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Air Museum of Minnesota Oral History Project: Interview with Leslie L. Schroeder

Titles: Air Museum of Minnesota Oral History Project: Interview with Leslie L. Schroeder (Supplied title)

Description: BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Leslie L. Schroeder was born in Minnesota Lake, Minnesota in 1903. He was educated in St. Paul and Faribault. He graduated from the University of Minnesota law school in 1929. During school and the Depression, he worked for the University of Minnesota athletic department. He joined the state Aeronautics commission just before World War II and was appointed first Commissioner of Aeronautics by Governor Edward Thye in 1943. He continued doing post-graduate work and passed the Minnesota bar exam in 1954. At the time of the interview he worked in administrative aviation law. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Background, when interest in aviation began, how and when learned to fly and who with; Minnesota aviation law beginnings; enabling legislation starts 1923; First state Aeronautics Commission - why organized, members; work on 1941 Aeronautics Commission - license fees, how funded, members, Minnesota Statute 360, which formed Metropolitan Airports Commission to choose site and build in Twin Cities and the State Department of Aeronautics, for system of airports statewide - purpose, authors; laws that influenced, date went into effect and consequences; Article 19 of Minnesota constitution; people who promoted it; appointment as first Commissioner of Aeronautics - accomplishments, keeping abreast of technology, method of financing; importance of jet engine in airline industry; light aircraft; first air-to-ground and air-to-air communication system for private aviation; testing of omni-range stations; radio communication systems; forecasted future of aviation versus actual developments; airplane and possibilities for travel; growth of aviation; administrative aviation law experiences. Favorite personal experiences: Meeting Frank Whittle who held first patent on jet turbine engine and designed series of jet aircraft engines for the British at the National Aviation Clinic in Kansas City; problems of airframe versus engine size and power; trying to borrow a plane after getting his license; limitations of airplanes - need place to land, be serviced and refueled. Time, financial and human losses associated with development and growth of industry. Major contributors - list of airport developers and fixed base operators. Thoughts on future of aviation. Importance of establishing physical system of airports and ongoing benefits.

Dates

  • 03/29/1980 (Creation)

Creation

Identifiers

  • Library Call Number: OH 101
  • Accession Number: AV1992.88.26

Holding Type: Oral History - Interview

Project

Quantity: 1 hour sound cassette

Format

  • Content Category: sound recordings

Measurements

  • 45 minutes length

Subjects

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Audio:

Audio Part 1

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Audio Part 2

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