HISTORY
McPhillips Flying Service Established Joe McPhillips started this service with a Sikorsky Flying Boat (pictured). The McPhillips family (Joe, Ane’, and Bruce) ran this business until 1975.
Welke family purchased farm from Mel Gallagher (Big Owen Gallagher’s daughter). Work was started immediately to convert vacant farm fields into a “landing strip”. By the time the family moved to the Island in the late ‘60’s, the east/west runway was complete and the airport was a licensed facility.
Welke family moved to Beaver Island. Bill & Betty moved their family to the Island and started several businesses including Welke Excavating.
Welke Aviation established by Paul, Bill, and Welke with one Piper Apache in January and by the end of the first year had acquired an additional three Apaches.
First two Britten Norman Islanders added to the fleet.
Islanders are known as dependable, sturdy, and perfect for “island hopping” air services. See brittennorman.com for additional information.
Kilo Mike added to the fleet (BN Islander) (80KM).
This fifth airplane creates one of the largest fleets of Islanders in the United States. These planes are used throughout the world in operations similar to Island Airways
Island Airways becomes an FAA Certified Repair Station.
This designation by the FAA signifies that the Island Airways maintenance department has been certified as a Britten Norman Islander repair station. Bill Welke passes away on December 7
Restoration of Bill Welke’s Piper Apache (4011P) is completed. Paul Welke worked for nearly four years to restore his father’s last airplane. It is returned to the fleet and is known as the “red plane” – it is the most requested plane in the fleet. This plane belonged to Joe McPhillips in the 1950s and 1960s.
Islander 866JA is completely refurbished including a conversion to single pilot IFR capabilities. This is the first Islander in the fleet to be IFR
(instrument flight rules) capable. Island Airways adds a Piper Aztec to the charter department. This all weather aircraft is a fully deicing equiped twin. Since this aircraft was added to the fleet it has chartered to Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and many other destinations.
After many years of lobbying and working with local, state, and federal agencies, Charlevoix Airport is granted lower IFR / GPS minimums. Paul Baron actively pursued this designation prior to his passing. This designation will allow for fewer days lost to bad weather. Betty Welke passes away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Paul Baron passes away unexpectedly.
HISTORY
McPhillips Flying Service Established Joe McPhillips started this service with a Sikorsky Flying Boat (pictured). The McPhillips family (Joe, Ane’, and Bruce) ran this business until 1975.
Welke family purchased farm from Mel Gallagher (Big Owen Gallagher’s daughter). Work was started immediately to convert vacant farm fields into a “landing strip”. By the time the family moved to the Island in the late ‘60’s, the east/west runway was complete and the airport was a licensed facility.
Welke family moved to Beaver Island. Bill & Betty moved their family to the Island and started several businesses includeing Welke Excavating.
Welke Aviation established by Paul, Bill, and Welke with one Piper Apache in January and by the end of the first year had acquired an additional three Apaches.
First two Britten Norman Islanders added to the fleet.
Islanders are known as dependable, sturdy, and perfect for “island hopping” air services. See brittennorman.com for additional information.
Kilo Mike added to the fleet (BN Islander) (80KM).
This fifth airplane creates one of the largest fleets of Islanders in the United States. These planes are used throughout the world in operations similar to Island Airways
Island Airways becomes an FAA Certified Repair Station.
This designation by the FAA signifies that the Island Airways maintenance department has been certified as a Britten Norman Islander repair station. Bill Welke passes away on December 7
Restoration of Bill Welke’s Piper Apache (4011P) is completed. Paul Welke worked for nearly four years to restore his father’s last airplane. It is returned to the fleet and is known as the “red plane” – it is the most requested plane in the fleet. This plane belonged to Joe McPhillips in the 1950s and 1960s.
Islander 866JA is completely refurbished including a conversion to single pilot IFR capabilities. This is the first Islander in the fleet to be IFR
(instrument flight rules) capable. Island Airways adds a Piper Aztec to the charter department. This all weather aircraft is a fully deicing equiped twin. Since this aircraft was added to the fleet it has chartered to Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and many other destinations.
After many years of lobbying and working with local, state, and federal agencies, Charlevoix Airport is granted lower IFR / GPS minimums. Paul Baron actively pursued this designation prior to his passing. This designation will allow for fewer days lost to bad weather. Betty Welke passes away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Paul Baron passes away unexpectedly.
