Family Group Sheet
Family Group Sheet
NameWilliam Aaron Barnes
Birth25 Apr 1933, Summit Twp., Jackson Co., MI, USA
FatherCharles Aaron Barnes (1901-1985)
MotherEsther Lois Harmon (1899-1990)
Marriage25 Nov 1952, Angola, Steuben Co., IN, USA
SpouseFlorence Louise Wolf
Birth3 Nov 1935, Jackson Co., MI, USA Age: 88
Children
1 M(Private)
2 F(Private)
Notes for William Aaron Barnes
Born To Fly:
In November of 1971, William Aaron Barnes Sr. sold his Cessna 170 airplane. The Cessna was a victim of skyrocketing inflation, fuel prices, and annual inspection fees. Its sale ended a 16-year era during which "Billy" had always had his own plane. Two things it didn't end were Billy's love for flying and his family's memories of the adventures they all shared for so long.
You might say it all started when Billy was still in the crib. He'd fly his hands around and make professional landings, thus convincing his mother that he'd one day be a pilot. At an early age Billy would ride his bike to the airport to watch in fascination all the aircraft. His first flying lessons began at age 15 years, financed by the sale of some milk and a cow. When those funds ran out he went to work as a line man for Zantops Flying Service at Reynold's Field in Jackson. He started September 2, 1950, and on October 1, 1956, received his Pilot's license; the goal interrupted by several events including service in the U.S. Army After release from the Army on April 7, 1955, Billy sold his house and bought the first plane, a Cessna 120.
In the years that followed, Billy, his wife Florence, and their two children William Aaron Jr. and Zandra Denise shared many flying experiences together. Billy Jr. later wrote the account of his father's flying career in a short story entitled "Flying from the Cock-Pit," written in 1973. The following is an excerpt/paraphrase from that story, taking place in the winter of 1962.
"During all the years of flying Dad made quite a few trips for Yardman Inc. of Jackson. But of all the trips, I dare say this had to be the most daring and exciting. One time my father was flying some big-shots from Yardman and one of their sons to Springfield, Ill. It snowed so hard that the airport was only open to IFR traffic. Asking permission to land, he was requested to take a holding pattern."
The next day the newspaper read:
"Light Aircraft Lands Safely Near Cantrall"
By: Robert Estill
"A light plane running low on fuel made an emergency landing in a snow packed field near Cantrall about 7 p.m. Sunday with all four passengers walking uninjured from the downed craft. The pilot of the single engine Cessna one seventy, William Barnes of Jackson, MI was en route to Springfield with three other Jackson, MI people when he was forced to ditch his plane. The twenty-nine-year-old pilot said he was flying a holding pattern over the area waiting for clearance from Capitol Airport when he noticed the fuel shortage and ëbegan looking for a place to set his craft down.í
"Capitol Airport authorities explained that when visibility is less than three miles as it was during the snowfall Sunday incoming aircraft are required to fly in a holding pattern five miles from the airport until they can get a clearance. Barnes apparently didn't consider his fuel shortage an emergency, airport authorities said, and didn't request priority. Aware of the fuel condition and the poor visibility Barnes said he picked out the field in the event he had to make a forced landing. Barnes, who has been flying as a hobby since he was seventeen, said the landing was normal despite the fact the snow was a foot deep. He credited the plane's tricycle landing gear for his safe landing in a field near the farmhouse of Carl Engle, about a mile east of Cantrall. The plane wasn't damaged and he plans to fly it back to Jackson, Mich., today. . . ."
"At least the landing made good an assuring boast the pilot said he always made to his wife before making a flight. ëI always told her,í Barnes stated, ëthat if the power ever failed or I ran into any trouble, I could put it down in anyone's backyard.í"
In November of 1971, William Aaron Barnes Sr. sold his Cessna 170 airplane. The Cessna was a victim of skyrocketing inflation, fuel prices, and annual inspection fees. Its sale ended a 16-year era during which "Billy" had always had his own plane. Two things it didn't end were Billy's love for flying and his family's memories of the adventures they all shared for so long.
You might say it all started when Billy was still in the crib. He'd fly his hands around and make professional landings, thus convincing his mother that he'd one day be a pilot. At an early age Billy would ride his bike to the airport to watch in fascination all the aircraft. His first flying lessons began at age 15 years, financed by the sale of some milk and a cow. When those funds ran out he went to work as a line man for Zantops Flying Service at Reynold's Field in Jackson. He started September 2, 1950, and on October 1, 1956, received his Pilot's license; the goal interrupted by several events including service in the U.S. Army After release from the Army on April 7, 1955, Billy sold his house and bought the first plane, a Cessna 120.
In the years that followed, Billy, his wife Florence, and their two children William Aaron Jr. and Zandra Denise shared many flying experiences together. Billy Jr. later wrote the account of his father's flying career in a short story entitled "Flying from the Cock-Pit," written in 1973. The following is an excerpt/paraphrase from that story, taking place in the winter of 1962.
"During all the years of flying Dad made quite a few trips for Yardman Inc. of Jackson. But of all the trips, I dare say this had to be the most daring and exciting. One time my father was flying some big-shots from Yardman and one of their sons to Springfield, Ill. It snowed so hard that the airport was only open to IFR traffic. Asking permission to land, he was requested to take a holding pattern."
The next day the newspaper read:
"Light Aircraft Lands Safely Near Cantrall"
By: Robert Estill
"A light plane running low on fuel made an emergency landing in a snow packed field near Cantrall about 7 p.m. Sunday with all four passengers walking uninjured from the downed craft. The pilot of the single engine Cessna one seventy, William Barnes of Jackson, MI was en route to Springfield with three other Jackson, MI people when he was forced to ditch his plane. The twenty-nine-year-old pilot said he was flying a holding pattern over the area waiting for clearance from Capitol Airport when he noticed the fuel shortage and ëbegan looking for a place to set his craft down.í
"Capitol Airport authorities explained that when visibility is less than three miles as it was during the snowfall Sunday incoming aircraft are required to fly in a holding pattern five miles from the airport until they can get a clearance. Barnes apparently didn't consider his fuel shortage an emergency, airport authorities said, and didn't request priority. Aware of the fuel condition and the poor visibility Barnes said he picked out the field in the event he had to make a forced landing. Barnes, who has been flying as a hobby since he was seventeen, said the landing was normal despite the fact the snow was a foot deep. He credited the plane's tricycle landing gear for his safe landing in a field near the farmhouse of Carl Engle, about a mile east of Cantrall. The plane wasn't damaged and he plans to fly it back to Jackson, Mich., today. . . ."
"At least the landing made good an assuring boast the pilot said he always made to his wife before making a flight. ëI always told her,í Barnes stated, ëthat if the power ever failed or I ran into any trouble, I could put it down in anyone's backyard.í"