In the early 1940s flocks of little planes piloted by mechanics, storekeepers, teachers, bakers, and other enthusiasts were called into service with Minnesota’s Civil Air Patrol. After the outbreak of World War II, the federal government counted 27,500 civilian pilots and close to 100,000 civilian flyers. Many were put to use by the United States Army and Navy. The Office of Civilian Defense enrolled 15,000 pilots to patrol defense areas and communication lines, carry messages, ferry defense officials, and investigate unregistered aircraft. Six hundred of these pilots were from Minnesota.
At the Robbinsdale Airport, a squadron of 45 volunteers that included 30 pilots spent weekends formation flying, scouting, and hedge-hopping. The Squadron flew 23 two-seater, 50-78 horsepower “Cubs.” These planes had a cruising speed between 80 and 90 miles an hour and a ceiling of 13,000 feet. At the time private pilots without a two-way radio were not allowed to fly above 3,500 feet. Most of the planes weighed less than 1,000 pounds. They had a cruising range of about 300 miles and could stay in the air for nearly four hours.
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) fliers were all volunteers. They provided their own planes, services, gas, and oil. In 1942, the Elks Club in downtown Minneapolis hosted a ground school for the Robbinsdale fliers. Twenty-five men and women were rushed through 230 hours of training. They studied aerial photography, radio operations, Morse code, and telegraphy. Three-hour sessions one night a week included instruction in military drill and first aid.
Volunteers with commercial licenses and more than 200 flying hours were designated as first lieutenants. Beginners with student licenses were called flying cadets. Their uniforms consisted of overseas caps with flying insignias, khakis, and neck ties. They carried maps, field glasses, and first aid kits in their planes. According to the Minneapolis Tribune four of Robbinsdale’s pilots were women.
The Robbinsdale Airport was located where Welcome Park is today. The facility was shut down after World War II and the Civil Air Patrol relocated to the Crystal Airport.
