1911-1997
| Sep 10, 1911 | Huron | Cromwell Dixon flew in Huron in a Curtiss Pusher which he brought to the State Fair. He was killed a short while later in same plane at Washington State Fair [photos in Daily Plainsman 6/23/85 & Huron Revisited] | Daily Plainsman 6/23/85 Huron Revisited p196 |
| Aug 1912 | Huron | 3 planes filmed at State Fair doing stunts | Huron Revisited p195 |
| May 1914 | Rapid City | Weather Bureau office moved to Federal Building (Post Office) at 8th & St. Joseph. Observations taken twice daily | Rapid City NWS History |
| Oct 10, 1917 | Watertown | Air Show held | Public Opinion 6/6/79 |
| 1918 | Huron | Weather Bureau office in Post Office. Montello E Blystone, Meteorologist | City Directory |
| 1919 | Huron | First plane in Huron owned by Merle Hagen and Charles Ward, a Curtiss JNFD2. Based at Walter E Smith field adjacent to corner of Idaho and 12th | Daily Plainsman 6/15/80 |
| Jun 1919 | Huron | Aero Rapid Transit begins operating from first airport at 9th St. and the Fair Grounds [see 1920] | Huron Revisited |
| Aug 1919 | Watertown | Walter Cooke, a music store owner, purchased 2 planes and established first airfield near present location of stadium. Cooke and another pilot flew exhibitions and had, possibly, the first pilot training school in the Midwest. Night landings accomplished by "following the lights on Kemp Ave." | Public Opinion 6/6/79 |
| 1920 | Huron | Aero Rapid Transit changes name to Huron Aerial Rapid Transit with Curtiss biplane owned by EG Alley and flown by Merle Hagen and Charles Ward | Daily Plainsman 6/23/85 |
| Enos G Alley was a high school student in 1918, a student at Huron College in 1922 and 1924 and a teacher in 1926. Merle Hagen was a clerk for Robinson Shoe Co. in 1922 and a grocer in 1924, and Charles Ward is clerk for JC Decker in 1922, but not listed in 1924 | City Directory | ||
| Enos Alley was a freshman at Huron College during 1919-1920. He's in the yearbooks in both 1922 (21-22) and 1923 (22-23) as a Junior and he graduated in 1924 [It looks like he might have taken a year off. If he did that to try and establish Aero Rapid Transit it must have been during the 1921-1922 time frame] | Huron College Yearbooks | ||
| 1921 | Aberdeen | First municipal airport in state established by TriState Fair Association, Yellowstone Aerial Association and Security Skycraft Corporation on 100 acres of TriState Fairgrounds north of Aberdeen. Had north-south and east-west "half mile runways", hangers, oil and gas, and repair services. Security Skycraft Corporation of Fargo and Aberdeen "offered scheduled transport at $.50 per mile" with 5 planes. | Brown County History p401 |
| 1921 | Huron | Huron Aerial Rapid Transit now operating from Myer's Landing strip located a half mile south of fairgrounds and 2 miles west of river on 160 acres 1280x2560 feet. Transit was headed by EG Alley as president. Others using the field were: Ft Pierre Aero Club and Curtiss Airplane Northwest Airplane Company of Minneapolis [sic] | Daily Plainsman 6/23/85 |
| 1921 | Rapid City | Clyde Ice moved to Rapid City and formed partnership in Rapid Air Lines with Walter and Russell Halley. Halleys wanted to build airports in every town over 5,000 population. Within a few years they had airports from Wolf Point, Montana to central Iowa. The Halley's had 300 acres in north Rapid City just where Interstate 90 now runs (between Rushmore Road and the LaCrosse Street exit). Rapid Airlines had two fields (just smoothed pastures) Halley Airport #1 was to the north and Halley Airport #2 was to the south. | Sky Trails p36 |
| 1923 | Aberdeen | Aberdeen hosted first fly-in meet in South Dakota | Brown County History p401 |
| 1923 | Ferney | Chester Wage built a kit airplane and a landing strip on his farm near Ferney. Named operation Dakota Airplane Co. | Brown County History p401 |
| 1925 | Huron | Walter E Smith field abandoned due to number of accidents | Daily Plainsman 6/15/80 |
| 1925 | Ferney | Dakota Airplane Co. (Chester Wage) had 4 planes | Brown County History p401 |
| 1926 | Washington | Under the Air Commerce Act of 1926 the Secretary of Commerce was empowered to examine and rate airports. Top rating was A1A. in order to receive the top rating an airport was required to have a windsock, drainage, repair facilities, lights, 2500 feet in all directions and 24 hour service. [Nothing said about runways] [see 1930 & 10/14/33] | Conquest Of The Skys p119 |
| 1926 | Huron | Merle Buck established a passenger hopping service using a long wing Eagle Rock ("rubberwing"). Plane later burned in prairie fire (Merle Buck's occupation was listed as musician in the 1926 City Directory) | Daily Plainsman 6/15/80 |
| Oct 7, 1926 | Huron | Aviation school started | Daily Plainsman 6/23/85 |
| 1927 | Aberdeen | Ole Fahlin, one of Chester Wage's employees at Dakota Airplane Co., moved to Aberdeen and began manufacturing propellers [see 2/3/28 & 3/24/28] | Brown County History p401 |
| Jan-27 | Rapid City | Rapid Air Lines Incorporated | Public Opinion 4/26/29 |
| 1927 | Rapid City | Standard Oil Company advertising by flying Ford Trimotor through North and South Dakota gives Clyde Ice the idea of getting a Trimotor and barnstorming | Sky Trails p39 |
| Jul 1, 1927 | Washington | Department of Commerce took over responsibility for facilities developed and maintained by Post Office: 2612 miles of transcontinental airways, all lighted except the portion from Salt Lake City-San Francisco. Also acquired the Aeronautical Radio Service which Included 17 fully equipped radio Stations with 44 personnel, 68 emergency landing fields with caretakers, 21 emergency landing fields (automatic), 21 electric beacons with caretakers, 79 electric beacons (automatic), 405 acetylene gas rotating beacons (automatic), and 102 airway operating personnel | Cleared To Land! |
| Sep 1, 1927 | Pierre | Charles Lindbergh Stops in Pierre | Public Opinion 4/27/29 |
| [photo of Spirit of St. Louis, dated 9/1/27] | Hughes County History p23 | ||
| 1928 | Huron | Airport constructed at its present location with 4 runways, each 2500 feet, gas tank and pumps | Huron Revisited |
| Jan 11, 1928 | Winnipeg | Captain PT McCarty announced to the Winnipeg press that International Airways would be opening a Winnipeg-Omaha route with 30 days. Stops would Include Grand Forks and Watertown (branch to Minneapolis) [see 7/25/29 entry] | Public Opinion |
| Feb 3, 1928 | Aberdeen | Miss Vuriel Young of Redfield moved to Aberdeen to take up aviation. Instructor is Ole Fahlin formerly a member of the Royal Swedish Air Corps | Huronite 2/3/28 |
| Feb 28, 1928 | Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls Airport Holding Co. is looking at a site on the SW side of the city for an airport | Huronite 2/28/28 |
| Mar 3, 1928 | Huron | First mention of plans to establish a daylight airway from LaCrosse to the Black Hills. Also mentions airway from Omaha-Yankton-Huron-Aberdeen | Huronite 3/13/28 |
| Mar 21, 1928 | Huron | Airway had been approved by Department of Commerce | Huronite 3/21/28 |
| Mar 23, 1928 | Huron | Among those planning to attend meeting (rally) for North West Airway through Huron are the Governor of South Dakota, a delegation from the Minneapolis Civic and Commerce Association, Walter Halley of Rapid Airlines, members of Dakota Airways Company of Sioux Falls | Huronite 3/23/28 |
| Mar 24, 1928 | Aberdeen | JW Malmquist, Director, and Ole Fahlin, Chief Pilot, of Aberdeen School of Flying visited Huron | Huronite 3/24/28 |
| Mar 24, 1928 | Huron | CR Smith, acting for the Huron Chamber of Commerce, leased 80 acres of land at present location of airport. Plans are to acquire an additional 24 acres and construct a 2650x600 E-W runway on the north side of the tract and a 2650x1320 N-S runway on the west side. Airport would be large enough to get a class A rating from Dept of Commerce | Huronite 3/24/28 |
| Mar 30, 1928 | Huron | Rally held. Began at 3pm with school of airport construction held on the mezzanine room of the Marvin Hughitt hotel. Main event banquet in evening. Governor WJ Bulow and Harry H Blee, chief of the airport section of the Department of Commerce were principal speakers. 10 aircraft were at the landing field by noon with additional aircraft expected, including the Standard Oil Ford Trimotor, Stanoline. Over 200 people were registered for the event. | Huronite 3/30/28 |
| Apr 10, 1928 | Huron | Northwest Airways rally was held to support of the formation of the air line to run from LaCrosse to the Black Hills. Prize contest announced seeking a name for the air mail route | Huronite 4/10/28 |
| Apr 10, 1928 | Groton | Jack Hollister, Aberdeen pilot, crashed into a telephone pole trying to land near Groton. He was flying an Eagle Rock with 2 passengers. | Huronite 4/11/28 |
| Apr 12, 1928 | Mitchell | Story about Mitchell airport: Mitchell's airplane landing field leased, marked and initiated this week by Spirit of South Dakota the Stansky ship. The markings can be seen from the air 20 miles or more. The field to be listed with Department of Commerce. Located 2 west 1/2 north of city | Huronite 4/12/28 |
| Apr 13, 1928 | Miller | A farmer came into Miller from his farm 27 north and had George Ice fly himself and a mechanic back to fix the farmer's tractor | Huronite 4/13/28 |
| Apr 17, 1928 | DeSmet | The DeSmet Commercial Club endorsed establishing a landing field in DeSmet. Noted that it would be half way between Huron and the "new" field at Midway on North Western Airway | Huronite 4/17/28 |
| Apr 19, 1928 | Brookings Volga | Midway was a park and recreation area consisting of a quarter section 1.5 miles east of Volga with the Big Sioux River winding through. It Included a ball diamond, picnic area, cafe, roller rink, golf course and airport. ML Leib moved his hanger, "large enough to accommodate the freight planes of the time", from Volga. A place to eat and sleep was provided for aviators. He purchased 3 American Eagle planes and provided flight instruction. Map of airport was published in Argus leader and Volga Tribune. | Brookings County History p246 |
| May 1, 1928 | Huron | Airport improvement construction started | Huronite 5/1/28 |
| May 4, 1928 | Huron | Huron Air Lines, Inc. established. Purchased an Eagle Rock aircraft with plans to buy another within a few weeks. AM Urquhart, pres, Ralph N Jones, Dr BH Sprague, SN Buck, vice presidents and AK Gardner, secretary/treas. Plans were to build hanger and start flying school. General Manager was Merle Cornell who was in Army Air Corp and had been field manager for Rapid Air Lines in Rapid City. Chief mechanic Wilbur Ames, formerly of Rapid Air Lines. Pilot school in charge of Charles Aagard with Merle Buck as relief pilot. Charles Aagard had also come from Rapid Air Lines. | Huronite 5/4/28 |
| May 16, 1928 | Yankton | Local business men have secured 70 acres, adjoining the State Hospital on the west, for an airport. 4 runways will be constructed with hangers on the west end of the field. | Huronite 5/16/28 |
| May 28, 1928 | Detroit | Clyde Ice took delivery of Rapid Air Lines Ford Trimotor built 3/1/28-5/1/28. cost was $50,000 with $10,000 down. He named the plane Wamblee Ohanko (which means "Swift Eagle") | Sky Trails p41-43 |
| Sep 5, 1928 | Watertown | City postpones plans to purchase land for airport | Public Opinion |
| Sep 6, 1928 | Watertown | George Ice announces plans to base Pionair Lines, Inc.. at Watertown using 2 Eagle Rock and 1 Curtiss Standard aircraft | Public Opinion |
| Sep 21, 1928 | Watertown | City acquired land for airport. Quarter section 1 mile north of Kemp Ave. Plan to have 8 runways radiate on the cardinal & semicardinal points of compass from 100 foot circle at the exact center | Public Opinion 9/22/28 |
| Land for airport was leased from Midland National Life Insurance Co. and sublet to Pionair Lines, Inc.. | Public Opinion 6/6/79 | ||
| Sep 28, 1928 | Minneapolis | Mid-Planes and Transit Co. of Minneapolis announced that Universal Air Lines plans Fargo-Cleveland service | Public Opinion |
| Oct 22, 1928 | Watertown | Runway construction complete. 8 runways 660x250 feet radiate from center circle. Hanger is under construction | Public Opinion |
| [same as above and]...Two hangers were built by end of the year | Public Opinion 6/6/79 | ||
| Dec 1928 | Huron | First two metal hangers, each 39x48 feet built by Rapid Air Lines | Daily Plainsman 6/23/85 |
| Dec 10, 1928 | Vermillion | Map of South Dakota airports prepared by Students at USD. Airports already built: Aberdeen, Dell Rapids, Huron, Midway [near Volga], Mitchell, Mobridge, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Tyndall and Watertown. Airports planned or in construction: Belle Fourche, Florence, Lead, Madison, Redfield, Vermillion, Webster and Yankton | Public Opinion |
| Dec 12, 1928 | Huron | Meeting held in Huron with representatives from Aberdeen, Belle Fourche, Chamberlain, Huron, Mitchell, Pierre, Redfield, Sioux Falls, Vermillion, Watertown and Yankton to discuss possible legislation to affect aviation during the next State legislature | Public Opinion |
| Dec 20, 1928 | Watertown | Advertisement for Pionair Lines, Inc..: LEARN TO FLY PHONE 2966 BOX 71 WATERTOWN, SDAK | Public Opinion |
| Jan 28, 1929 | Minneapolis | Proposal by investors to organize Northwest Transport Company to operate airline and be a holding company for the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad. To be an Air-Rail operation, coast to coast | Public Opinion |
| Feb 22, 1929 | Watertown | Pionair Lines merged with Rapid Air Lines. Rapid Air Lines took over the airport lease | Public Opinion |
| Apr 1929 | Pierre | Governor WJ Bulow proclaimed April 29-May 4 "South Dakota Aviation Week" during which the Rapid City, Pierre, Huron and Watertown airports would be dedicated | Public Opinion 6/6/79 |
| Apr 27, 1929 | Washington | Department of Commerce announces plans for a radio system for aviators to obtain weather information at any hour, day or night, from scheduled broadcasts. Aircraft with less than 6 passengers will be required to have receive only, 6, or more, passenger aircraft must also have transmitter. There are presently 52 companies flying 40,000 regularly scheduled miles a day. 15,000 of these are at night | Public Opinion |
| Apr 27, 1929 | Pierre | Lead Story about 4/30/29 Pierre airport dedication: "Used and personally approved by Col. Charles A Lindbergh during his overnight Stay in the South Dakota Capitol in September 1927, the Walter J Smith Airport Park will be dedicated April 30...." | Public Opinion |
| Apr 29, 1929 | Rapid City | Rapid City airport dedicated as Halley Field after Walter and Russell Halley [bankers and partners with Clyde ice in Rapid Airlines] | Public Opinion |
| Apr 30, 1929 | Pierre | Pierre airport dedicated as Walter J Smith Airport Park | Public Opinion 4/27/29 |
| May 1, 1929 | Huron | Huron airport dedicated. First regularly scheduled airliner to take off in South Dakota departed Huron-Rapid City at 9:20am. It was a Ryan 5 passenger aircraft piloted by Ed Heffley of Rapid Air Lines | Public Opinion |
