Together We'll Fly

In 1982, fifteen small-aircraft pilots gathered at the humble municipal airport of the little town of Salem, Indiana to form a new association. They called it the "Washington County Pilots Association," and its stated mission was "to foster a better relationship between area pilots and the greater community of Salem/Washington County." During that first meeting, the group put forth ideas for future community activities, fly-ins, fundraisers, airport improvements and guest speakers to inform, engage and inspire the pilots. Over the ensuing decades, the WCPA continued growing steadily in membership and influence, spreading the joy of aviation throughout the area. Its Aviation Awareness Days brought a well-organized and exciting annual air show to the citizens of Washington County. The group's picnics and other recreational events put out the welcome mat for anyone in the community who wanted to join their fun. Experienced WCPA pilots mentored young people who showed an interest in flying. Improvements were continually made to the airport, thanks mainly to the volunteerism of the WCPA members. Salem Airport became a standard-bearer among the national aviation community, not only because of its innovations in infrastructure and its outstanding air shows, but because of the strong community spirit among the WCPA members and its friendly outreach to the general public. This book lays out the story of aviation in Salem from the viewpoint of the WCPA's meeting minutes, newsletters and photographs. These and the other historical documents herein provide a window into the determination and heart of these dedicated volunteers and their tireless efforts to foster the love of aviation in Washington County.