Summary
Bill Welke was the licensed flying instructor who led the Beaver Island Flying Club in January 1971. The Beaver Beacon also refers to members flying in Welke’s plane.
Evidence and limits
This is an episode-qualified record. The source does not expand Bill Welke’s given name, identify his aircraft, or establish his licensing history beyond the article’s description.
Open questions
- What aircraft did Welke own or operate for the club?
- Are pilot, school, or airport records available?
See also
- Beaver Island Flying Club (1971)
- Formation and first flights of the Beaver Island Flying Club (1971)
Sources
- Beaver Beacon, January 1971, “Beaver Island Kids Start Flying Club.”Identifies Bill Welke as a licensed flying instructor leading the club and refers to members flying in Welke’s plane; it provides no full biography, aircraft identity, or pilot record.
- Beaver Beacon, January 1973, “Full Time Law Officer.”Reports Welke’s appointment as a year-round Charlevoix County deputy sheriff on Beaver Island; it does not establish personnel, salary, oath, or jurisdictional records.
- Beaver Beacon, February 1973, “Game News.”Names Bill Welke as the pilot in a reported Cessna flight that dropped mineral salt blocks on Garden and Beaver Islands; it does not identify the aircraft registration or exact date.
- Beaver Beacon, February 1973, “Future Snowmobilers.”Reports Welke teaching a Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Department snowmobile safety course in which thirteen students were certified.
- Beaver Beacon, February 1973, “Peaine Township.”Reports Welke’s temporary appointment to the Peaine Township Zoning Board during Paul Welke’s military service; it does not establish formal appointment records or term dates.
- Beaver Beacon, January 1974, “Men Against The Sea.”Reports Deputy Bill Welke flying his plane the morning after New Year’s Eve to locate two Lansing Shoal Light Station crew members trapped in drift ice near Garden Island, after which Coast Guard helicopter assistance was dispatched; it does not identify the plane or rescue crew.
- Beaver Beacon, March 1974, “Game News.”Reports Sheldon Parker and Bill Wagner using Bill Welke’s airplane to drop four salt blocks on Garden Island and one on Hog Island; it does not identify the aircraft or provide a flight log.