Preface

Robert K. “Bob” Poling, D.D.S.

   Misses Geraldine Pritchard and Lillian Myers, teachers of English and History respectively at Fort Hill High School during my school years, must be amused as they look down on me from heaven remembering how I tended to resist their excellent teaching methods.  Historical events and past happenings have always been of high interest to me and now I find myself attempting to write a history of aviation at Cumberland.  As I grew to middle age and beyond the realization came to me that no one had documented in depth the stories, events, and people associated with this important part of Cumberland’s past.  From a young age I began to accumulate photographs, newspaper articles, and stories from a variety of sources when suddenly, as a senior citizen, I realized that I was the only one left who was close to or witnessed the history of aviation in the Cumberland area from its beginning in the 1920’s to the present.

   My father, Harry K. Poling, was fascinated with flying and would take me as a young child to visit the Government Landing Field at Mexico Farms and also to the short lived Cumberland Airport at Pinto.  From those visits forward I have been impressed with airplanes and it seems that almost every aircraft encounter remains etched in my mind.  Although my dad retained his interest in aviation he would never fly, not even with me after I became a pilot.

   In the seventh grade at Fort Hill one of classmates was Floyd J. Johnson and we developed a long lasting friendship.  In 1936 when I first befriended Floyd, he captivated me with endless stories of flight activity at Mexico Farms where he lived.  I thought of the Mexico Farms air field as a sacred place and would visit as often as I could.  As a teenager I drove my parent’s car to Mexico Farms so often they became concerned with my overriding desire to be there.  Once I drove to the Johnson residence and inquired of Jerome ‘Bogus’ Johnson the whereabouts of his son, Floyd.  He informed me that Floyd had gone swimming with his sisters.  My passion for this site became obvious when the response I blurted out was, “You mean he left Mexico Farms to go to some other place!”

   While still a student at Fort Hill I was privileged to solo a yellow Piper J-3 Cub in August 1941.  During World War II I was fortunate to progress through the Aviation Cadet program as a member of Class 44-J.  In December 1944 I obtained my coveted US Army Air Force silver pilot’s wings.  My following assignments were as flight duty piloting Martin B-26 ‘Marauder’ and Consolidated B-24 ‘Liberator’ bombers.

   After the war’s end and separation from the military forces, through the generosity of the GI Bill, I graduated from the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery at the University of Maryland in 1952.  A dental practice was established in Cumberland which was continued until my retirement in 1990.  During that long time frame I participated in or witnessed the aviation activities at both the Mexico Farms Air Field and the Cumberland Municipal Airport.   One of my most pleasurable flying remembrances was teaching my young son, David, through his solo flight in our Piper Cub.  This flight, accomplished by David at the age of 16, took place at the Mexico Farms Air Field where I had learned to fly in the early 1940’s.  A pre-solo flight check was provided by William Pancake, an

FAA certified flight instructor.  David, having earned a Ph.D. in Engineering, is now an engineer with the Boeing Corporation in Philadelphia, PA.  David, I am proud to relate, still shares my enthusiasm for flying and soaring activities.

   I recall enjoyable memories with Floyd Johnson when I and other lucky individuals were seated around a fire under the stars near Mexico Farms west runway, with a bit of the bubbly to keep us warm, Floyd would relate stories that I still had not heard.  I remain fascinated by all the tales.  Often these sessions lasted well into the early morning hours.  Floyd was a treasured friend and to him goes much of the credit for initiating my obligation and determination to write this history of local aviation.  Floyd died several years ago.  My thoughts remain with him and wish I could still listen to his aviation tales.   From a young age I have loved Mexico Farms and have always desired to have a home nearby but circumstances precluded that happening.  My Piper J-3 Cub was based on that field for 27 years and was only removed due to the floods of 1996.  This move to the airport on the hill was accomplished but did bring tears to my eyes. 

   Although Mexico Farms was my first air field of affection, the Cumberland Airport has received a great amount of my attention through the years.  I have at different times based an airplane or a sailplane there.  My membership in flying organizations has been with the old Cumberland Pilot’s Club, the Cumberland Soaring Group, the Alleghany Flying Club, and the Experimental Aircraft Association, Chapter 426.  For the past eight years, in my efforts to represent the airport’s resident pilots, I have been a member of the Potomac Highlands Airport Authority which governs the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport. 

   For the past 60 years, by the grace of God, I have maintained my Commercial Pilots license, last passing my FAA flight physical examination in February, 2001.  After owning several different aircraft and sailplanes, I still own, maintain, and fly the treasured 1946 built Piper J-3 Cub, an airplane that is practically a member of the Poling family.

   There are many interesting stories, several of a humorous nature, which would be improper to relate due to the possible embarrassment and humiliation of the individuals involved.  There are also true stories that may defy imagination.  Perhaps some individuals may disagree with or not approve of my recollections and thoughts, dates, and method of presentation of the history of aviation at Cumberland.  Surely, I have missed or forgotten to include individuals or events that should appear in this manuscript but it is my sincere hope that the reader will get a feeling for the excitement and passion for the always interesting and sometimes dangerous flight activity at Cumberland’s airports.

Bob Poling’s beloved Piper J-3 Cub – N98248