| Rapid Airlines later abandoned [apparently after 1930... see 1930 Huron] this route for lack of passengers, but Halleys maintained a terminal for sales, instruction and passenger hopping | Huron Revisited | ||
| May 1, 1929 | Philip | ...flights from Rapid City-Huron Included stops at Philip and Pierre. [this probably didn't start till later ... see 8/8/29] | Hughes County History p22 |
| May 1, 1929 | Pierre | ...flights from Rapid City-Huron Included stops at Philip and Pierre. The airport was below the buttes on old Highway 14 across from Snake Butte | Hughes County History p22 |
| May 2, 1929 | Watertown | Watertown airport dedicated. First mail plane departed at 8:30am to Huron for connection to Rapid City. Army pilots from Ft Riley, Kansas say "best in state" | Public Opinion |
| George Ice, chief pilot of Pionair Lines was airport manager. 5000 people turned out for barbecue, air show and dance. 29 planes took part in ceremonies. | Public Opinion 6/6/79 | ||
| May 5, 1929 | Watertown | First intercity air race in South Dakota (Watertown-Sioux Falls) was won by Lee Parrish of Redfield in Travelair with a 52 minute time. Second was Harry Welmer of Sioux Falls in a Fairchild. Third was Oscar Winchell of Watertown in a Monocoupe | Public Opinion 5/4/29 & 5/6/29 |
| Jul 1929 | Pierre | State weather bureau added data relative to meteorological conditions along the transcontinental air route. [This makes little sense, but was copied exactly from the source] | Daily Plainsman 6/23/85 |
| Jul 25, 1929 | Washington | WL Glover, 2nd assistant Postmaster General said studies were underway on a proposed air mail route Omaha-Sioux Falls-Watertown-Fargo-Grand Forks-Winnipeg | Public Opinion |
| Aug 8, 1929 | Philip | Special meeting of Chamber of Commerce aviation committee to discuss changing the airline route from Rapid City to Watertown. Club complemented on their field and Mr. George of Rapid Airlines stated the interest taken by the club and the American Legion would assure [Philip] of a daily passenger schedule service by 9/1/29. Dorothy Brothers Garage, the Fill-Up station and the Whippet Garage were appointed as transportation agents. | First Half Century p110 |
| Sep 19, 1929 | Watertown | Map of Watertown airport Included in 7/19/29 National Airway Bulletin issued by Department of Commerce Aeronautic Division. Chamber of Commerce, as sponsor of the airport, has prepared a pamphlet listing gas, oil, mechanic's services and hanger space as available | Public Opinion |
| Oct 1929 | Watertown | William Mehlan is Pionair Lines, Inc.. manager in Watertown | Public Opinion |
| Star air mail route from Watertown-Milbank begins operation. Pionair Lines using enclosed 4 place Cessna for service | Public Opinion | ||
| Oct 19, 1929 | Watertown | Pionair Lines Cessna [see 10/1/29] burns in Iowa after engine catches fire in flight | Public Opinion |
| Nov 30, 1929 | Vermillion | Air Transportation class at USD preparing an airport map of South Dakota to be ready by 1/1/30 | Public Opinion |
| Dec 4, 1929 | Brookings | A rotating beacon is to be placed on Coughlin campanile at SDSU. A stationary beacon will point at Brookings airport 5.5 miles west and a half mile north of the campanile. | Public Opinion |
| Dec 5, 1929 | Watertown | James Bruns passed the flight examination to obtain a pilot's license [see 4/21/30] | Public Opinion |
| Dec 17, 1929 | Watertown | Pionair Lines conducting night flights over city in Eagle Rock plane. Using "strong" landing lights to land on unlighted field | Public Opinion |
| 1930 | Cheyenne | Wyoming Air Service organized | Airways p387-388 |
| 1930 | Washington | Members of the Independent Scheduled Air Transport Operator's Association were Hanford TriState Airlines of Sioux City and Rapid Air Transport of Omaha | Airways p261 |
| Only 2 airports (Denver, Colorado and Pontiac, Michigan) surveyed under the Air Commerce Act of 1926 [see 1926] had received a top rating of A1A [see 10/14/33] | Conquest Of The Skys p119 | ||
| 1930 | Huron | [in early 1930's] Ken Neville and Austin Lytle started Huron Flying Service | Huron Revisited |
| Weather Bureau office in Post Office. Montello E Blystone, Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| Airport: A government recognized and approved airport is located one mile north of the city limits, with 24 hour passenger and refueling service. | City Directory | ||
| Among the first of South Dakota cities to establish a standard airport in accordance with federal regulations and specifications. A spacious landing field, equipped with hangers and other accessories is located at a convenient point north of the city. Every facility for pleasure and commercial flying is afforded. A Chicago & The Black Hills passenger service is maintained by the Chicago & North Western Railroad and The Rapid Air Lines, Inc.. Passengers may travel from Chicago to Huron by train and then take a plane to Rapid City. This service is daily as is the service between Watertown and Huron. | Huron of the Sunshine State | ||
| Mar 1, 1930 | Watertown | Pionair Lines pilot Roy Leggett on mail run Watertown-Milbank is forced down near Troy while flying Eagle Rock open cockpit plane in storm. [departed in what sounded like severe icing conditions][see 9/2/33] | Public Opinion |
| Mar 4, 1930 | Watertown | Ralph Hubbard, formerly of Watertown, Sales Manager for Aviation Management, Inc.. of Omaha, operator of Pionair Lines, Inc.. is in Watertown. He is making arrangements for 3/5/30 Chamber of Commerce meeting at which Walter F Halley, president of Aviation Management, will be guest to promote expansion of aviation in Watertown. | Public Opinion |
| Mar 5, 1930 | Watertown | Donald Halley outlined plans for expansion and development of airport and extension of his company's route from Watertown-Rapid City-Cheyenne and development of a route from Winnipeg-Omaha. Ralph Hubbard is to remain in Watertown for the next 6 months to assist William McCall in expansion projects at the airport Also at the meeting were William McCall - Pionair Lines, Inc.. manager in Watertown, Sid Burke - Pionair pilot/instructor at Watertown, LC Pierce and Ted Ashford - Aviation Management Inc.. pilots from Omaha. | Public Opinion |
| Mar 22, 1930 | Watertown | Pionair Lines, Inc.. added a Ryan Brougham 5 place monoplane with a 225 HP air-cooled engine. Aircraft is equipped with latest type of instruments: compass, air speed indicator, altimeter and turn & bank indicator | Public Opinion |
| Mar 24, 1930 | Watertown | A letter mailed in Omaha on 3/21 at 8:30pm arrived in Watertown at 2:15pm [17.75 hours]. Route was by train from Omaha-Minneapolis-Milbank and by air from Milbank-Watertown | Public Opinion |
| Apr 3, 1930 | Aberdeen | Nick Mamer, vice-president of Mamer Air Corporation, was in Aberdeen seeking support for a Minneapolis-Spokane route. The Aberdeen city commission is taking steps for a bond issue to build a suitable airport | Public Opinion |
| Apr 4, 1930 | Omaha | Walter Halley, president of Rapid Air Transport, announced that they plan to begin Omaha-Des Moines-Davenport-Chicago, Omaha-Minneapolis, and Omaha-Lincoln-Denver service on 6/1/30 if the Omaha-Kansas City service which began 3/31/30 proves successful. | Public Opinion |
| Apr 21, 1930 | Watertown | First major accident at Watertown takes the lives of James Bruns, private pilot and mechanic for Pionair Lines, and 19 year old Selmer Halvorson of Bradley. They crashed 3 miles west of Watertown on south side of Highway 212 [see 12/5/29] | Public Opinion |
| Apr 22, 1930 | Watertown | Officials of Rapid Air Lines and Pionair Lines meet in Watertown: Walter Halley of Omaha (president), John Miller of Rapid City (manager of branch there) and JS Gehan of Sioux Falls (chief pilot) | Public Opinion |
| Apr 23, 1930 | Watertown | Department of Commerce inspector from Chicago is unable to determine cause of 4/21/30 crash [sounded like stall-spin] | Public Opinion |
| May 1, 1930 | Pierre | First reported stolen aircraft in South Dakota. Oscar Winchell of Creighton, Nebraska, formerly of Watertown, accused of stealing plane belonging to CM Johnson of Sycamore, Illinois. Winchell was supposed to fly the plane from Pierre-St. Lawrence and never showed up | Public Opinion 5/1/30 & 5/2/30 |
| May 17, 1930 | Watertown | Article about aviation in Watertown says: "Ralph Hubbard, representative of the Pionair and Rapid Air Lines and other Halley interests in Watertown...." | Public Opinion |
| May 17, 1930 | Minneapolis | Minneapolis Journal reports that Minneapolis Civic and Commerce Association is seeking approval of a Watertown-Rapid City air mail route | Public Opinion |
| May 22, 1930 | Watertown | First annual "Into the Air Days" are scheduled 5/31 & 6/1 | Public Opinion |
| May 24, 1930 | Vermillion | South Dakota has 34 airports and 6 beacons. A new map has been completed at USD by EP Rothrock, State Geologist, and ME Kirby, draftsman | Public Opinion |
| Jun 3, 1930 | Watertown | Into the Air Days were canceled both 5/31 and 6/1 due to windy weather | Public Opinion |
| Jun 10, 1930 | Aberdeen | Voters approve $20,000 bond issue to purchase 150 acres at present site of airport | Public Opinion 6/11/30 Brown County History p401/402 |
| Jun 19, 1930 | Watertown | The Watertown-Milbank mail contract was won by an individual who plans to use an automobile | Public Opinion |
| Jun 27, 1930 | Washington | Weather Bureau announced plans to have hourly weather reports gathered by teletype for 13,000 miles of airways beginning around July 1st. Remaining 5,000 miles would have information gathered by telephone or telegraph less frequently | Public Opinion |
| Jul 22, 1930 | Aberdeen | Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce announced that Mamer Air Transport would receive a certificate of authorization from the Department of Commerce Aeronautics Department before 8/15/30 | Public Opinion |
| Jul 28, 1930 | Watertown | Article about aviation in Watertown says: "...Watertown branch of Rapid Air Lines..." | Public Opinion |
| Jul 28, 1930 | Howard | A 16 year old girl and 8 year old boy (Cecil and Clarence Erfman) fell 600 feet from a plane piloted by Merle Perrigo, Rapid Air Line pilot from Huron, while taking a ride at Howard. Kids weren't strapped in | Public Opinion |
| Plane was caught by turbulence and flipped over. Perrigo was almost thrown from plane but managed to crawl back in. The 8 year old boy landed on head in a garden, girl landed in a tree. Seat belts were not required at the time | Daily Plainsman 6/23/85 | ||
| Jul 29, 1930 | Watertown | New runways completed. Runways 150 feet wide [no info on length] still radiate in 8 directions with the center circle marked by a 6 foot wide white line. Airport can accommodate planes taking off or landing at speeds up to 60 mph. | Public Opinion |
| Aug 8, 1930 | Watertown | Article about busy day at the airport "...8 aircraft" | Public Opinion |
| Aug 18, 1930 | Sioux Falls | Plans being made for Sioux Falls Air Fair to be held 9/1-9/4 at the Soo Skyways airport SW of city | Public Opinion |
| Sep 18, 1930 | Watertown | Paul Miller, a student pilot at Watertown since Oct 29 passed check ride in Sioux Falls | Public Opinion |
| Oct 3, 1930 | Watertown | WJ McKenzie, a Washington DC airport specialist, inspected airport and gave advice for improvements. Also present for the inspection were Ralph Hubbard, manager of Pionair Lines and Walter Halley, of Omaha, President of Rapid Air Lines, of which Pionair is part | Public Opinion |
| Oct 10, 1930 | Regent | Thomas Strickler, of Miles City, pilot for Mamer Air Transport killed near Regent, North Dakota enroute from Aberdeen-Miles City | Public Opinion |
| Oct 18, 1930 | Bryant | Two pheasant hunters from Illinois ran low on fuel due to strong northwest winds and landed near Bryant | Public Opinion |
| Oct 27, 1930 | Watertown | A wasp powered Bellanca 6 passenger plane, one of the largest planes ever in Watertown, was at the airport over the weekend with pheasant hunters | Public Opinion |
| 1931 | Huron | Student broke lower back, left leg and arm in an accident | Daily Plainsman 6/23/85 |
| Dec 30, 1931 | Watertown | Boeing Air Transport announced plans for airline service to Watertown using Boeing 40-B-4 planes. Ralph Hubbard, airport manager, to be in charge of passenger business. | Public Opinion |
| Jan 1, 1932 | Washington | Airport statistics: 656 municipal airports, 675 commercial airports, 364 Dept. of Commerce intermediate fields, 310 marked auxiliary fields, 52 Army fields, 13 Navy fields, 4 state fields, 1 government field. 610 airports are equipped for night flying. | Public Opinion 2/17/32 |
| Jan 11, 1932 | Washington | 3 routes are proposed from Minneapolis-Spokane: Watertown-Aberdeen-Miles City-Billings-Butte-Missoula, Fargo-Devils Lake-Minot-Havre-Great Falls-Helena, Fargo-Jamestown-Bismarck-Glendive-Billings-Butte-Missoula. | Public Opinion |
| Jan 12, 1932 | Watertown | Boeing Air Transport setting up station in Watertown. Due to weather they had to take train from Omaha. | Public Opinion 1/12, 13, 14 & 16/32 |
| Jan 16, 1932 | Watertown | United Airlines...had to take over the unprofitable route from Omaha to Watertown, South Dakota. At the time of this extension the Watertown route was being flown by three small lines... | Airways p202 |
| Boeing air Transport of United Airlines begins service. [map] [This issue has a major article with map and pictures] Based on the map the air mail routes in the region were Minneapolis-Fargo-Grand Forks-Pembina-Winnipeg, Minneapolis-Fargo-Valley City-Jamestown-Bismarck-Mandan, Des Moines-Omaha-Lincoln-North Platte-Cheyenne-Rock Springs-Salt Lake, Omaha-Sioux City-Sioux Falls-Watertown, Salt Lake-Ogden-Pocatello-Butte-Helena-Great Falls. | Public Opinion | ||
| Mar 26, 1932 | Watertown | Ralph Hubbard announced that Hanford TriState of Sioux City would begin Sioux City-Minneapolis service on 4/1/32 | Public Opinion |
| Jun 22, 1932 | Watertown | Advertisement for United Airlines: Serving 137 cities. Fares as follows: Sioux Falls $5.82, Sioux City $10.14, Omaha $15.54, Chicago $41.52, Denver $51.89, Detroit $55.08, Cleveland $57.43 (train from Chicago), Salt Lake City $69.78, Los Angeles $108.96, San Francisco $111.30, Portland $113.32. Tickets: United Airlines or Hubbard Motor Car Company. | Public Opinion |
| 1933 | Washington | Department of Commerce Aeronautics branch changed name to Bureau of Air Commerce and reorganized to 7 regional offices in Newark, Atlanta, Chicago, Fort Worth, Kansas City, Los Angeles and Seattle. | Cleared To Land! |
| Jan 1, 1933 | Huron | Daytime weather observations begun at airport. [don't know who was taking them, official observations still in city] | NWS Station History |
| Mar 24, 1933 | Watertown | Ralph Hubbard forms the Watertown Airway Corporation to operate the airport. | Public Opinion 6/6/79 |
