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.

[Cole Loftus]

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.

NDB approaches were interesting, with crosswinds and precessing DGs.

[Ray Tackett]

NDB approaches were interesting, with crosswinds and precessing DGs.

Were? I did my instrument rating at KLOM when it was N67. The sole instrument approach involved flying with the needle reversed down to minimums. Had to do it for real at least twice, once while fighting "the leans".

[Rick Durden]

Were? I did my instrument rating at KLOM when it was N67. The sole instrument approach involved flying with the needle reversed down to minimums. Had to do it for real at least twice, once while fighting "the leans".

Brings back some not so good memories. First NDB approach involving tracking outbound for about five miles from the outer marker resulted in seeing the airport about a mile off the left wingtip when time ran out.

Some years ago I interviewed an Army Air Forces pilot who flew the Hump in C-46s. Their navigation was via NDBs about 100 miles apart on the route. They shot approaches down to 200 and a half at the airports in India. Much higher in Kunming, about 1,000 feet, due to mountains near the airport.

Just found the article that came out of the interview: https://avweb.com/features/serious-ifr-flying-the-hump/

[Bruce Gorrell]

Brings back some not so good memories. First NDB approach involving tracking outbound for about five miles from the outer marker resulted in seeing the airport about a mile off the left wingtip when time ran out.

Some years ago I interviewed an Army Air Forces pilot who flew the Hump in C-46s. Their navigation was via NDBs about 100 miles apart on the route. They shot approaches down to 200 and a half at the airports in India. Much higher in Kunming, about 1,000 feet, due to mountains near the airport.

Just found the article that came out of the interview: https://avweb.com/features/serious-ifr-flying-the-hump/

When I was flying Tinker Belle, we met up with a Hump pilot in Reading PA named Carl Constein. At the time he was about 80. He met the airline when we got to Reading. We were waiting for portable stairs, but he went up the boarding ladder like he was 20. He wrote a book called ”Born to fly the Hump". It was a real honor to know him.