Idlewild Tower: Instrument Flying in the '50s

[Scott Dyer HPN/NY]

Here's an article from Air Facts, about the IFR arrival procedures at Idlewild in the early '50s, by Wolfgang Langewiesche. It's fascinating. Ignore the 707 picture in the thumbnail, please.

https://airfactsjournal.com/2025/11/from-the-archives-bringing-em-in-at-idlewild/?utm_source=MarketingEmail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FF25113A&utm_term=READ%20MORE&utm_content=Fast%20Five%20-%20November%2022&_kx=E5aiGuegG0u9ndieAZO34MtGyf2Np8dK5OTksEmzrq8.XqUppG

[John O'Shaughnessy [FCM]]

Thanks for posting that, Scott. Reminded me a bit of the introduction to each chapter in the Peter Dogan IFR training book. When I started instrument training, I wasn't using radar ranges, but I was training with NDB approaches and luckily, two VHF VOR receivers. No GPS, no Loran. I'm curious how today's pilots mentally connect with this history.

[Ray Tackett]

In 1954, I was nine. I grew up east of KYIP (then Detroit's airport) and north-northwest of KDTW. (then ANG,cargo, and inernational). Not only lots of aircraft types back then, but I learned about radio ranges (I lived under "N" of some range), and also heard the buzz of Loran. My father was an electrical engineer, radio hobbyist, and USAAF veteran, so I saw and heard it all.

Also flew from YIP to MSY and back every summer, spending time with my maternal grandfather in the French Quarter. (DC 3, 4,, 6, Constellation, CV340, and Viscount). "Cute Little Kid" often got invited to the cockpit for a brief visit.