| Apr 12, 1933 | Watertown | United Airlines Monomail (single engine, 8 place, metal, 70+ foot wing span) visits city. To be used on Omaha-Watertown run when needed. | Public Opinion |
| Ralph Hubbard, airport manager, mentioned airport improvements: Runways graded and big red barn moved. | Public Opinion | ||
| Jul 10, 1933 | Watertown | United Airlines officials visit Watertown in new twin engine Boeing 10 passenger plane. | Public Opinion |
| Latest airport improvements: Runways graded and marked with wide bordering strips of gravel. | Public Opinion | ||
| Jul 11, 1933 | Washington | Department of Commerce report has the Omaha-Watertown air mail route on a list of routes to be eliminated. | Public Opinion |
| Jul 11, 1933 | Pierre | Wind storm demolished the hanger at Pierre. Two planes wrecked and one damaged. | Public Opinion |
| Jul 18, 1933 | Washington | Eugene Vidal, native of South Dakota, named Department of Commerce Assistant Director of Aeronautics in charge of imposition of regulations. [see 7/1/36] | Public Opinion |
| Jul 27, 1933 | Omaha | Paul Selby, of Omaha, vice-president of Rapid Air Lines suggests that Rapid Air Lines get air mail route from Omaha-Sioux City-Aberdeen. | Public Opinion |
| Aug 30, 1933 | Watertown | Airport inspected by Department of Commerce | Public Opinion |
| Sep 2, 1933 | Watertown | United pilots get pay raise: Base pay of $1,600 the first year up to a maximum of $4,000 plus flight pay. Expenses paid when away, insurance and 2 week paid vacation. Hourly flight pay: $4.00 for aircraft under 125mph, $4.20 under 140mph, $4.40 under 154mph, $4.80 under 176mph. Additional $2.00 at night. Copilots paid $195-$235 per month. | Public Opinion |
| Sep 2, 1933 | Chicago | Roy Leggett of Omaha, former Rapid Air Lines pilot in Watertown, was killed in accident at air race in Chicago. [see 3/1/30] | Public Opinion |
| Sep 25, 1933 | Watertown | United Airlines planning to use 6 passenger plane in Omaha-Watertown service [see 4/12/33] | Public Opinion |
| Oct 14, 1933 | Watertown | Department of Commerce assigned Watertown airport a rating of "D3X": D identifies equipment and mechanical facilities, 3 indicates size of airport, X indicates the field is not lighted. The only other airport in South Dakota with a rating is Sioux Falls. [see 1926 & 1930] | Public Opinion |
| Nov 27, 1933 | Watertown | Chamber of Commerce looking into possibilities of using CWA (Civil Works Administration) funds to build a hanger at the airport. | Public Opinion |
| Dec 2, 1933 | Pierre | Geodetic survey of South Dakota planned with CWA funds | Public Opinion |
| Dec 20, 1933 | Watertown | City Council approves contract with Watertown Airport, Inc.. as required to secure CWA funds. [CWA probably required that airports be operated as a municipal facility in order to receive funds] | Public Opinion |
| CWA approves $28,850 for 100x100 foot brick hanger, 18 feet high with steel roof and door. Funds also to "dustproof" the NW-SE and E-W runways with gravel and tarvia. Other runways would also be upgraded. First airport project approved in South Dakota | Public Opinion | ||
| Dec 29, 1933 | Watertown | Geodetic survey of Watertown area begins | Public Opinion |
| 1934 | Washington | Rapid Air Lines bid for mail contract from Winnipeg-New Orleans, but contract was given to United Air Transport. This was part of the scandal that led to cancellation of all mail contracts and the Army flying the mail. [see 2/29/34 & 4/13/34] | Sky Trails p145-146 |
| 1934 | Huron | Airport: A government recognized and approved airport is located one mile north of the city limits, with 24 hour passenger and refueling service. Huron is located on north-south and east-west air mail routes, with daily air passenger and mail service | City Directory |
| Weather Bureau office in Post Office. BR Laskowski, Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| Jan 15, 1934 | Watertown | Construction of stone hanger commenced [approximate date] | Public Opinion |
| Jan 15, 1934 | Pierre | Donald A Hess of Watertown is named Airport Engineer for South Dakota by Ralph McKinnon, State Supervisor of Airports under CWA. Hess had been employed by the State Highway Department as an engineer. [see 9/17/34] | Public Opinion |
| Jan 16, 1934 | Huron | $1,680 in CWA funds approved for Huron Airport | Public Opinion |
| Jan 24, 1934 | Washington | WW Howes [Huron native] appointed 1st Assistant Postmaster General | Public Opinion |
| Jan 27, 1934 | Watertown | Contracts awarded for materials for construction of hanger. Side walls about 4 feet above the ground | Public Opinion |
| Jan 29, 1934 | Minot | Group meeting in Minot trying to get an air mail route established Watertown-Minot-Great Falls | Public Opinion |
| Jan 31, 1934 | Watertown | Stone hanger progressing. Expect lumber for project to be shipped within a week | Public Opinion |
| Feb 9, 1934 | Watertown | United Airlines announces they expect to continue flying into Watertown as a passenger service only | Public Opinion |
| Feb 9, 1934 | Washington | All air mail contracts canceled. | Public Opinion |
| Feb 9, 1934 | Pierre | Ralph McKinnon, director of Civil Works Administration for South Dakota, announced plans to establish airways and build airports every 50 miles along the airways. The only sanctioned airways in South Dakota are Sioux Falls-Minneapolis and Watertown-Sioux City. Proposed airways are: Huron-Pierre, Pierre-Mobridge-Bismarck, Rapid City-Belle Fourche-Sheridan, Rapid City-Hot Springs-Edgemont-Cheyenne, Sioux City-Yankton-Mitchell-Huron-Aberdeen, Sioux Falls-Mitchell-Pierre-Philip-Rapid City, Watertown-Aberdeen-Mobridge-Lemmon-Miles City, Watertown-Minneapolis, Watertown-Fargo, Watertown-Huron. Existing airports near the routes are: Beresford; Brookings, Forest City, Garretson, Highmore, LaPlant, Madison, Milbank, Redfield, Volga and Webster. Proposed airports are: Artesian, Buffalo, Bowdle, Cannistota, Clark, Crocker, Dupree, Emery, Estelline, Faulkton, Flandreau, Gann Valley, Gary, Gettysburg, Ipswitch, Isabel, McIntosh, McLaughlin, Midland, Sisseton, Stephan, Summit, Victor, Wasta, Wessington, White River and Wi | Public Opinion |
| Feb 17, 1934 | Huron | CWA grant received to build 100x90 stone hanger | Daily Plainsman 6/15/80 |
| Mar 5, 1934 | Watertown | United Airlines terminated service due to air mail route cancellation [see 2/9/34] | Public Opinion |
| Mar 15, 1934 | Watertown | 3 weeks work remains on hanger construction | Public Opinion |
| Mar 17, 1934 | Watertown | Ralph McKinnon inspects hanger | Public Opinion |
| Mar 19, 1934 | Washington | Army assumes responsibility for flying air mail | Public Opinion |
| Mar 20, 1934 | Pierre | McKinnon says CWA airport projects are to continue. Cities holding up projects were: Arlington, Buffalo, Cheyenne Agency, DeSmet, Estelline and Wilmot. Hanger work in Watertown to resume 3/21 | Public Opinion |
| Mar 24, 1934 | Watertown | Hanger walls nearly complete. North and west walls complete. 5 wooden trusses to support roof, each weighing 5 tons, are being prepared | Public Opinion |
| 1934 | Washington | Black-McKeller Act of 1934 split up airlines and manufacturers. Boeing took over manufacturing west of Mississippi, United Aircraft took east of Mississippi and United Airlines became independent and the largest air transport company in the country | Conquest Of The Skys p146 |
| Mar 26, 1934 | Washington | Temporary air mail bill passed by Congress | Public Opinion |
| Mar 28, 1934 | Washington | Bids for private air mail contracts called for | Public Opinion |
| Apr 4, 1934 | Watertown | Martin Severson, of Denver, a traffic survey man for Hanford Airlines is in Watertown meeting with Ralph Hubbard | Public Opinion |
| Apr 6, 1934 | Watertown | Trusses are in place on hanger. Doors to be put up in the next few days. Plans being considered for construction of a smaller adjacent structure to serve as an office | Public Opinion |
| Apr 11, 1934 | Pierre | CWA airport projects in South Dakota: Watertown $28,227, Lawrence County $27,472, Huron $22,398, Belle Fourche $18,243, Yankton $17,404, Mitchell $16,619, Rapid City $15,700, Brookings $13,762, Hot Springs $13,347, Sioux Falls $12,250, Edgemont $11,100, Redfield $7,979, Fairburn $7,782, Mobridge $7,534, Edmunds County $5,500, Lemmon $5,000, Garretson $3,875, Pierre $1,897, Wagner $1,784 | Public Opinion |
| 1934 | Aberdeen | WPA improvements at Aberdeen airport during depression Included building hangers and gravel runways | Brown County History p401/402 |
| Apr 12, 1934 | Pierre | Statistics: 77 planes in South Dakota (58 licensed), 88 pilots (39 with transport ratings, 7 limited commercial, 38 private and 4 solo) | Public Opinion |
| Apr 13, 1934 | Washington | United Airlines Omaha-Watertown route is subject of Hanford Airlines testimony at Airmail Hearings. Hanford and Rapid Air Lines assisting each other. | Public Opinion |
| Apr 20, 1934 | Watertown | Roof is on hanger | Public Opinion |
| Jul 3, 1934 | Aberdeen | First official air mail route through Aberdeen begins | Brown County History |
| Jul 3, 1934 | Huron | Hanford TriState Airlines, Inc.. which had bought Rapid Airlines began service Sioux Falls-Huron-Aberdeen-Bismarck | Huron Revisited |
| Sep 1, 1934 | Washington | Statistics reported by Bureau of Air Commerce: 58 planes inspected in South Dakota. 93 pilots licensed in South Dakota | Public Opinion |
| Sep 13, 1934 | Watertown | Watertown trying to get Sioux Falls-Minneapolis air mail route changed to Sioux Falls-Watertown-Minneapolis. Postal officials say it would add too much distance to the route | Public Opinion |
| Sep 17, 1934 | Pierre | Donald Hess, formerly of Watertown, Maynard Stone and Joe Depper killed in a plane crash at Ft. Pierre. Pilot, Stone, was 21 year old high school senior with student permit flying an unlicensed 2 place Curtiss Robin [see 1/15/34] | Public Opinion |
| Sep 20, 1934 | Watertown | Formation of Watertown Air Service, Inc.. announced. Clyde Ice, George Jackson and Glen Davy applied for the charter. Capitalized at $25,000. They have purchased a 6 passenger Travelair | Public Opinion |
| Watertown Air Service Company formed to provide service Rapid City-Pierre-Huron-Watertown-Minneapolis after United terminated service | Public Opinion 6/6/70 | ||
| 1934 | Omaha | Clyde Ice left Rapid Air Lines | Sky Trails p146 |
| 1935 | Watertown | Hanford begins service in Watertown on Huron-Minneapolis route | Public Opinion 6/6/79 |
| Horizontal Control Data for airport station refers to stone hanger, a proposed addition, a fence and a road | Coast & Geodetic Survey | ||
| 1935 | Huron | 120 acres of airport leased from school district. As work had come to standstill on hanger a group of businessmen contracted to buy the land and gave it to the city | Daily Plainsman 6/15/80 |
| Mar 2, 1935 | Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls will be added to the Omaha-Sioux City-Huron-Aberdeen-Bismarck route. Flying aids will be added on the Cheyenne-Minneapolis via Pierre and Huron route. | Public Opinion |
| May 1935 | Watertown | First flight of Watertown Airways took place with Clyde Ice at the controls of a Travelair 6 place transport. Route was Spearfish-Pierre-Huron-Watertown-Minneapolis [see Feb 1936] | Daily Plainsman 6/15/80 |
| Nov 18, 1935 | Watertown | City of Watertown gets deed to airport property from Midland National Life Insurance Co. and grants 30 year lease to Watertown Airport, Inc.. so WPA will approve funding for administration building. [see 1/26-2/6/40 and 8/25/42] | Public Opinion 11/19/35 |
| Dec 7, 1935 | Watertown | Airport property deed transfer recorded | 1968 Open House Brochure |
| 1936 | Huron | Operator: Huron Flying Service: Ralph C Myers, Kenneth Neville | City Directory |
| Airport Manager: Kenneth Neville | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau office in Post Office. BR Laskowski, Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| 1936 | Pierre | Land purchased for airport at present location | ? |
| Feb 1936 | Watertown | Watertown Airways abandoned attempt to establish Spearfish-Minneapolis route [see May 1935] | Daily Plainsman 6/15/80 |
| Jul 1, 1936 | Washington | Bureau of Air Commerce director is Eugene Vidal [see 7/18/33] | FAA Intercom 7/1/86 |
| Jul 6, 1936 | Washington | Air Route Traffic Control Centers, established by airlines at Newark, Chicago and Cleveland, taken over by Bureau of Air Commerce. Additional Centers to be established immediately at Detroit, Pittsburgh, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco | FAA Intercom 7/1/86 Cleared To Land! |
| 1937 | Watertown | Promoters Carrol Lockhart (banker), Ralph Hubbard, Clyde Ice and 3 others bought a used Travelair 6000, 9 passenger plane and decided to establish an air mail route from Black Hills-St. Paul. Clyde flew 6 days a week, both directions every day, for 6 months and barnstormed around Rapid City on Sundays. He only missed part of one trip when he lost an engine, landed at Pierre and took the train to St. Paul with the mail. They had to fly the route for 4 months or more to "establish" the route so the government would bid it. Route was Spearfish-Rapid City-Philip-Pierre-Huron-[Watertown]-Willmar-Mankato-Minneapolis/St. Paul. Contract ended up being awarded to Inland Airlines Spearfish-Huron and Hanford Airlines Huron-Sioux City-St. Paul [Date probably wrong - this probably began in 1935 {see 9/20/34 and May 1935 Watertown items} and ended about Feb 1936 {see Feb 1936 Watertown and 1937 Pierre items}] | Sky Trails p146-147 |
| 1937 | Fargo | Fargo had 4 hard surface runways, but was listed as EFA (Entire Field Available) in 1937 edition of the Airport Directory Company's "Airports" directory | FAA Intercom 9/1/87 |
| 1937 | Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls was an all sod airport according to the 1937 edition of the Airport Directory Company's "Airports" directory | FAA Intercom 9/1/87 |
| 1937 | Huron | Thomas Fortune Ryan bought Hanford and expanded it. He moved the South Dakota terminal from Sioux Falls to Huron [see 2/6/37] | Huron Revisited |
| 1937 | Pierre | Inland Airways came to Pierre [date probably wrong...Inland Airways probably began service about Feb 1936 {see 9/20/34, May 1935, Feb 1936 and 1937 Watertown items}] and Wyoming Air Service began service in Apr 1938 {see 5/27/37 Huron, 3/23/38 Washington, 3/24/38, Apr 1938 Huron and Apr 1938 Pierre items}] | Hughes County History p22 |
| 1937 | Rapid City | Rapid City was an all sod airport according to the 1937 edition of the Airport Directory Company's "Airports" directory | FAA Intercom 9/1/87 |
| Feb 6, 1937 | Huron | Bureau of Commerce directed Hanford to discontinue all South Dakota service except at Huron as it was considered the only safe airport [see 4/4/38 Huron airport improvement item] | Huron Revisited |
| May 10, 1937 | Brookings | Official airway weather observations for "new" Minneapolis-Huron air route were taken by students at state college. Equipment had been moved from Spencer, Iowa and information was sent from Brookings emergency field to Huron airport at 8:30am and 2:00pm each day. Students also rebuilt aircraft as part of mechanics class | Huronite |
