Arthur L. "Al" Welsh; Early Wright Exhibition and Test Pilot

Laibel Wellcher was born in Kiev, Ukraone, then a part of Russia, August 14, 1881. He was one of a large family that immigrated to the United States in 1890 when he was nine years old. They eventually ending up living in the Washington, D.C., area. Willcher received his elementary education from a retired teacher who lived with the family, and was particularly adept at mathematics, languages, and pen and pencil etching. Athletically inclined, he learned to be an expert swimmer and oarsman. He became a naturalized citizen.

Willlcher enlisted in the United States Navy at Washington, D. C. April 17, 1901. He changed his name to Arthur L. Welsh in order to make it sound more “American.” He served on the USS Hancock and USS Monongahela. During his service he was stationed at Guantanamo, Cuba, for a time, and was honorably discharged April 16, 1905.

In May, 1905, he became seriously ill with typhoid fever and was hospitalized for four months. A long period of convalescence followed during which he dreamed of flying machines and flying, for he had been interested in aviation since the first reports of man’s ability to fly. Welsh furthered his education and became a bookkeeper, and at the same time was a boys’ physical education instructor, but his inner interest was in aviation. He studied everything he could obtain concerning it and saw Orville Wright make the public demonstration flights before War Department staff officers and high government officials at Fort Myer, Virginia in September 1908. He was there again when both Orville and Wilbur completed these tests in June and July 1909. At that time Welsh was a bookkeeper for the Gas Pintach Company of Washington, D.C.

After observing Orville Wright fly during these tests Welsh’s interest intensified and he resolved to learn to fly. He idolized the Wright brothers and felt they represented all that was worthwhile in aviation. In the fall of 1909 Welsh started writing to the Wrights about employment with them. These letters seeking employment were basically ignored. Not discouraged, Welsh made a trip to Dayton to meet the Wrights and press his interest on them. His sincere persistence won over the brothers. The Wrights explained they had no openings but agreed to take him on as soon as conditions would allow.

Training

Later that year the Wrights decided to go into the exhibition business to demonstrate and promote their aircraft. They hired renowned balloon and dirigible man, Roy Knabenshue, to become their exhibition manager and run the program. Knabenshue was well versed in the necessary procedures and problems involved in carrying on such activities. They needed . . .