Jack Vilas, 1881-1976

First Flight Across Lake Michigan


	Jack Vilas, 1913.

"First Flight Across Lake Michigan, "
Daily Journal and Tribune,
Knoxville, Tennessee: Tuesday, July 2, 1913, ,
Transcribed by Bob Davis - 8-26-06 "Chicago, July 1. -Logan A. Villas, an amateur aviator of Chicago, today made the first aeroplane flight across Lake Michigan. His trip, made in a hydroaeroplane from St. Joseph, Mich., to Chicago consumed one hour and thirty-four minutes. Villas was accompanied by William Baster, of Benton Harbor, Mich., and followed the steamship lane from St Joseph to Chicago, the distance being about 58 miles. He said shifting air currents compelled him frequently to change the level on which he was flying."


	ON JULY 1, 1913 THE FIRST FLIGHT ACROSS LAKE MICHIGAN FROM ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN TO CHICAGO, ILLINOIS WAS COMPLETED BY JACK VILAS TO RECORD THIS MILEPOST IN AVIATION HISTORY THIS TABLET IS PLACED BY THE CHICAGO AERO COMMISSION JULY, 1951

PLAQUE MARKS LAKE MICHIGAN FLIGHT One of the historic markers of which EB's are justly proud is the plaque honoring Jack Vilas, an EB past president, for the first flight across Lake Michigan, from St. Joseph, Michigan to Chicago, Illinois. That flight was made on July 1, 1913. To record this milepost in aviation history, the Chicago Aero Commission erected the plaque in July, 1951. We are sorry it does not bear the Early Bird wings.
from THE EARLY BIRDS CHIRP, JUNE 1960, NUMBER 63
1960
W. A. Patterson, President of United Air Lines Says:
"United Air Lines is pleased to announce that a Boeing 720 Jet Mainliner has been named in honor of Jack Vilas. The Jet was named the "Mainliner Jack Vilas" in ceremonies at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, June 19, in honor of Mr. Vilas' many pioneering contributions to commercial aviation".
from THE EARLY BIRDS CHIRP, JUNE 1962, NUMBER 69

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