| May 10, 1937 | Huron | Construction of stone buildings was in progress. Article mentions date for dedication of airport depends on administration building construction progress | Huronite |
| May 15, 1937 | Philip | Pat Hanlon, 26, and William Mostert, 28, died when Hanlon's Monocoupe dived into ground from 200 feet about 5pm | First Half Century p147 |
| May 27, 1937 | Huron | Wyoming Air Service announced plans to establish passenger service beginning 7/1/37. Plan service to Torrington, Cheyenne, Scotts Bluff, Chadron, Hot Springs, Custer, Spearfish, Rapid City, Lead, Deadwood, Belle Fourche, Pierre and Huron | Huronite |
| Jul 1937 | Huron | Hanger completed and runways improved for cost of $67,000. NW-SE runway gravel 500x3,700 feet, N-S and E-W runways graded and seeded to grass. Administration building completed for $17,000 and furnished by local means. Provided lobby, cafe, and ticket office on first floor. Second floor contained apartment for airport manager (field superintendent), quarters for government weather observers, radio room and observatory for dispatcher | Daily Plainsman 6/15/80 |
| Jul 5, 1937 | Huron | Huron airport dedicated as the WW Howes airport in honor of former Huron lawyer appointed as First Assistant Postmaster General. Speakers were Howes and Captain Eddie Richenbacker. Aircraft Included a TWA Skysleeper, a 25 passenger plane and the largest in use at that time, and an American Airlines 21 passenger Mainliner | Daily Plainsman 6/23/85 |
| 1937 | Huron | Total aircraft operations at Huron during 1937 were 4580 (airlines-1822, transients-258, local 3800) | Huronite 3/23/38 |
| Total passengers served at Huron during 1937 were 12,464 (948 airline, 516 transient, 11000 local) | Huronite 3/24/38 | ||
| Total air express handled at Huron during 1937 was 369 shipments worth $1,086 | Huronite 3/26/38 | ||
| 1938 | Washington | Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) replaced Bureau of Air Commerce. Bureau of Air Mail also integrated into CAA | Cleared To Land! |
| 1938 | Huron | Direct service was provided Bismarck-Huron-Sioux City-Omaha-Kansas City and Huron-Minneapolis | Huron Revisited |
| CAA station located in stone administration building [this could be an error...might be Weather Bureau] | Huron Revisited | ||
| Operators: Huron Flying Service, Mid-Continent Airlines, Inland Airlines. Huron Flying Service: Kenneth Neville, president-manager, AF Lytle, vice-president, EG Youngs, Sec/Treas | City Directory | ||
| Airport Manager: Kenneth Neville | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau: Airport office and City office in Post Office. BR Laskowski, Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| Feb 22, 1938 | Huron | 24 hour weather observations moved to airport | NWS Station History |
| Mar 11, 1938 | Watertown | Omaha-Minneapolis route would Include Sioux Falls-Mitchell-Huron-Watertown | Public Opinion |
| Mar 17, 1938 | Watertown | Article refers to 4 hour trip Watertown-Chicago via Milwaukee on Hanford Airlines and Northwest Airways [apparently Watertown-Minneapolis was on Hanford and the remainder was on Northwest] | Public Opinion |
| Mar 23, 1938 | Washington | Hearings were being held in Washington on placing all Federal Air Regulations in new agency. Need seen to change legislation to provide for development of better airports. Testimony by William Denning of Wyoming Air Service that his company had received authorization for route from Cheyenne-Huron in summer of 1937, but had been unable to begin service, mainly due to landing field difficulties [see 8/19/40] | Huronite 3/23/38 |
| Mar 24, 1938 | Huron | Wyoming Air Service announced service between Cheyenne and Huron. Airmail to begin 4/14/38 [later changed to 4/15 and then delayed] with passenger service to begin 10 days later. They would fly 10 passenger Boeing twins. Hanford is flying 10 passenger twin engine Lockheed Electra. Called the plane a "Chief Liner" | Huronite 3/24/38 |
| Advertisement: Hanford Airlines served [from Huron] Watertown, Aberdeen, Bismarck, Sioux City, Omaha, St. Joseph, Kansas City and Tulsa. Fares were: Aberdeen $3.00, Minneapolis $10.00, Bismarck $9.00 and Omaha $9.00. Great Northern Railroad fares from Huron were: Watertown $1.40, Minneapolis $5.69, San Francisco $37.39, Seattle $32.19, Chicago $12.89 and Fargo $5.83 | Huronite 3/24/38 | ||
| Mar 25, 1938 | Huron | A group headed by EH Bruemmer (Huron Postmaster) formed to get bond issue passed for $39,000 for airport improvements. Money to be matched by government with WPA funds [lists improvements planned]. States that other cities want to be the aviation hub that Huron has become and that Sioux Falls plans to spend $100,000 of their own money to improve the airport there | Huronite 3/25/38 |
| Mar 27, 1938 | Yankton | Airport hanger burns destroying aircraft owned by pilot Robert A Nelson | Huronite 3/28/38 |
| Apr 1938 | Huron | Wyoming Air Service changed name to Inland Air Lines when it ... absorbed Cheyenne-Huron route through Black Hills of the Dakotas [still being advertised as Wyoming Air Service in May 1938 Huron newspapers] | Airways p387-388 |
| Apr 1, 1938 | Drawing of airport shows layout and changes proposed if 4/19/38 bond issue passes [see 4/4/38] | Huronite 4/1/38 | |
| Apr 1938 | Pierre | Inland Air Lines Succeeded Wyoming Air Service on the Cheyenne-Billings run, with another branch up into the Black Hills and thence east to Rapid City and Pierre | Airways p299 |
| Apr 4, 1938 | Huron | Questions/Answers about bound issue for airport improvement. About 50 questions designed to justify bond issue passage. Selected information follows: City owns airport. Present size is 120 acres. Plan to purchase additional 144 acres. Original land purchased for $25/acre from South Dakota Department of Schools and Public Lands which owns entire section. Buildings on airport are hanger, machine shop and administration building. Presently 3 runways, one of which is gravel. NW-SE runway 3500 feet long. E-W and N-S runways are 2500 feet. Improvements would provide 4 runways, the longest 3 paved with 1 Inch bituminous over a 10 Inch base. NW-SE and N-S would be 4300 feet long, E-W would be 3900 feet and NE-SW would be 3600 feet. Improvements are required to meet federal requirements for airline service. some airports have been closed for not meeting requirements (Sioux Falls and St. Paul mentioned). Total cost would be $128,944. $110,818 would come from government through WPA. Of th | Huronite 4/4/38 |
| Wyoming Air Service names Earl Davis as station manager. Service startup date changed from 4/14 to 4/15 or 4/16. Minneapolis-Denver service: Eastbound United Air Lines departs Denver 10:15am MST; Wyoming Air Service departs Cheyenne 11:15am, Rapid City 1:00pm, Spearfish 1:30pm, Pierre 3:50pm CST, Hanford Airlines departs Huron 4:30pm arriving Minneapolis at 6:48pm. Westbound Hanford Airlines departs Minneapolis 10:15am CST, Wyoming Air Service departs Huron 12:25pm, Pierre 12:15pm MST, Spearfish 1:45pm, Rapid City 2:25pm, arrive Cheyenne 2:55pm, United Air Lines departs Cheyenne 6:45pm arrives Denver 7:30pm. Fare from Huron to Denver $30.58, Cheyenne $25.00, Rapid City $15.00, Spearfish $15.00, Pierre $6.00 | Huronite 4/4/38 | ||
| Apr 8, 1938 | Sioux Falls | SIOUX FALLS TO GET AIR BEAM STATION" Bids to be let for $25,000 radio range station to be established in Sioux Falls by fall. | Huronite 4/8/38 |
| Apr 9, 1938 | Washington | Post Office calls for bids on 8 new air mail routes. One is Bismarck-Minot | Huronite 4/9/38 |
| Apr 11, 1938 | Huron | Weather observation stations established to support Wyoming Air Service Huron-Cheyenne route. Stations located at Highmore, Pierre, Milesville, Spearfish, Rapid City, Buffalo Gap, Crawford, Torrington. All except Pierre and Rapid City are under supervision of Huron Weather Bureau, which as requested additional staff | Huronite 4/11/38 |
| Wyoming Air Service personnel installing radios at the airport | Huronite 4/11/38 | ||
| Apr 14, 1938 | Huron | HURON CHEYENNE AIR SERVICE STARTS FRIDAY" Wyoming Air Service to begin. Hanford schedule to change to connect with Wyoming Airline in Huron. | Public Opinion |
| Apr 15, 1938 | Washington | Denis Mulligan succeeds Fred D Fagg, Jr. as director or Bureau of Air Commerce | Huronite 4/15/38 |
| Apr 15, 1938 | Huron | Articles about delay in start of Huron-Cheyenne service | Huronite 4/15/38 |
| INAUGURATION OF AIR LINE HALTED BY RAIN, CLOUDS Rain and low hanging clouds today postponed start of service after trail run yesterday | Public Opinion | ||
| WPA Aviation Mechanic Classes to be moved to airport | Huronite 4/15/38 | ||
| Apr 16, 1938 | Huron | Articles about delay in start of Huron-Cheyenne service | Huronite 4/16/38 |
| OPENING OF HURON CHEYENNE AIRLINE IS PUT OFF AGAIN | Public Opinion | ||
| Apr 18, 1938 | Huron | Wyoming Air Service begins operation | Huronite 4/18/38 |
| 34,670 pieces of mail carried on first flight of Wyoming Air Service | Huronite 4/21/38 | ||
| National air Mail Week scheduled for week of 5/15-21. List of committee members | Huronite 4/18/38 | ||
| Apr 20, 1938 | Huron | Bond issue for airport improvements wins | Huronite 4/20/38 |
| HURON APPROVES AIRPORT ISSUE ...during the last year have seen their city elevated to aviation capital of northern plains... | Public Opinion | ||
| Apr 21, 1938 | Huron | Hanford Airlines and United Airlines jointly announce new schedules from Huron to east and west coast: Depart Huron 12:32pm to Omaha and connect with United airlines Mainliner. Arrive San Francisco or Los Angeles at Midnight, arrive Chicago 7:22pm, arrive Cleveland 11:35pm or arrive New York 2:10am | Huronite 4/21/38 |
| Apr 21, 1938 | Pierre | Article on State Aeronautics Commission. 3 members who serve at no pay. Members: Chairman TB Roberts, Jr. Pierre newspaper man, Floyd Barlow of Rapid City, Harold Markey Huron Attorney. There is a 4 cent tax on fuel. Beginning July 1937 this fund was directed toward airport improvements. Through March 1938 $3,381.42 had been prorated to airports in the state for improvements. There were 98 pilots registered and 28 airports in South Dakota | Huronite 4/21/38 |
| Apr 22, 1938 | Washington | North American Aviation, Inc.. received approval for sale of it's eastern division to newly formed Eastern Airlines for $3.5 million | Huronite 4/22/38 |
| Apr 22, 1938 | Omaha | Hanford Airlines reported a 151% increase for first quarter of 1938 over the same quarter of 1937 | Huronite 4/22/38 |
| Apr 28, 1938 | Washington | Bureau of Air Commerce establishes private flying section. Civil airway width reduced from 50 to 20 miles. Requirement established to maintain 500 foot altitude above terrain. There are 17,681 registered private pilots, 1,064 air transport pilots and 37,860 student pilots | Huronite 4/28/38 |
| May 1, 1938 | Washington | Bureau of Air Commerce forms 7 regional divisions. Harold Neely supervisor for ND, MN,WI,IL,MI,IN,OH and KY. Leonard Jurden supervisor for SD, NE, IA, MO, KS and CO. RD Bedinger supervisor for MT, WY, ID, OR, WA and AK | Huronite 4/28/38 |
| May 5, 1938 | Huron | Wyoming Air Service begins passenger service. | Huronite 5/5/38 |
| May 11, 1938 | Huron | Article on Air Mail Week with promotional drawing. Article about letter mailed Friday May 6 from Honolulu, Hawaii reaching Huron by afternoon of May 8 | Huronite 5/11/38 |
| May 12, 1938 | Washington | ICC feels that Northwest Airlines made excessive profits on Airmail Route #3 (Fargo-Seattle) but no on Airmail Route #16 (Chicago-Pembina) | Huronite 5/12/38 |
| No bids received on Bismarck-Minot mail route | Huronite 5/12/38 | ||
| May 12, 1938 | Huron | Numerous articles about aviation both local and national leading up to and through Air Mail Week: Kenneth Neville was head of Huron Flying Service and Airport Manager. Austin Lytle was vice-president. Merle Cornell of Omaha (one of Huron's first pilots) was present for Air Mail Week ceremonies. CM Hoppin, acting Regional Director for Bureau of Air Commerce, and William B Todd, Jr. inspected airport. Carl Theophilus, Jeff Larghe and Dan Yaeger completed solo flights | Huronite 5/12-21/38 |
| May 14, 1938 | Watertown | Numerous articles/editorials about aviation leading up to and through Air Mail Week | Public Opinion 5/14-21/38 |
| May 19, 1938 | Huron | Article [with poor picture] on airport improvements planned for the summer. Mentions that 4th runway will be built only if sufficient funds are available [this seems to be the first hint that the NE-SW runway wouldn't be built | Huronite 5/19/38 |
| May 28, 1938 | Huron | Plans for airport improvements submitted to WPA for approval | Huronite 5/23/38 |
| 1938 | Pierre | Airport moved to present location [date is an estimate] | Hughes County History |
| Jun 3, 1938 | California | First DC4 rolled out [with picture] | Huronite 6/4/38 |
| Jun 11, 1938 | California | First DC4 flight (with picture.. aircraft had tri-tail) | Huronite 6/11/38 |
| Jan 19, 1939 | Rapid City | NWS moved official weather observation location to Municipal airport located 8 miles NE of post office | NWS Station History |
| 1940 | Watertown | Mid-Continent purchases Hanford Airlines and begins service | Public Opinion |
| Mid-Continent was only Hanford TriState Lines dolled up with new equipment as a feeder line running out of Tulsa in two branches to the Twin Cities and Minot, North Dakota | Airways p299 | ||
| 1940 | Huron | Airport: A government recognized and approved airport is located one mile north of the city limits, with 24 hour passenger and refueling service. Huron is located on north-south and east-west air mail routes, with daily air passenger and mail service. The airport is equipped with lighting facilities for night flying and has three hard surface runways long enough to accommodate the largest transcontinental planes | City Directory |
| 1940 | Huron | Huron Flying Service was the oldest and largest FBO in South Dakota. Hired Ed Youngs to purchase Stinson SM8 and changed name to Dakota Aviation | Huron Revisited |
| Huron Flying Service: Kenneth Neville, President | City Directory | ||
| Airport Manager: Kenneth Neville | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau: Airport office and City office in Post Office. BR Laskowski, Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| CAA Communications Station: Robert B Workman, Operator In Charge | City Directory | ||
| Jan 20, 1940 | Washington | Mid-Continent applies for Bismarck-Minot route | Public Opinion |
| Jan 23, 1940 | Watertown | Specifications filed for field lighting. NW-SE runway to be extended 400 feet as CAA would not approve lights unless runway was longer | Public Opinion |
| Jan 26, 1940 | Watertown | City of Watertown seeking modification of 30 year lease to Watertown Airport, Inc.. [see 11/18/35] | Public Opinion |
