Tex Rankin Famous Flier - Walt Bohrer - Signed - Al Gillis Copy Scarce Unique 9

Description: Available is this 68 page 8 1/2" by 11" softcover titled "Tex Rankin - America's Famous Fliers - A Pictorial History" authored and published by Walt Bohrer of Aptos California in 1966. This copy inscribed and signed to Al Gillis, who was also a flier from Montana. Tex Rankin and the author, Walt Bohrer were stunt pilots together. Rankin trained many aviators in his day. Al Gillis was born in Great Falls on Dec. 13, 1903, to Anna Gereke and William P. Gillis. He spent his entire life in Montana. His childhood summers were spent on his grandfather’s and uncle’s ranches at Stockett and Sand Coulee. During his youth, he worked at Van Loo Tobacco Co., stripping tobacco leaves; he drove for New York Taxi in Great Falls; he drove truck for Block P Mining Co. out of Monarch; and for a time, he was an apprentice machinist for the railroad. Al married Thelma Keating in 1927 and moved to Lewistown, where he worked as a chemist at Arro Oil and Refining Co., then as chief chemist for the Inland Empire Refining Co. in Spokane, Wash. It was there that his lifelong interest in flying began. He eventually bought the famous Great Lakes 2T1A from Dorothy Hester, Tex Rankin’s woman partner, both of whom flew this ship and were International Aerobatic Champions. In 1936, he and Earl Hanson formed the Gillis-Hanson Flying Service in Great Falls. Al continued this school and also started three private flying clubs, providing flying instruction to many students who went on to advanced flying, such as airlines, company pilots, Air Force and the FAA. Al was a charter member of the first Montana Pilots Association, formed in 1939. In 1940, Gillis Flying Service was awarded a government contract to provide pilot training to civilians (CPT) pending military service. The first non-college school started in Great Falls with Al as chief pilot, followed by flying programs at colleges in Great Falls and Havre. In 1942, the War Training Service sent Al to Billings to continue flight training at the Polytechnic College, now Rocky Mountain College. From 1940 to 1945, Gillis Flying Service trained over 1,500 students, many of whom continued as pilots or instructors. Al continued his flying service at Logan Airport, teaching many people to fly. He was also a CAA Flight Examiner. Al was appointed in 1946 as a Piper Aircraft, Continental and Lycoming engine distributor for Montana, parts of North Dakota and Wyoming. Even though in 1948 the Gillis Flying Service in Billings burned to the ground, Al was No. 1 in aircraft sales over 56 other worldwide sales agencies that same year. From 1949 to 1954, he was a partner in Baker Aircraft Sales of Long Beach, Calif., which was No. 1 in Piper sales for 6-1/2 years. Gillis Aviation, a corporation, was formed with Jack Riedesel in 1954 and they built the first large private aircraft hangar with a modern aircraft and engine shop at Logan Airport. In 1966, after 35 years of flying and with over 15,000 flying hours and a remarkable career in aviation, Al retired. Thank you for looking. All items will be packaged carefully for protection from moisture and rough handling.

Price: 55 USD

Location: Nampa, Idaho

End Time: 2024-12-10T22:03:43.000Z

Shipping Cost: 7.13 USD