever possible he would go out to their flying field at Simms Station and observe many of their famous early flights. From the roof of a downtown office building, Whelan saw Orville Wright make his historical first flight over the city of Dayton on September 22, 1910. Whelan was so thrilled on this momentous occasion that he firmly resolved to learn to fly, but was not able to sell his father on the idea until the Spring of 1913. During this time, Whelan made the acquaintance of Wright aviator J. Clifford Turpin, who invited him to come out to the field some time for a ride. He accepted Turpin's invitation which naturally greatly increased his determination to make aviation his career. 

Whelan joined the early spring class at the Wright School in May, 1913, and started training in June, along with Maurice Priest, John Bixler, M. Schermerhorn, Rod M. Wright, A. Bowersox and A. Bressman, and was taught to fly by instructor Oscar Brindley. Whelan proved to be an exceptionally apt pupil and soloed on the eighth day after starting his instruction. He obtained his pilot license, No. 247, there on July 16, 1913, on a school Wright. After completing his flying course, he started flying exhibition engagements for William Gabriel and worked for him through 1915.

In 1916, Whelan became a Signal Corps civilian flying instructor at Wilbur Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, and Ellington Field, Houston, Texas. He remained in this service until mid-summer of 1917, then joined Howard Rinehart on the staff of test pilots for the newly formed Dayton-Wright Company at Dayton, Ohio, where