| Jan 27, 1940 | Watertown | First contract for a lighted runway signed | 1968 Open House Brochure |
| Feb 1940 | Watertown | CAA station opened | 1965 Facility Data Record |
| Feb 6, 1940 | Watertown | Bids for runway lighting to be opened 2/26. Mid-Continent scheduled to start night operations 3/1/40 | Public Opinion |
| Feb 19, 1940 | Huron | WW Howes, Assistant Postmaster General, Air Mail Services, announced that effective 3/1/40 an additional trip on AM-26 would be authorized between Huron and Minneapolis. This will provide connection with Inland Airlines at Huron. | Public Opinion |
| Feb 21, 1940 | Watertown | Mid-Continent's new flight schedule to be Minneapolis-Watertown-Huron-Bismarck. It will be night schedule later. The other route through Watertown is Minneapolis-Watertown-Kansas City | Public Opinion |
| Feb 27, 1940 | Watertown | Contract for runway lights awarded. Delivery in 2 weeks | Public Opinion |
| Mar 6, 1940 | Sioux Falls | Airport lighting turned on for use for first time | Huronite 3/7/40 |
| Mar 13, 1940 | Watertown | CAA weather station open 10 hours per day. Installation of teletype, radios and weather observation equipment was completed some time ago. Station staff: Vernon E Hufman (Chief), Norman F Robertson and Joseph Lavadiere. Low frequency ranges Minneapolis-Willmar-Watertown are in use, but not certified. Ranges from Huron-Bismarck must also be certified | Public Opinion |
| Mar 16, 1940 | Huron | RB Workman, Civil Aeronautics Authority communications operator in charge of the radio range station at WW Howes Municipal Airport, announced that assistant operators FM McBride of Adair, IA, JC Bligh, Big Springs, NE, F Trombetta, New York City and a 4th assistant would staff the Huron range station. Assignment of the assistants will complete 24 hour coverage at the station which was put into operation the latter part of December, 1939. The station serves as a guide to aviators flying into Huron and is designed to promote safety of passengers and pilots. Teletype equipment was installed at the range station a few weeks ago. | Huronite 3/15/40 |
| 1940 | Robert B Workman (wife Virginia) residing 507 Ohio SW, Fred M McBride (wife Hallie) residing 507 Ohio SW, James C Bligh (wife Nancy) residing 158 10th St SE, Frank Trombetta (wife Estelle) residing 1345 Wisconsin SW (Bligh - the only one listed in 1942 lived at 1049 Illinois SW) | City Directory | |
| Mar 18, 1940 | Huron | Rotating beacon place on top of 51' foot tower at airport | Huronite 3/18/40 |
| Mar 19, 1940 | Statewide | WPA report on past 5 years indicates that new airports had been built in Newell, Mitchell, Pierre, Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Improvements had been accomplished at Aberdeen, Huron, Hot Springs, Spearfish and Watertown | Huronite 3/19/40 |
| Mar 24, 1940 | Watertown | CAA station operates 8am-midnight. Teletype system went on line at 8am 3/24/40. Additional personnel have arrived. Hufman moved to Alaska. Staff: CW McIntosh (Chief), Norman F Robertson, Joseph Lavadiere, Paul J Faur and Rolla Fay | Public Opinion |
| Apr 1, 1940 | Aberdeen | CAA begins taking official weather observations at airport | NWS Station History |
| Apr 1, 1940 | Watertown | CAA begins taking official weather observations at airport | NWS Station History |
| Apr 16, 1940 | Watertown | Weather observing office in city moves last of equipment to the airport. CAA station is now 24 hours. A ceiling light is to be installed 100 feet north of the station | Public Opinion |
| Aug 10, 1940 | Kansas City | WW Howes, who had resigned from position as Assistant Postmaster General, joined Mid-Continent Airlines as a vice-president | Huronite 8/12/40 |
| Aug 12, 1940 | Huron | Jess D Green, acting senior private flying specialist and Director of Civilian Pilot Training Courses for midwest met with Dean Herbert J Titt, Director of Civilian Pilot Training at Huron College. Also at the meeting were Kenneth Neville and Ed Young of Huron Flying Service. Purpose was to review pilot training program in Huron [see 1942] | Huronite 8/12/40 |
| Aug 16, 1940 | Watertown | Ceiling light installed. [Read and Initial boxes have initials of first 5 employees and 2 others] | Ceiling light instruction manual |
| Aug 19, 1940 | Scotts Bluff | Scotts Bluff added as a stop on Inland Air Lines route Huron-Cheyenne. Planned as a stop since 1938 startup, but lack of facilities prevented inclusion [see 3/23/38] | Huronite 8/19/40 |
| Aug 24, 1940 | Rapid City | Russell Halley was airport manager of Halley Field at Rapid City. Article about student pilot who was shot at by someone with a shotgun while in the pattern | Huronite 8/24/40 |
| Sep 19, 1940 | Huron | Huron Flying Service was just completing construction of a new hanger and office located 50 yards west of administration building | Huronite 9/29/40 |
| Oct 10, 1940 | Miller | City of Miller seeking bids for construction of airport | Huronite 10/10/40 |
| Oct 15, 1940 | Huron | Drainage project nearly complete at airport | Huronite 10/15/40 |
| Nov 1940 | Philip | Airport located and improved 3 miles east of Philip, lights installed, CAA station established [date questionable ... see 3/30/42, 1/5/42 and 1/7/42] | First Half Century p52 |
| Airport was build by CAA in conjunction with Rapid Air Base. Built on a section of school land leased by Chamber of Commerce from the state and then leased to CAA [date questionable ... see 3/30/42, 1/5/42 and 1/7/42] | First Half Century p123 | ||
| Sep 17, 1941 | Huron | Weather "Schedule C" circuit added at 125 major weather stations and airports, including Huron and Rapid City. Intended to carry additional information mainly for preparation of weather maps | Huronite 9/21/41 |
| Sep 25, 1941 | Huron | Advertisement for Mid-Continent Airlines flights to Cheyenne, Denver and Los Angeles | Huronite 9/25/41 |
| Oct 1, 1941 | Pierre | CAA begins taking official weather observations at the airport [this also indicates that ceiling light was in use from 1938...see 4/11/38] | NWS Station History |
| Nov 1, 1941 | Sioux Falls | NWS began taking official weather observations at airport | NWS Station History |
| Dec 7, 1941 | Watertown | Mid-Continent Airlines ... continued flights through Watertown during WWII | 1968 Open House Brochure |
| Dec 11, 1941 | Pierre | Inland Airlines suspended passenger service, air mail continues | Capitol Journal 1/9/42 |
| Dec 28, 1941 | Sioux City | Sioux City to have Air Base similar to base awarded to Rapid City early in December. Other base locations Include Topeka, Pueblo, Ft. Worth, El Paso and Reno | Capitol Journal |
| 1942 | Huron | Ed Youngs, Dakota Aviation, taught ground school for Army pilots at Huron College during WWII. Students were quartered and studied at Huron College, did Link Trainer work in building downtown and flight instruction at airport in 25 aircraft furnished by the government [see 8/12/40] | Daily Plainsman 5/15/80 |
| Operators: Huron Flying Service, Mid-Continent Airlines, Inland Airlines | City Directory | ||
| Airport Manager: Kenneth Neville | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau: Airport office and City office in Post Office. BR Laskowski, Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| CAA Communications Station: Horace O Fath, Chief Aircraft Communicator | City Directory | ||
| Jan 5, 1942 | Washington | CAA recommended money for improvements of Pierre and Spearfish airports as supporting fields for Rapid City Air Base | Capitol Journal |
| Jan 7, 1942 | Washington | CAA allocated $290,214 for development of Pierre airport and $100,000 for development of Black Hills (Spearfish) | Capitol Journal |
| Jan 9, 1942 | Pierre | Inland Airlines resumed passenger service. Said suspension was not due to war beginning | Capitol Journal |
| Jan 12, 1942 | Pierre | CAA plans to construct paved N-S and NW-SE runways 4500x150 and install basic lighting. City must have unencumbered title to airport. Presently Capital Airways, Inc.. hold a lease | Capitol Journal |
| Jan 15, 1942 | Pierre | City buys Capitol Airway, Inc.. lease from TB Roberts, Jr. for $5,000 | Capitol Journal |
| Feb 19, 1942 | Rapid City | Rapid Air Base is expected to be open to all aircraft as long as they are equipped with 2 way radio | Capitol Journal |
| Feb 23, 1942 | Pierre | According to TR Roberts, Civil Air Patrol Wing Commander, the only two airports which have met requirements to guard against sabotage are Spearfish and Sioux Falls. These are the only two airports in the state open to the public. Other airports are open only to commercial and military flights. Pierre plans to meeting to arrange needed security. Regulations also state that no aircraft can be airborne more than 2 hours unless it is equipped with 2 way radio | Capitol Journal |
| Mar 28, 1942 | Washington | Security regulations to be relaxed [see 2/23/42] | Capitol Journal |
| Mar 28, 1942 | Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls chosen as site for a $15 million Army Air Corp Radio and Communications School. Project to require 1800 acres including the municipal airport | Capitol Journal |
| Mar 30, 1942 | Rapid City | Contract for Army Air Base construction finalized | Gateway To The Hills |
| Contracts awarded for construction of Rapid City Air Base, construction to begin immediately | Capitol Journal | ||
| Apr 11, 1942 | Washington | Representative Mundt suggested to Army that auxiliary bases be established at Aberdeen, Chamberlain, Huron, Madison, Mitchell and Watertown | Capitol Journal |
| Apr 20, 1942 | Pierre | Bids for work on Pierre airport opened in Omaha | Capitol Journal |
| Apr 23, 1942 | Casper | Bomber base to be established at Casper | Capitol Journal |
| Apr 24, 1942 | Pierre | MB Roelff, CAA engineer, arrived to run airport development project | Capitol Journal |
| Apr 27, 1942 | Sioux Falls | Work began on Sioux Falls Air Base | Capitol Journal |
| Apr 28, 1942 | Pierre | Survey work began | Capitol Journal |
| May 11, 1942 | Miles City | A Northwest Airlines transport crashed in flames at 11:50am killing 3, injuring 10 | Capitol Journal 5/13/42 |
| May 11, 1942 | Pierre | Funds for Pierre airport project increased to $352,214 due to underestimation in original plans | Capitol Journal |
| May 15, 1942 | Washington | Army plans on taking over operation of all airliners to increase transport fleet [see 12/9/42] | Capitol Journal |
| May 26, 1942 | Kansas City | Mid-Continent Airlines announced suspension of it's routes from Kansas City-Des Moines-Minneapolis and Huron-Minot effective 6/1/42 [see 5/27/42]. Flights to be continued Include Watertown-Huron-Sioux Falls-Sioux City-St. Joseph-Kansas City | Capitol Journal |
| May 27, 1942 | Washington | CAB ordered suspension of flights at 25 cities. Mid-Continent stops Included are Aberdeen, Bismarck, Minot, Lincoln and Helena. Inland Airlines suspended the entire route from Cheyenne-Huron [see 6/1/42] | Capitol Journal |
| May 31, 1942 | Aberdeen | Students began arriving for training as glider pilots at an Army Air Force contract school operated by Anderson-Brennen Flying Service of Des Moines. Students with flying experience required a 4 week course, others took 10 weeks. There were no gliders at Aberdeen, students with experience received instruction by using 54 light planes. Four sections of land northeast of Aberdeen were leased for main base and 3 practice fields. Students were housed, fed and taught ground school at Northern State Teachers College | Brown County History |
| Jun 1, 1942 | Pierre | Air mail service suspended | Capitol Journal |
| Jun 10, 1942 | Alliance | Construction of an Air Base at Alliance, Nebraska authorized | Capitol Journal |
| Jul 16, 1942 | Rapid City | Rapid Air Base occupied by troops | Gateway To The Hills |
| Jul 20, 1942 | Watertown | Watertown approved as location for satellite bomber air base to be affiliated with Sioux City Air Base | Public Opinion |
| Aug 12, 1942 | Watertown | Contracts awarded for paving runways at Watertown Air Base | Public Opinion |
| Aug 12, 1942 | Sioux Falls | Mid-Continent Airlines suspended service to Sioux Falls due to runway construction at airport | Capitol Journal |
| Aug 12, 1942 | Kansas City | Mid-Continent Airlines announced resumption of service Minneapolis-Des Moines-St. Louis [see 5/25/42] | Capitol Journal |
| Aug 17, 1942 | Mitchell | Construction of Air Base at Mitchell authorized | Public Opinion |
| Aug 20, 1942 | Watertown | Government takes control of airport. Air Base construction began | Public Opinion |
| Watertown base was intended to be used by several squadrons of B17 Flying Fortresses | 1968 Open House Brochure | ||
| Aug 21, 1942 | Aberdeen | Glider student and instructor killed in light plane 19 SE of Aberdeen | Capitol Journal |
| Aug 21, 1942 | Watertown | Roads to and through airport/air base are closed | Public Opinion |
| Aug 24, 1942 | Aberdeen | Glider school student confessed to killing 19 year old Aberdeen girl | Capitol Journal |
| Aug 24, 1942 | Pierre | Construction of new runway completed. First aircraft which landed Sunday was Inland Airlines after a brief suspension in service while the runways were being surfaced. Emergency generators now being installed as backup for field lighting | Capitol Journal |
| Aug 25, 1942 | Watertown | Dispute between city Army and Watertown Air Service [Ralph Hubbard] regarding airport lease and use of airport [see 11/15/35 and 1/25/40] | Public Opinion |
| Sep 1942 | Watertown | Hubbard moves operation to a field 8 miles north of Watertown [3 miles north of Rauville] | Public Opinion 6/6/79 |
| Sep 1, 1942 | Pierre | Contracts let for buildings at airport | Capitol Journal |
| Sep 4, 1942 | Pierre | Military announced that an extensive expansion of the Pierre Municipal airport for military use will begin immediately. New contracts call for hard topping runways already topped with asphalt and for surfacing any new runways | Capitol Journal |
| Sep 6, 1942 | Watertown | Stone administration building destroyed in order to build runway 12-30 | Public Opinion 6/6/79 |
| CAA official observation point moved to Air Base administration building [approximately location of terminal building] | NWS Station History | ||
| Sep 9, 1942 | Pierre | Work began on Pierre Air Base | Public Opinion |
| Sep 11, 1942 | Pierre | Hot-mix plant put up to add additional thickness to runways already paved. Deep well being drilled for airport water | Capitol Journal |
| Sep 17, 1942 | Pierre | Inland Airlines again suspends airmail while runway is being repaved | Capitol Journal |
| Sep 25, 1942 | Watertown | Construction of Watertown Air Base 45% complete | Public Opinion |
| Sep 25, 1942 | Pierre | Base commander arrives. Base will be part of 2nd Air Force from Spokane and is a satellite of the Rapid City Base | Capitol Journal |
| Sep 27, 1942 | Pierre | Well elevation 1708.17 encountered Sundance formation at 1825 foot level. Water under high pressure, but is of high temperature and is very hard | Capitol Journal |
| Sep 28, 1942 | Rapid City | B17 bombers began to arrive at Rapid Air Base | Gateway To The Hills |
