Aero Club of Rochester
The Aero Club of Rochester organized in November 1909 and was formally organized 16 Dec. 1909. Incorporation papers, which had been prepared, were soon filed and incorporation in New York State was granted 29 Dec. 1909. The impetus to form was the granting of permission to the Elbridge Engine Company by the Board of Commissioners to use Reservoir Park (a new public property donated by Kodak millionaire George Eastman) for experimental purposes by local men interested in aircraft. Was one of the 10 to 12 founders of the American Aeronautical Federation, 22 June 1910, appears to have left it for the Aero Club of America by 1911.
From November to December 1909, the charter membership grew from 40 to 65 members; after 16 December, potential new members were put on a waiting list. Initial officers elected included Charles H. Ocumpaugh, president; Harry G. Strong, Walter W. Powers, and N. R. Potter, vice presidents; Clarence W. McKay, secretary; and William J. Trimble, treasurer. By April 1910, experimental flights had been made with gliders and several local men were expected to attempt flights with machines of their own invention. Other members were interested in dirigibles and the club had recently purchased a Franco-American dirigible balloon for racing purposes; it was to be fitted with an Elbridge engine.
Affiliated with ACA in 1911 or earlier
The organization had no fixed address (1910-1919) (Source: Dir 1920, I think)
Sources
- 1909 NYT, 18 Dec.
- 1910 Aircraft, 1 Apr.
- 1910 NYT, 3, 18, 23-25 June
- ACA annuals (1911-1917, 1919)
- 2:11 Flying 34 (1913)
- 5 Flying 250 (1916)
- 6 Flying 498 (1917)
- 8 Flying 549 (1919)
- 9 Flying 50 (1920)
- Goodyear (1919), p. 11
- Dir1920
| Organization names | Aero Club of Rochester |
|---|---|
| Entity type | |
| Country | US |
| City | Rochester, New York |
| Affiliated with | ACA |
| Scope | Local |
| Started aero | 1909 |
| Ended aero | 1920 or later |
| Keywords | |
| Key people | |
| Wikidata id |
