note

Lake Central Airlines can trace its history to flight school and air taxi operation founded in 1940 by Roscoe Turner - Worl War I aviation hero. New company was called Roscoe Turner Aeronautical Corp or RTAC. After World War II Civil Aeronautical Board was giving out permits to operate interstate airline service. In 1948 RTAC applied for routes in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Illinois and Ohio. Permition was finnaly granted and after securing new capital from Weesner brothers RTAC was able to obtain surplus DC-3 and commenced scheduled flights in November 1949 as CAB's "local service carrier". At this time new name Turner Airlines was adopted. Its EVP became R, Paul Weesner who was previously with NATS. 4 DC-3s were acquired from NATS in exchange for Stock. Year later Richmond and Boominton in Indiana were added and airline changed its name to Lake Central Airlines. Airline was able to turn its DC-3s in 4 minutes at some airports. In 1955 Weesner brothers sold their stake to Lake Central employees, effectively making it first employee owned airline in the USA. Airline was making money and its network grew steadily. Washington, DC, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Erie and Martingsburg were added to its network. In 1960 Lake Central introduced second hand Convair CV-340s. In March 1965 Lake Central received its first new aircraft, French made Nord 262 predecessor of todays ATR. Lake Central intended to replace its DC-3s with Nords and signed order for 8 with options for another 13. Nord however turned out to be problematic. In 1966 three of them blew their engines while in flight and whole fleet had to be grounded. Meanwhile many CV-340s were converted to turboprop CV-580s. Grounding of Nord's caused airline financial difficulties. In 1967 new CEO Thomas Fergusson who was previously with Allegheny Airlines took over. He introduced new PR campaign at center of which were big heart drawn at tails of its aircraft in red field. The same year last DC-3 was retired. In March 1968 shareholders decided to merge airline with rival Allegheny.

founded - demised (age)

November 1949 - June 1 1968  (19)

headquarters

Weir Cook Airport, Indianapolis, IN

web

base airports

KCLE Hopkins International Cleveland
KCMH Port Columbus International Columbus
KCVG Northern Kentucky International Cincinnati - Covington
KIND International Indianapolis

related operators

Allegheny Airlines

merged 1968