| Sep 30, 1942 | Aberdeen | CAA discontinued taking official weather observations at airport | NWS Station History |
| Oct 9, 1942 | Rapid City | B17 crashes about midnight on approach 3 miles north of Rapid City Air Base. 3 killed, 5 injured | Capitol Journal |
| Oct 10, 1942 | Pierre | 34 year old construction worker from Minneapolis run over by earth mover. Chest and head injuries | Capitol Journal |
| Oct 13, 1942 | Pierre | Construction worker injured 10/10 dies | Capitol Journal |
| Oct 15, 1942 | Pierre | Due to shortage of common labor (both construction and farm) SDSU lets students out. More than 44 come to Pierre to work on base | Capitol Journal |
| Oct 22, 1942 | Watertown | Base commander and staff arrive | Public Opinion |
| Oct 22, 1942 | Pierre | Water well now in Madison formation at almost 2300 feet | Capitol Journal |
| Oct 26, 1942 | Pierre | Well considered complete with depth of 2350 feet. A 4 wire fence will be placed around the perimeter of the base | Capitol Journal |
| Oct 30, 1942 | Pierre | Hughes County wants to build a new road to replace the Pierre-Canning county road which was cut by expansion of the airport. Proposed route "north from school house east of Harbaugh ranch to cross Dry Run then traversing an arc in a northwesterly direction to join highway 14 north of the airport" | Capitol Journal |
| Nov 4, 1942 | Watertown | Mayor of Watertown asks for donations of furnishings for buildings at Air Base | Public Opinion |
| Nov 14, 1942 | Pierre | Air Base completed. "The port in its completed status presents a far different appearance than the "landing field" of natural turf and a small airline office and private hanger which were to be found there last spring" [more] | Capitol Journal |
| Nov 19, 1942 | Watertown | Article about the "...weather station..." at the Air Base | Public Opinion |
| Nov 21, 1942 | Watertown | Most Air Base construction complete. Open house held. [some photographs in paper] | Public Opinion |
| Nov 28, 1942 | Pierre | Open house held at airport Saturday. "...visitors climbed to the top of the observation tower installed by the CAA as an operations tower..." | Capitol Journal |
| Nov 30, 1942 | Sioux Falls | NWS discontinued official observations at airport [probably corresponds with when military began operating the Air Base] | NWS Station History |
| Dec 9, 1942 | Minneapolis | Mid-Continent and Northwest Airlines planning merger pending CAB and stockholder approval. Army had commandeered about 75% or Mid-Continent's equipment | Capitol Journal |
| Dec 14, 1942 | Pierre | Complete compliment of men are now at the Pierre Air Base | Capitol Journal |
| 1943 | Watertown | Horizontal Control Data recovery data for airport remarks that station and one reference mark were destroyed when the Air Base was built | Coast & Geodetic Survey |
| 1943 | Huron | B17 crashed on south edge of Huron [west of highway 37, south of 21st St.] 12 crew members all dead | Huron Revisited |
| Aug 26, 1943 | Kimball | B24 from Mitchell or Sioux City AAFB crashed at 10pm on practice bomb range 20 miles NE of Kimball | Argus Leader 9/19/93 |
| Apr 15, 1944 | Watertown | Air Base transferred from 2nd Army Air Force to Proving Ground Command | Public Opinion 6/6/79 |
| Aug 1944 | Philip | 2 B17 bombers made emergency landings at Philip airport during a storm | First Half Century p52 |
| Oct 1944 | Philip | B29 crashes 23 miles NW of Philip. 2 parachute to safety, 9 die in crash | First Half Century p52 |
| Oct 25, 1944 | Webster | bomber crash near Webster kills 2 | Public Opinion 6/6/79 |
| 1945 | Huron | Operators: Dakota Aviation Inc.., Mid-Continent Airlines, Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Kenneth Neville, President, Ed Youngs, Sec/Treas | City Directory |
| Airport Manager: Kenneth Neville | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau: Airport office, Albert H Eichmeier, and City office in Post Office. BR Laskowski, Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| CAA Communications Station: J Chester Shimp, Aeronautical Inspector | City Directory | ||
| Jul 19, 1945 | Watertown | City and Watertown Airport, Inc.. have contract dated 7/1/45 for lease of Army hanger for 10 years and an additional building plot for 25 years if and when the Army returns base to the city. Hubbard has been operation on smaller field north of Watertown through war and has 9 aircraft | Public Opinion |
| Jul 20, 1945 | Rapid City | Rapid City Air Base to be transferred from 2nd Air Force to 3rd Air Force | Public Opinion |
| Jul 22, 1945 | Watertown | Government returned airport to the city on 99 year lease. [this doesn't match information in newspaper accounts ... see 1/15-17/46] | 1968 Open House Brochure |
| Aug 1, 1945 | Watertown | Mid-continent to expand service on 8/10/45 to 3 flights per day. Route is Minneapolis-Watertown-Huron-Sioux Falls-Sioux City-Omaha-Kansas City. Arrivals from Minneapolis at noon a DC3, and 5:28pm a Lodestar. Arrival from Huron at 5:41pm a DC3 | Public Opinion |
| Aug 2, 1945 | Watertown | Open house at Air Base. On display were 3 B29s, 3 B26s, 2 C45s, 1 B25, 1 P47 and 1 P51 | Public Opinion 8/3/45 |
| Aug 29, 1945 | Watertown | Mid-continent is looking into shipping fresh sea food into Watertown from New Orleans | Public Opinion |
| Sep 4, 1945 | Watertown | Captain Tom Weber, Flight Surgeon, drowns in Lake Kampeska. He parachuted into the lake to test water survival gear, got tangled and rescue boat couldn't reach him in time. | Public Opinion 6/6/79 |
| Sep 14, 1945 | Huron | Mid-continent says it is not economical to resume Huron-Aberdeen-Bismarck-Minot flights based on 1939-1942 records [see 3/2/46] | Public Opinion |
| Sep 17, 1945 | Watertown | 25 planes from Eglin AFB, Florida flew into Watertown to escape hurricane. On the field were 2 B32s, 8 B29s, 10 B17s, 4 B24s and 1 B25 | Public Opinion |
| Sep 20, 1945 | Washington | Mid-continent and American Airlines talking merger, but need CAB approval [see 1/4/46] | Public Opinion |
| Oct 15, 1945 | Washington | Army announces plans to keep Rapid City, Casper and Kearney Air Bases open | Public Opinion |
| Oct 29, 1945 | Watertown | Major in charge of Air Base to be discharged. Base now under command of a Lieutenant | Public Opinion |
| Nov 1945 | Watertown | Flight operations July 1944-November 1945: 1300 flight operations, 900 transient aircraft, 900 local flights | Public Opinion 6/679 |
| Nov 15, 1945 | Pierre | Ralph Hubbard is chairman of South Dakota Aeronautics Commission. At a meeting in Pierre the Army announced plans to sell Air Bases and equipment with the agreement that they be maintained and available to the military | Public Opinion |
| Nov 25, 1945 | Watertown | Dale V Dahl, Aviation Radioman 2nd Class, of 732 4th Ave. discharged 11/17/45. He'd enlisted 10/27/41. [Later worked at Watertown FSS] | Public Opinion |
| Nov 26, 1945 | Huron | Western Airlines plans $15 million expansion. Plan to add 28 four engine planes to the 14 twin engine planes now in fleet. Includes improvement of ground facilities at Rapid City, Pierre and Huron | Public Opinion |
| Dec 31, 1945 | Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls Air Base deactivated | Public Opinion 1/18/46 |
| 1946 | Aberdeen | Airport named Saunders Field after Brig Gen. LaVerne "Blondie" Saunders, Aberdeen WWII hero | Brown County History p402 |
| 1946 | Brookings | $165,000 bond issue passed and land purchased west of Brookings for construction of new airport (old airport 2 miles south on Medary Ave. was inadequate and subject to flooding) | Brookings County History p116 |
| Jan 1, 1946 | Sioux Falls | Weather Service resumed official observations at airport | NWS Station History |
| 1946 | Huron | Bill Hebron started Aerial Weed Control with Ray Olson [date in question...could be 1951] | Huron Revisited |
| Jan 3, 1946 | Watertown | Navy pilot landed Hellcat and said "here's the plane for the high school"... speculation was that plane was intended for Ortonville, MN | Public Opinion |
| Jan 4, 1946 | Washington | American and Mid-continent still trying for merger. CAB hearing to be 1/21/46 [see 9/20/45] | Public Opinion |
| Jan 5, 1946 | Watertown | Only 35 men still at Air Base. They are assigned to Eglin AFB, Florida and should leave about 1/15/46. The Army weather station closed ... CAA station to remain. City is pursuing plans to use base housing for returning veterans [see 1/7/46 & 1/14/46] | Public Opinion |
| Jan 5, 1946 | Washington | 44 Air Bases which cost $5 million, or more, each, plus 200 smaller airports are to be declared surplus. Included are: Sioux Falls, SD $10,061,000, Pueblo , CO $9,799,000, Alliance, NE $8,892,000, Colorado Springs, CO $8,338,000, Sioux City, IA $8,291,000, La Junta, CO $6,903,000, Grand Island, NE $5,434,000, Scribner, NE $5231,000, Scotts Bluff, NE $5,024,000 | Public Opinion |
| Jan 5, 1946 | Philip | State decided it could not lease school lands for other than agriculture and Chamber of Commerce could not afford to purchase, so Dorothy Brothers bought the land and leased it to Chamber for $1 per year. Chamber in turn leases land to CAA for $1 per year | First Half Century |
| Jan 7, 1946 | Watertown | Army approves plan to use base housing [see 1/5/46 & 1/14/46] | Public Opinion |
| Jan 14, 1946 | Watertown | 16 apartments to be ready soon [see 1/5/46 and 1/7/46] | Public Opinion |
| Jan 14, 1946 | Sisseton | Harold Brink secured lease for proposed municipal airport 2 east and half north of Sisseton. Plans to build and maintain a hanger and office | Public Opinion |
| Jan 15, 1946 | Watertown | Army gives city a 5 year lease for airport | Public Opinion |
| Jan 16, 1946 | Watertown | Air Base officially declared surplus and closed. Several weeks will be needed to finish winding up shutdown then the base will operate under the Corps of Engineers until the maintenance agreement with the city expires | Public Opinion |
| Jan 17, 1946 | Minneapolis | DW Pennertz, President of North Central Airways, Inc.. announced that the CAB is considering a proposal for passenger and mail feeder routes in South Dakota. Stops would be Mobridge, Selby, Onida, Pierre, Kennebec, Chamberlain, Kimball, Mitchell, Salem, Alexandria, Sioux Falls, Madison, Brookings, Watertown and Milbank. A Fargo to Minneapolis route would Include Aberdeen and Britton | Public Opinion |
| Jan 18, 1946 | Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls Air Base declared surplus [see 12/31/45] | Public Opinion |
| Feb 8, 1946 | Watertown | Aircraft at city airport north of town damaged by wind storm...some blown a half mile form the airport | Public Opinion |
| Feb 20, 1946 | Watertown | City announces that it is to take control of the Air Base at midnight on 2/24/46 | Public Opinion |
| Feb 27, 1946 | Watertown | City Council met and formally accepted airport transfer. City took lighting previous Saturday. Took over all equipment, although it still belongs to the Army. They expect to take early action on lease with Kampeska Flying Service | Public Opinion 2/28/46 |
| Ralph Frothinger is to return to Watertown [from Air Transport Command] to operate Kampeska Flying Service which was Incorporated in his absence in fall of 1945. He will be owner and operator offering flying school, charter, and shops for service and overhaul. Will be dealer for Luscombe and Ercoupe, 2 place and 4 place models | Public Opinion | ||
| Mar 2, 1946 | Washington | CAB examiner recommended: 1) Inland Airlines route #35 be extended permanently from Huron to Minneapolis, subject to provision that no flight originate east of Rapid City. 2) Inland Airlines be temporarily authorized to serve Brookings, Rochester, and Mankato on the Huron-Minneapolis extension. 3) Mid-continent Airlines be temporarily authorized to add Mitchell and Yankton to their Huron-Omaha route | Public Opinion |
| Mid-continent is planning to add Huron-Minot and additional stops if allowed to merge with American Airlines [see 9/14/45 & 1/14/46] | Public Opinion | ||
| Mar 6, 1946 | Watertown | Watertown Air Service completed move to airport with 12 planes. Ray Wiles in charge of operations. Ralph Hubbard president and manager | Public Opinion |
| Mar 12, 1946 | Watertown | CAA radio operator, Wayland Williams, 28, arrested while on duty for theft of radio equipment from Army Tower. Sheriff was looking for light fixtures reported stolen by CAA officials and found light fixtures, approximately $5,000 worth of radios, and removable aircraft seats | Public Opinion |
| Ralph Lang started as pilot instructor for Kampeska Air Service | Public Opinion | ||
| Mar 27, 1946 | Huron | Huron runway damaged by large aircraft. Airline flights suspended | Public Opinion |
| Mar 27, 1946 | Yankton | CAA employee [see 3/12/46] pleaded guilty to theft and placed on 18 months probation | Public Opinion |
| Oct 1946 | Pierre | Army turned Air Base over to city | ? |
| 1947 | Aberdeen | Bond issue and federal funds used to build new terminal building and additional runways | Brown County History p402 |
| Jan 1, 1948 | Aberdeen | CAA resumes taking official weather observations at airport | NWS Station History |
| 1948 | Huron | Walt Ball is sales manager for Dakota Aviation, the largest Aeronca dealer in United States | Huron Revisited |
| Operators: Dakota Aviation, Inc.., Mid-Continent Airlines, Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Edward G Youngs, Pres, Walter F Ball Vice-Pres | City Directory | ||
| Airport Manager: Robert C Wilson | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau: Airport office, William H Wells, Meteorologist, City Office in Post Office. Bernard Laskowski, Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| CAA Communications Station: Horace O Fath, Chief Aircraft Communicator. Safety Regulation District Office No. 8: J Ralph Horn, Inspector In Charge | City Directory | ||
| May 12, 1948 | Watertown | VOR commissioned | 1965 Facility Data Report |
| 1949 | Philip | Amsden Flying Service established. Purchased from MD Hoyt who operated business during the war | First Half Century p70 & 123 |
| Jun 1, 1949 | Aberdeen | VOR commissioned [AF printout][date probably inaccurate] | AF MMS File |
| Jun 1, 1949 | Watertown | VOR commissioned [AF printout][date WRONG see 5/12/48] | AF MMS File |
| Jun 1, 1949 | Huron | VOR commissioned [AF printout][date probably inaccurate] | AF MMS File |
| Jun 1, 1949 | Philip | VOR commissioned [AF printout][date probably inaccurate] | AF MMS File |
| Jun 1, 1949 | Pierre | VOR commissioned [AF printout][date probably inaccurate] | AF MMS File |
| 1950 | Huron | Airport: A government recognized and approved airport is located one mile north of the city limits, with 24 hour passenger and refueling service. Huron is located on north-south and east-west air mail routes, with daily air passenger and mail service. The airport is equipped with lighting facilities for night flying and has three hard surface runways long enough to accommodate the largest transcontinental planes. The latest blind flying equipment is available at the airport. | City Directory |
