OK, I'm not a pilot, but I did fly a plane once. Stayed at a Holiday Inn too, but that doesn't count.

My question is if there is anyone out there who remembers hearing about a fellow named Herman Wilhelmi. Herman flew into Midway Field quite frequently, back in the days of the DC-3, et al. He had his own field South of Joliet off old Rte 66.

I'm sure he passed on back in the 80's so no one is likely to have known him personally,; just wonder if his reputation lived on in the aviation community.

Check website below...same guy??


http://www.thebigskytheory.com/wilhelmi.shtml

Sure is! and that story is absolutely true. Herman was my father's uncle. I grew up just a mile west of Wilhelmi field.

Another story I've heard is that Herman performed a barrel roll with a DC-3 (without passengers, of course)

And in his later years he flew a Bonanza....Pretty darn well, from what I remember.

Thanks for the article, Stubbleduck

I have heard of him and some very funny stories about his antics.