Flying With The Schweizers: The Story of Schweizer Aircraft
by: William and Paul H. Schweizer
Flying With The Schweizers The Story of Schweizer Aircraft
by: William and Paul H. Schweizer
General Description
Flying With The Schweizers The Story of Schweizer Aircraft – The story of Schweizer Aircraft is the story of the American dream. Three brothers became enamored with flight during the golden age of aviation. Aviation becomes their passion. In 1930, they design, build, and then teach themselves to fly in their first glider. They pursue their dream and create a company that eventually produces over six thousand aircraft. The company's products make aviation history. Bill Schweizer tells the story of those early years – up to the transition of the company in 1981 to the second generation of Schweizers. Paul H. Schweizer picks up the story from there. The Schweizers' entrepreneurial approach to business and refusal to let go of their dream resulted in the company becoming an industry leader in sailplanes, agricultural spray aircraft, light helicopters, covert surveillance aircraft, and unmanned vehicles. The diversity of its aviation products made it unique. At the time the business was sold to Sikorsky Aircraft in 2004, Schweizer Aircraft was the oldest privately–owned aircraft manufacturer in the world. It is a remarkable story that will inspire others with a passion and a dream.
Flying With The Schweizers The Story of Schweizer Aircraft price varies depending on selection above.
| Pages | 348 pages Dozens of Black and White photos |
| Publisher | iUniverse (June 1, 2019) |
| Format | Hardcover and Softcover |
| Dimensions | 6x9 |
| Language | English |
Table of Contents
Part 1
The Founding Fathers: The First Generation
Forward to Part 1: Boyd McDowell II
Chapter 1...The Boys in the Schweizer Barn (1930–1935)
Chapter 2...Founding of Schweizer Aircraft Corp. (1936–1940)
Chapter 3...World War II Era (1941–1945)
Chapter 4... Post–World War II era (1946–1949)
Chapter 5...Korean War Period (1950–1953)
Chapter 6...Back to a Peacetime Economy (1954–1957)
Chapter 7...Birth of the AG Cat (1958–1960)
Chapter 8...The Sailplane Market Finally Arrives (1961–1965)
Chapter 9...Ag Cats, Sailplane and surveillance Aircraft (1966–1969)
Chapter 10...The Vietnam War Peaks (1977–1980)
Chapter 11...Ag Cats Sales Take Off (1974–1977)
Chapter 12...The Winds of Change (1977–1980)
Part 2
The Second Generation
Forward to Part 2: Paul H. Schweizer
Chapter 13...Transition of Management and Ownership
Chapter 14...Purchase of 269 Series Helicopter Program
Chapter 15...Start–up of the Helicopter Program
Chapter 16...The Good Years: Profitability and Diversification
Chapter 17...The Bad Years
Chapter 18...The Japanese Connection
Chapter 19...Road to Recovery
Chapter 20...Sale of the Company
Chapter 21...How Sikorsky Destroyed the Business
Chapter 22...Epilogue
“The Schweizer's have been making aviation history since 1930, from pioneering soaring in America to producing helicopters and the legendary Ag Cat. Paul Schweizer sums up this remarkable story in a book that deserves a spot on the shelf on any aviation enthusiast.”
– Tom D. Crouch, Curator Emeritus, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
“What a fascinating trip through aviation history… It is about entrepreneurs, survivors, the history of technology, wars, politics, and supply of numerous flying machines. It is a close look at the changes requiring to survive and succeed through the many twists and turns in an important American industry… and it is a story about families and their evolution. Magnificent!”
– Bob Johnson, Chairman of Honeywell Aerospace (retired)
“This is a story well worth telling! The history of American aviation would be incomplete without recognizing the contribution of the Schweizer family. Paul and Bill have done a wonderful job of documenting and preserving this piece of history, and the aviation world owes them a debt of gratitude for this work. Aviation enthusiasts and anyone interested in entrepreneurship will enjoy this read.”
– Dean Borgman, Chairman and President of Sikorsky Aircraft (retired)
“After many highs and lows, the Schweizers sold the business in 2004 to a major US aerospace firm in an effort to protect the company's programs and employees. As too often happens, the new owners lost the company's competitive advantages by forcing it into the mold of the new parent. I loved reading this book. Anyone interested in US aviation history or who is a student of the business will also find it to be enjoyable and worthwhile.”
– Ronald B. Woodard, President of the Boeing Company (retired)
“In 1929 the Schweitzer brothers, Ernie, Paul, and Bill built their first glider – a primary – at their family home in Peekskill, NY. By the time sailplane production at Schweizer Aircraft ended in the early 1980's over 2000 had been completer. Since WWII, virtually all soaring pilots in North American have flown Schweizer sailplanes at one time or another. And based on the excellent flying characteristics and durability of their designs we'll be flying then for many years to come. For those of us who appreciate the huge contribution to the sport of soaring made by the Schweizer family, this book is a must–read.”
– Trafford Doherty, Director of the National Soaring Museum, Elmira, NY
William Schweizer was part of the first generation of the Schweizer family that started to make thousands of gliders, airplanes, helicopters, and unmanned vehicles. He was only twelve years old when the first Schweizer glider was built and joined his brothers in the newly formed Schweizer Aircraft Corp. in 1941. He retired in 1981 and continued flying sailplanes into his 1980s. He died at age ninety–eight. Paul H. Schweizer was born into aviation, and at age fourteen, he became a sailplane pilot. By the age of eighteen, he was an experienced contest pilot and a flight instructor. After graduating from Dartmouth College, he joined the Boeing Co. When he joined Schweizer Aircraft, he focused on marketing and finance. He retired in 2009, four years after Sikorsky purchased the company. He splits his time between Arizona and Utah with his wife, Lauren, and remains an active pilot.
