159:). Before the installation of a radio tower, he was a flagman who directed traffic via flags. His first "control tower" consisted of a wheelbarrow on which he mounted a beach umbrella for the summer heat. In it he carried a beach chair, his lunch, water, a notepad and a pair of signal flags to direct the aircraft. He used a checkered flag to indicate to the pilot "GO", i.e. proceed, or a red flag to indicate the pilot should "HOLD" their position. He kept warm out on the field in the winters by wearing a padded flying suit. When a radio tower was installed in the early 1930s, he became the airport's first radio controller.
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as the
Director of Southwest Region. His next assignment was in May 1965, relocating to Washington headquarters as Director of Air Traffic Services, where he became head of the staff responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the nation's air traffic control system. He eventually became
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FAA's Air
Traffic Service director and retired as an Assistant Administrator for Appraisal in 1973. During his 36-year career he helped develop the federal air traffic control system. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (
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headquarters as Chief of the
Planning Division (Planning and Development Office) in 1958. After a short assignment as Director, Bureau of National Capital Airports, he moved to
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39:. His equipment included rolled-up flags in the wheelbarrow, the dangling lunch box, a folding chair, drinking water, and a pad for taking notes.
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hiring him as the first U.S. air traffic controller in 1929. He was stationed at the airfield in St. Louis, Missouri (now known as
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in the United States. League had been a licensed pilot, and licensed engine and aircraft mechanic. He had
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Butler County to Achen (Archie) L. League, (little known
Klondike adventurer and early radio pioneer)
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182:). He rose rapidly through the ranks as an air traffic controller, served as a pilot in
405:"NATCA Honors Top Controller Flight Assists with Archie League Medal of Safety Awards"
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and Itasca Snow League (born Magner). He died on
October 1, 1986, at the age of 79 in
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135:(August 19, 1907 – October 1, 1986) is generally considered the first
300:. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). Archived from
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Rodgers, Brenda (transcription); Hudson, Mary (proofreading) (2000).
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466:. Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. Archived from
381:"Photo Album - Air Traffic Control: Air Traffic Control Begins"
435:"Butler Co., Missouri 1910 Federal Census - pg 254a-257a.txt"
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Archie League is shown while on duty during the summer at
269:. Air Traffic Controllers' Guild (India). Archived from
329:. U. S. Centennial of Flight Commission. Archived from
358:: Southwest Region Logistics Division. Archived from
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170:. League joined the Federal service in 1937 at the
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409:National Air Traffic Controllers Association
295:"1926-1935: Lucky Lindy and Archie League"
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524:Federal Aviation Administration personnel
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248:First Air Traffic Controller Remembered
157:Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
37:Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
534:McKelvey School of Engineering alumni
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205:Archie League Medal of Safety Awards
162:League went on to earn a degree in
151:with his "flying circus," prior to
539:People from Poplar Bluff, Missouri
168:Washington University in St. Louis
93:Washington University in St. Louis
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444:. rootsweb. pp. 256a line 64
267:"History of Air Traffic Control"
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385:Federal Aviation Administration
356:Federal Aviation Administration
180:Federal Aviation Administration
112:Generally considered the first
103:Federal Aviation Administration
16:American air traffic controller
529:History of air traffic control
186:(where he rose to the rank of
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327:"Aircraft Landing Technology"
509:American World War II pilots
411:. 2010-03-22. Archived from
176:Civil Aeronautics Authority
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514:American aviation pioneers
125:Air Traffic Control Begins
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164:aeronautical engineering
89:aeronautical engineering
504:Air traffic controllers
352:"Archie William League"
210:He was born in 1907 at
212:Poplar Bluff, Missouri
174:(the precursor to the
172:Bureau of Air Commerce
137:air traffic controller
114:air traffic controller
59:Poplar Bluff, Missouri
544:People from St. Louis
133:Archie William League
23:Archie William League
220:Annandale, Virginia
77:Annandale, Virginia
464:"Archie W. League"
439:Transcription of
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519:Barnstormers
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468:the original
462:Roz, Ellen.
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71:(1986-10-01)
499:1986 deaths
494:1907 births
441:1910 Census
207:after him.
141:barnstormed
488:Categories
474:2007-07-29
448:2007-09-09
419:2010-10-09
390:2007-07-24
366:2007-09-09
337:2007-07-24
311:2007-07-29
277:2007-07-29
254:References
196:Fort Worth
192:Washington
178:, and the
143:around in
87:Degree in
51:1907-08-19
153:St. Louis
84:Education
226:See also
149:Illinois
145:Missouri
99:Employer
188:colonel
121:Website
305:(PDF)
298:(PDF)
214:, in
201:NATCA
166:from
91:from
147:and
66:Died
45:Born
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