| Operators: Dakota Aviation, Inc.., Mid-West Airlines, Mid-Continent Airlines, Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Edward G Youngs, Pres, Walter F Ball Vice-Pres and Sales Manager | City Directory | ||
| Western Airlines [originally Wyoming Air Lines, then Inland Airlines] and Mid-continent [formerly Hanford Airlines] provide 4 flights a day form Huron to Kansas City, Minneapolis and Denver. Midwest Airlines provides service to Sioux Falls-Sioux City-Omaha | Huron Revisited | ||
| Airport Manager: Robert C Wilson | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau: Airport office, William H Wells, Meteorologist, City Office in Post Office. Bernard Laskowski, Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| CAA Communications Station: Horace O Fath, Chief Aircraft Communicator. CAA Maintenance Office: Ray E Bute, Maintenance Technician. CAA Safety Regulation District Office No. 8: John C Smith, Safety Agent In Charge | City Directory | ||
| Jan 1950 | CAA: Aviation Safety District Office, Interstate Airway Communication Station. Weather Bureau: Airport Office, City Office | Huron Telephone Book | |
| Jul 4, 1950 | Brookings | New airport build at a total cost of $350,000 was dedicated. Western Airlines began service with fares to: Minneapolis $9.55, Rapid City $21.10, Denver $46.05 | Brookings County History p116 |
| Sep 1950 | Watertown | Kampeska Flying Service quits operation | Public Opinion 6/6/79 |
| Oct 5, 1950 | Rapid City | NWS official weather observations move from old municipal airport to new municipal airport. | NWS Station History |
| Dec 7, 1950 | Watertown | Weighing rain gauge installed | Operation Manual |
| Jun 1, 1952 | Pierre | FSS moved into new terminal building [date questionable] | AF MMS File |
| Aug 1952 | Watertown | Mid-continent merged with Braniff | Public Opinion 6/6/79 |
| 1952 | Huron | Braniff took over Mid-continent's routes and reduced service to Huron | Huron Revisited |
| Aug 14, 1952 | Watertown | Federal grant received to build new administration building to replace the building destroyed when Air Base was constructed | Public Opinion 6/6/79 |
| 1953 | Huron | Operators: Dakota Aviation, Inc., Aerial Weed Control, Braniff International Airlines, Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Edward G Youngs, Pres, VV Youngs Sec/Treas, Walter F Ball Vice-Pres and Sales Manager | City Directory |
| Airport Manager: Joseph J Wheeler | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau: Airport office, William H Wells, Meteorologist, City Office in Post Office. Bernard Laskowski, Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| CAA Communications Station: Horace O Fath, Chief Aircraft Communicator. CAA Maintenance Office: Ray E Bute, Maintenance Technician | City Directory | ||
| Aug 1953 | Watertown | New administration building completed | FAA Drawing 8/20/53 |
| Nov 1953 | Watertown | Braniff began service Omaha-Fargo with stop in Watertown | Public Opinion 6/6/79 |
| Nov 28, 1953 | Watertown | CAA wiring completed in new administration building | FAA Drawing 8/20/53 |
| 1954 | Huron | Ed Youngs sold interest in Dakota Aviation and went into real estate business | Huron Revisited |
| Mar 31, 1954 | Watertown | CAA operations relocated to new administration building | FAA Drawing 3/31/54 |
| 1955 | Huron | Operators: Dakota Aviation, Inc., Aerial Weed Control, Braniff International Airlines, Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball, Pres, Frank S Root, Vice-Pres, Katheryn J Polad, Sec/Treas | City Directory |
| Airport Manager: Joseph J Wheeler | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau: Airport office, William H Wells, Meteorologist, City Office in Post Office. Bernard Laskowski, Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| CAA Communications Station: C Homer Jones, Station Chief. CAA Safety Regulation District Office No. 8: Leland G Covert, Supervisor | City Directory | ||
| Jan 1957 | Huron | Airport is 400 acres with Weather Bureau, CAA Safety Office, CAA Maintenance Office and CAA Communication Station. There are 3 hard surface runways, 1 is concrete. Each day Braniff has 4 flights and Western has 4 flights. | Our Town 1957 p23 |
| Operators: Dakota Aviation, Inc., Braniff International Airlines, Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball, Pres, Frank S Root, Vice-Pres, Katheryn J Polad, Sec/Treas | City Directory | ||
| Airport Manager: Jeffry G Molid | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau: Airport office, William H Wells, Chief Meteorologist, City Office in Post Office: William Hodge, State Climatologist | City Directory | ||
| CAA Communications Station: C Homer Jones, Station Chief. CAA Maintenance Office: Karl E Meier, Supervisor | City Directory | ||
| Mar 1957 | Washington | [In March 1957]...the CAB handed North Central a fat award: A new route from Grand Forks to Omaha via Fargo, Watertown, Brookings, Sioux Falls, Sioux City and Norfolk. This added 8 cities, 3 new states and 579 miles to the system | Ceiling Unlimited p126 |
| Mar 1957 | Huron | CAA: Aviation Safety District Office, Interstate Airway Communication Station. Weather Bureau: Airport Office, State Climatologist Office, Federal Building room 209 | Huron Telephone Book |
| Apr 15, 1957 | Watertown | F240C wind instruments installed | Facility Data Report |
| Jun 1, 1957 | Watertown | North Central Airlines begins service | 1968 Open House Brochure |
| 1958 | Huron | Operators: Dakota Aviation, Inc., Braniff International Airlines, Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball, Pres, Frank S Root, Vice-Pres, Katheryn J Polad, Sec/Treas | City Directory |
| Airport Manager: Jeffry G Molid | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau: Airport office, William H Wells, Chief Meteorologist, City Office in Post Office: William Hodge, State Climatologist | City Directory | ||
| CAA Communications Station: C Homer Jones, Station Chief. CAA Maintenance Office: Karl E Meier, Supervisor | City Directory | ||
| Feb 1, 1958 | Pierre | RCAG Commissioned [printout] [date questionable] | AF MMS File |
| May 1958 | Huron | CAA: Interstate Airway Communication Station. Weather Bureau: Airport Office, State Climatologist Office, Federal Building room 209 | Huron Telephone Book |
| Oct 1, 1958 | Dupree | VOR Commissioned [printout] [date questionable] | AF MMS File |
| Dec 1, 1958 | Watertown | TACAN commissioned [printout] [date WRONG ... see 12/10/58] | AF MMS File |
| Dec 10, 1958 | Watertown | TACAN commissioned | 1965 Facility Data Report |
| 1959 | Huron | Braniff discontinued service to Huron. North Central and Western flying into Huron. | Huron Revisited |
| Jun 1, 1959 | Winner | VOR commissioned [printout] [date questionable] | AF MMS File |
| 1960 | Huron | Operators: Dakota Aviation, Inc., North Central Airlines, Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball, Pres, Ralph Cooper, Vice-Pres, Katheryn J Polad, Sec/Treas | City Directory |
| Airport Manager: Jeffry G Molid | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau, Airport, William H Wells, Chief Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| FAA Communications Station: C Homer Jones, Station Chief. FAA Maintenance Office: Karl E Meier, Supervisor | City Directory | ||
| Jun 1960 | Huron | FAA: Flight Service Station, Airway Technical Field Office No 36. Weather Bureau: Airport Office, State Climatologist Office, Federal Building room 209 | Huron Telephone Book |
| Jun 1960 | Miller | Yellow Page listing: Miller Aircraft Repair | Huron Telephone Book |
| Jun 1960 | Pierre | FAA: Interstate Airway Communication Station, Flight Service Station, Airway Technical Field Office No 67 | Huron Telephone Book |
| Yellow Page listing: Ice Flying Service | Huron Telephone Book | ||
| Jun 1960 | Rapid City | Yellow Page listing: Weber Aviation | Huron Telephone Book |
| Jun 1960 | Onida | Yellow Page listing: Onida Flying Service | Huron Telephone Book |
| Dec 19, 1960 | Watertown | REIL installed runway 17 | FAA Drawing 12/19/60 |
| Jun 1961 | Huron | FAA: Flight Service Station, Airway Technical Field Office No 36. Weather Bureau: Airport Office, State Climatologist Office, Federal Building room 209 | Huron Telephone Book |
| Jun 6, 1961 | Pierre | Wind instruments and hygrothermometer located in center of field. [Note: This drawing shows the diagonal taxiway as an "old section line road"] | WBRAO Drawing 6/6/61 |
| Oct 1, 1961 | Dupree | TACAN commissioned [printout] [date questionable] [Acceptance date 12/4/64] | AF MMS File |
| 1962 | Huron | Airport: A government recognized and approved airport is located one mile north of the city limits, with 24 hour passenger and refueling service. Huron is located on north-south and east-west routes, with daily air passenger and mail service. The airport is equipped with lighting facilities for night flying and has three hard surface runways long enough to accommodate the largest transcontinental planes. The latest blind flying equipment is available at the airport. | City Directory |
| Operators: Burmood Air Service, Dakota Aviation, Inc., North Central Airlines, Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball, Pres-mgr, David Nicholson, Treas, Katheryn J Polad, Sec. Burmood Air Service: Charles L Burmood | City Directory | ||
| Airport Manager: Don Friese | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau, Airport, William H Wells, Chief Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| FAA Flight Service Station: Billy D Templeton, Chief. FAA Maintenance Office: Karl E Meier, Chief Executive Office Manager | City Directory | ||
| Jun 29, 1962 | Watertown | Watertown Flying Club has 27 members and 2 aircraft. Club began in 1954. President Jerry Cook, Secretary/Treasurer Dale Dahl [FSS Specialist] | Public Opinion |
| Jul 1962 | Huron | Yellow Page listing: Burmood Air Service | Huron Telephone Book |
| Jul 10, 1962 | Watertown | Louie Potter retirement dinner. Received 30 year pin. 57 attended. Dick Myers acted as master of ceremonies | Public Opinion |
| Jul 24, 1962 | Watertown | Roger Pederson is chairman of Chamber of Commerce aviation committee | Public Opinion |
| Jul 24, 1962 | Brookings | North Central Airlines to drop Brookings from stops on north-south route. Flights to continue into Watertown | Public Opinion |
| 1963 | Huron | Operators: Ball Aero, Dakota Aviation, Inc., North Central Airlines, Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball, Pres-mgr, David Nicholson, Treas, Katheryn J Polad, Sec. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball, Tracy Gitchell | City Directory |
| Airport Manager: Don Friese | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau, Airport, William H Wells, Chief Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| FAA Flight Service Station: Billy D Templeton, Chief. FAA Maintenance Office: Karl E Meier, Manager | City Directory | ||
| Mar 23, 1963 | Philip | Philip FSS decommissioned. Pierre FSS to begin using Philip RCO | Pierre FSS records |
| Jun 7, 1963 | Philip | Philip SBRAZ decommissioned. BH commissioned | Pierre FSS records |
| Jul 1, 1963 | Pierre | Pierre NSME decommissioned | Pierre FSS records |
| Jul 7, 1963 | Watertown | Estimated 120 knot winds blew roof off terminal building. Wind instruments and antenna blew down at 110 knots. Ed Bauer on duty. [photo] | Public Opinion |
| Jul 26, 1963 | Watertown | OE Markle, of Glasgow, Montana, was enroute from Sleepy Eye, Minnesota to Glasgow when he encountered thunderstorms near Watertown about 7pm. Unsure of his position he called Watertown FSS. Ed Bauer used VOR and landmark orientation to assist aircraft which landed safely at Watertown. (Bauer lived in Kranzburg) | Public Opinion |
| Sep 1963 | Huron | FAA: Flight Service Station, Airway Technical Field Office No 36. Weather Bureau: Airport Office | Huron Telephone Book |
| 1964 | Huron | Operators: Ball Aero, Dakota Aviation, Inc., North Central Airlines, Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball, Pres-mgr, David Nicholson, Treas, Katheryn J Polad, Sec. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball, Tracy Gitchell | City Directory |
| Airport Manager: Don Friese | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau, Airport, William H Wells, Chief Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| FAA Flight Service Station: Winfield Henry, Flight Service Chief | City Directory | ||
| Feb 26, 1964 | Pierre | 3023kc receiver decommissioned | Pierre FSS records |
| Apr 20, 1964 | Winner | M-BVORTAC decommissioned. M-BVOR commissioned | Pierre FSS records |
| Jun 28, 1964 | Aberdeen | FAA discontinued taking official weather observations, duties assumed by NWS | NWS Station History |
| Dec 4, 1964 | Dupree | TACAN acceptance inspection | AF Records |
| 1965 | Huron | Airport: A government recognized and approved airport is located one mile north of the city limits, with 24 hour passenger and refueling service. Huron is located on north-south and east-west routes, with daily air passenger and mail service. The airport is equipped with lighting facilities for night flying and has a northwest-southeast concrete runway 5100 feet long and construction starting on a new 300 foot [sic] [should be 3000 feet] north-south runway. The latest blind flying equipment is available at the airport. | City Directory |
| Operators: Ball Aero, Dakota Aviation, Inc., North Central Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball, Pres-mgr, David Nicholson, Treas, Katheryn J Polad, Sec. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball, Tracy Gitchell | City Directory | ||
| Airport Manager: Don Friese | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau, Airport, William H Wells, Chief Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson, Manager | City Directory | ||
| Jan 19, 1965 | Watertown | FBOs at this time were Boyer Brothers and Lowinske Aviation | 1965 Facility Data Record |
| Jun 5, 1965 | Huron | Western Airlines discontinued service to Huron | Huron Revisited |
| 1966 | Huron | Airport: A government recognized and approved airport is located one mile north of the city limits, with 24 hour passenger and refueling service. Huron is located on north-south and east-west routes, with daily air passenger and mail service. The airport is equipped with lighting facilities for night flying and has a northwest-southeast concrete runway 5100 feet long and construction starting on a new 300 foot [sic] [should be 3000 feet] north-south runway. The latest instrument landing equipment is available at the airport. | City Directory |
| Operators: Ball Aero, Dakota Aviation, Inc., North Central Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball, Pres-mgr, Katheryn J Polad, Sec. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball | City Directory | ||
| Airport Manager: Don Friese | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau, Airport, William H Wells, Chief Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson, Manager | City Directory | ||
| Mar 1966 | Huron | Airport is 400 acres with latest FAA Navigational Aid, Maintenance Office and FAA Communication Station. There are 2 runways, 1 concrete, the other blacktop. North Central Airlines had 8 flights each day. | Our Town 1966 p39 |
| Apr 1, 1966 | Pierre | TACAN commissioned [date questionable ... see 4/21/66] | AF MMS File |
| Apr 21, 1966 | Pierre | TACAN acceptance inspection held | AF Records |
| 1967 | Huron | VOR was scheduled to be converted to a VORTAC | Huron: The Market |
| Apr 1967 | Watertown | Work begun to remodel and expand terminal building | Public Opinion 6/6/79 |
| Jun 1, 1967 | Pierre | DF commissioned [date questionable] | AF MMS File |
| 1968 | Huron | Operators: Ball Aero, North Central Airlines. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball | City Directory |
| Airport Manager: Don Friese | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau, Airport, William H Wells, Chief Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson, Manager | City Directory | ||
| Feb 1, 1968 | Watertown | North Central begins scheduled jet service into Watertown | 1968 Open House Brochure |
| Feb 8, 1968 | Watertown | Terminal building remodeled and expanded | FAA Drawing 2/8/68 |
| Feb 25, 1968 | Watertown | Open house for remodeled and expanded terminal building. There are 7 FSS specialists and 2 technicians at the facility | 1968 Open House Brochure |
| 1969 | Huron | Diamond Aviation began operations in new building [Huron Revisited says: Late 50's] | Huron Revisited |
| Operators: Ball Aero, Diamond Aviation, North Central Airlines. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball, Diamond Aviation: Floyd a Kjerstad, mgr | City Directory | ||
| Airport Manager: Don Friese | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau, Airport, William H Wells, Chief Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson, Manager | City Directory | ||
| May 19, 1969 | Watertown | Ceiling light modified | Operation Manual |
| 1970 | Watertown | Lake City Aviation (formerly Hubbard Aviation) discontinued business | Public Opinion 6/6/79 |
| 1970 | Huron | The Huron Airport handles eight daily flights by North Central Airlines. Direct service is provided to the Twin Cities, Chicago and Sioux Falls. The airport is in the process of expansion to accommodate added flights and larger aircraft. A new control tower, instrument approach and runway systems are being considered. Recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration the airport is located one mile north of the city limits, with 24 hour passenger and refueling service. Huron is located on north-south and east-west routes with flights in all directions. | City Directory |
| Walt Ball bought out Diamond Aviation and formed Ball Aero | Huron Revisited | ||
| Operators: Ball Aero, North Central Airlines. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball | City Directory | ||
| Airport Manager: Don Friese | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau, Airport, William H Wells, Chief Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson, Manager | City Directory | ||
| Dec 10, 1971 | Brookings | Brookings VOR/RCO commissioned | Facility Data Report |
| 1972 | Watertown | Alden facsimile installed at FSS | Facility Data Report |
| 1972 | Huron | Operators: Ball Aero, North Central Airlines. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball | City Directory |
| Airport Manager: Don Friese | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau, Airport, Robert E Fennell, Chief Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson, Manager, FAA Airway Facilities Office: John F Trinko, Unit Chief | City Directory | ||
| Mar 10, 1972 | Watertown | FSS staff is: Chief, 6 specialists, AF unit chief and 1 ET | FAA Intercom 3/10/72 |
| Apr 12, 1972 | Pierre | Facsimile installed at FSS | Pierre FSS records |
| Sep 14, 1972 | Denver | FSS frequencies 122.3 and 122.6 were to be changed to a standard enroute simplex frequency of 122.2. [This letter contains a list of FSS locations and frequencies] [Note: Bismarck must have had an FSS at this time] | RM Region Letter 7/10/72 |
| 1972 | Pierre | Runway 13-31 improvements accomplished during 1972 at cost of $330,000 | Pierre FSS records |
| 1972 | Huron | Beadle County paid City of Huron $105,000 toward runway extension in 1972 | Beadle County Survey |
| Feb 15, 1973 | Pierre | Airport manger Walter Heubner. Ice Flying Service owned and operated by Cecil Ice provided charter, rental, crop dusting and Piper aircraft sales. Schmit Aviation, Inc.. owned by American Sioux Tribe and operated by Douglas Schmit provides charter and instruction. Western and North Central Airlines each provide 2 eastbound and 2 westbound flights each day (total of 8 flights). There are 51 single engine and 7 light twins based at Pierre. | 2/15/73 Airport Traffic Survey |
| Mar 29, 1973 | Watertown | ILS commissioned | Facility Data Record |
| Mar 29, 1973 | Pierre | ILS commissioned [according to Pierre FSS records it cost $57,600] | 8/27/73 Airport Traffic Survey |
| Apr 13, 1973 | Pierre | Great Falls Service F (interphone) decommissioned | ILS commissioned |
| Jun 20, 1973 | Pierre | MALSR commissioned [according to Pierre FSS records it cost $49,400] | 8/27/73 Airport Traffic Survey |
| Jun 22, 1973 | Watertown | MALSR commissioned | Facility Data Report |
| Aug 27, 1973 | Pierre | [Apparently airport was not satisfied with results from 2/15/73 Traffic Survey because it was done during winter and thus during low traffic period] Toby Kirkpatrick now manager of Schmit Aviation, Inc.., no longer approved for VA flight instruction. Taxiway light and new runway lights to be installed before December | 8/27/73 Airport Traffic Survey |
| Oct 11, 1973 | Pierre | NDB (347khz) decommissioned | Pierre FSS records |
| Dec 12, 1973 | Watertown | VASI installed on runways 12, 30 and 17 | Facility Data Record |
| 1973 | Pierre | Runway and taxiway lighting and fencing accomplished during 1973 at cost of $103,000 [see 8/27/73] | Pierre FSS records |
| 1974 | Huron | Operators: Ball Aero, North Central Airlines. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball | City Directory |
| Airport Manager: Don Friese | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau, Airport, Robert E Fennell, Chief Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson, Manager, FAA Airway Facilities Office: John F Trinko, Unit Chief | City Directory | ||
| Apr 16, 1974 | Watertown | REIL 30 installed | Facility Data Record |
| 1974 | Pierre | Fire station was built for $77,293 and fire trucks purchased for $99,000 during 1974 | Pierre FSS records |
| Feb 6, 1975 | Pierre | New facsimile installed | Pierre FSS records |
| Jun 14, 1975 | Watertown | Kerr-Magee Saberliner crashed during takeoff runway 17. Ingested sea gulls. [Ken Baenan on duty] | Public Opinion |
| Sep 26, 1975 | Pierre | Runway 13-31 and "new connecting taxiways" friction coated and painted | Pierre FSS records |
| Oct 12, 1975 | Watertown | Alden 9721C facsimile installed | Facility Data Record |
| Oct 16, 1975 | Pierre | First new crash truck put in service | Pierre FSS records |
| Oct 24, 1975 | Pierre | VASI for Runways 7, 25 and 13 put in service | Pierre FSS records |
| 1976 | Huron | The Huron Airport handles three daily flights by North Central Airlines. Direct service is provided to Aberdeen, Chicago and Sioux Falls. The airport has recently been expanded to accommodate added flights and larger aircraft. A new control tower, instrument approach and runway systems are being considered. Recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration the airport is located one mile north of the city limits, with 24 hour passenger and refueling service. Huron is located on north-south and east-west routes with flights in all directions. | City Directory |
| Operators: Ball Aero, North Central Airlines. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball | City Directory | ||
| Airport Manager: Don Friese | City Directory | ||
| Weather Bureau, Airport, Robert E Fennell, Chief Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson, Manager, FAA Airway Facilities Office: John F Trinko, Unit Chief | City Directory | ||
| Oct 14, 1976 | Pierre | Engine generator decommissioned | Pierre FSS records |
| 1977 | Huron | Ball Aero sold to Thorson Aviation | Huron Revisited |
| Operators: Ball Aero, North Central Airlines. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball | City Directory | ||
| Airport Manager: Don Friese | City Directory | ||
| National Weather Service: Robert E Fennell, Chief Meteorologist | City Directory | ||
| FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson, Manager, FAA Airway Facilities Office: John F Trinko, Unit Chief | City Directory | ||
| May 10, 1977 | Watertown | BUEC installed | FAA Drawing 5/10/77 |
| Sep 15, 1977 | Pierre | FSS remodeling project completed at cost of $10,500 | Pierre FSS records |
| Oct 10, 1977 | Pierre | REIL 13 commissioned | Pierre FSS records |
| 1978 | Huron | Operators: Thorson Aviation, North Central Airlines. Thorson Aviation: Steven Thorson | City Directory |
| Airport Manager: Don Friese | City Directory | ||
| National Weather Service: Donald Kluckman, Meteorologist In Charge | City Directory | ||
| FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson, Manager, FAA Airway Facilities Office: Willard Rogge, Unit Chief | City Directory | ||
| Jul 24, 1978 | Pierre | Runway 7-25 closed for resurfacing and construction of diagonal taxiway from point adjacent terminal | Pierre FSS records |
| Sep 1, 1978 | Watertown | Wind sensors relocated from roof to enter of field | Facility Data Record and FAA Drawing 8/31/78 |
| Nov 7, 1978 | Pierre | Runway 7-25 and taxiway open [see 7/24/78] | Pierre FSS records |
| 1979 | Huron | Operators: Thorson Aviation, North Central Airlines. Thorson Aviation: Steven Thorson | City Directory |
| Airport Manager: Don Friese | City Directory | ||
| National Weather Service: Donald Kluckman, Meteorologist In Charge | City Directory | ||
| FAA Flight Service Station: Clair E Wilson, Manager, FAA Airway Facilities Office: Willard Rogge, Unit Chief | City Directory | ||
| Jan 18, 1979 | Pierre | Multichannel recorder installed | Pierre FSS records |
| May 24, 1979 | Watertown | REIL 12 installed | Facility Data Record |
| Jul 17, 1979 | Minneapolis | North Central merged with Southern Airlines and changed name to Republic Airlines | Daily Plainsman 6/15/80 |
| Jun 12, 1980 | Pierre | ILS DME commissioned | Pierre FSS records |
| Jul 8, 1980 | Watertown | Remote Reading Hygrothermometer installed | AF Warranty Records |
| Aug 1, 1980 | Pierre | ILS DME commissioned [printout] [date questionable] | AF MMS File |
| Oct 31, 1980 | Pierre | Inflight console project completed [may have been when they replaced big windows] | Pierre FSS records |
| 1981 | Huron | Republic Airlines discontinued service to Huron. At the end Republic had only 2 daily flights to Sioux Falls. They were replaced briefly by Northern Airlines, which went broke, then Mesaba began service | Huron Revisited |
| 1982 | Huron | Thorson Aviation sold to Dan Parrish and name changed to Huron Aviation | Huron Revisited |
| Gene Dargatz purchased Hebron Air Service | Huron Revisited | ||
| Jul 5, 1983 | Pierre | General Aviation ramp work started ($800,000 project) | Pierre FSS records |
| Nov 30, 1983 | Pierre | Airport terminal modernization competed. New windows in FSS | Pierre FSS records |
| Jun 1984 | Watertown | leased Service A equipment installed | FAA messages |
| Jul 26, 1984 | Watertown | Second generation VORTAC commissioned | NOTAM |
| Aug 9, 1984 | Watertown | Service A converted to Leased Service A Equipment | Letter |
| Aug 30, 1984 | Dupree | Second generation VORTAC commissioned | Pierre FSS records |
| Sep 15, 1984 | Rapid City | Second generation VORTAC commissioned | Pierre FSS records |
| Oct 4, 1984 | Winner | Second generation VOR commissioned | Pierre FSS records |
| Oct 24, 1984 | Pierre | Last Western Airlines flight in/out of Pierre after 45 years of service | Pierre FSS records |
| Nov 4, 1984 | Rapid City | VOR voice remoted to PIR | Pierre FSS records |
| Aug 12, 1985 | Philip | Second generation VORTAC commissioned | Pierre FSS records |
| Dec 15, 1985 | Watertown | Republic Airlines discontinued service and replaced by Republic Express | Public Opinion |
| 1986 | Huron | Jim Martini, Jon Gilchrist and Gene Dargatz purchase Huron Aviation and form AeroWorld | Huron Revisited |
| Mar 1986 | Watertown | Service B converted to Leased Service A & B (LABS) equipment | message |
| Oct 1, 1986 | Watertown | Mesaba Airlines began service, replacing Republic Express following the merger of Republic Airlines and Northwest Airlines. After merger Northwest "assigned" the Dakotas to Mesaba and Michigan to Republic Express | personal knowledge |
| Sep 1987 | Huron | Huron AFSS commissioned | personal knowledge |
| Jan 7, 1988 | Watertown | Article on weather observations. Jim Anez in photo reading thermometers | Public Opinion |
| May 1988 | Brookings | Huron AFSS assumed monitor of Brookings VOR and RCO | personal knowledge |
| May 1988 | Huron | Huron AFSS assumed tie-in responsibility for all airports along highway 14. Formerly Watertown FSS tie-in airports | personal knowledge |
| Jul 1988 | Watertown | Princeton AFSS assumed control of Madison, Minnesota RCO | personal knowledge |
| Oct 14, 1988 | Huron | Huron AFSS assumed monitoring responsibility and voice capabilities for Pierre, Rapid City, Wine, Dupree and Philip VOR/VORTACs. Frequency 122.1 decommissioned at Pierre | Pierre FSS records |
| Jan 3, 1989 | Watertown | Article on weather. Tim Baker in photo looking at weather maps | Public Opinion |
| Apr 1, 1989 | Huron | Huron AFSS assumed tie-in responsibility for all airports belonging to Pierre FSS | Pierre FSS Records |
| Jan 31, 1991 | Huron | Mesaba discontinued service to Mitchell, Brookings and Huron. Replaced tie GP Express with flights Mitchell-Huron-Brookings-Minneapolis in Beech 1900 | personal knowledge |
| Feb 22, 1991 | Pierre | Intra-state airline discontinued service due to lack of use | personal knowledge |
| Oct 1991 | Pierre | State subsidized intra-state airline began operation. Service provided by GP Express. Flights with Beech 99 Spearfish-Pierre-Sioux Falls and return twice a day. Cessna 402 flew Yankton-Mitchell-Huron-Pierre-Aberdeen-Brooking-Sioux Falls and reverse twice a day. | personal knowledge |
| Sep 22, 1993 | Rapid City | Rapid City FSS decommissioned at 12:01am | personal knowledge |
| Sep 29, 1993 | Aberdeen | Aberdeen FSS decommissioned at 10pm | personal knowledge |
| Aug 12, 1994 | Watertown | Watertown FSS decommissioned at 10pm | personal knowledge |
| Sep 10, 1997 | Pierre | Pierre FSS decommissioned at 12:01am | personal knowledge |
