Lewis J. Ort was an early aviation enthusiast who had learned to fly through the instruction of Bill Rannells in a 40 hp Taylor J-2 Cub at the Cumberland Flying Service at Mexico Farms Airport in 1939. ‘Lew’, as he was known, purchased a new Piper J-3 Cub from the Cumberland Flying Service, a Piper dealer. He constructed his own hangar at the Mexico Farms Air Field. After World War II, Lew purchased a new Cessna 120 and was instrumental in promoting two successful air shows at the Cumberland Airport following the war.
There are numerous stories about Lew Ort, a fun loving pilot. Lew had installed a public address loud speaker on the bottom of the fuselage on the Cessna 120 for aerial advertising purposes. While flying along Route 36 in the George’s Creek area, Ort recognized a friend’s automobile moving towards the town of Lonaconing. Lew turned on the sound apparatus and announced on the loud speaker, “Clarence, this is the Lord speaking”. The car zig-zagged and almost became out of control. Ort was laughing heartily but kept on speaking and irritating the driver with vocal insults. Finally his friend saw the overhead Cessna and realized it was Lew Ort undertaking one of his practical jokes.
Lewis Ort in a photo taken in the 1960’s.
As a baker Lew Ort was involved in the production and marketing of his special Ort’s Bread. It is believed that he sold his Cessna 120 to help produce his highly successful Lite Diet Bread. Ort’s next aircraft was a Cessna 182 Skylane which he based on a short airstrip just slightly west of and parallel to US Route 40 in LaVale in the 1950’s. That site is now the location of Sears’ Company warehouse. With the short length of the air strip and the wind conditions it proved unsatisfactory and the Skylane was based at the Cumberland Airport. Kenneth Hager, an experienced former WW II flight instructor and former test pilot for the Fairchild Aircraft Company, was employed by Ort to assist with piloting demands during flying business trips. A six passenger Piper Lance was procured for greater utilization.
Ort was a staunch supporter of local aviation and in 1978 his firm constructed a large hangar at the Cumberland Airport. The highly successful business was known as Ort’s Incorporated and owned several sophisticated twin-engine aircraft. Those included a Beechcraft Queen Air, a Japanese built Mitsubishi MU-2 turbo prop, and a Piper Navajo, formerly owned by race car driver Mario Andretti. Ort’s last aircraft was a Piper Aerostar. These aircraft were piloted by Mike Riley and Lew’s son-in-law, Ken Idol, a former US Navy pilot. Lew Ort’s spin-off company, ‘The Fibred Group’, utilized the Aerostar in later years and was piloted by Robert A. ‘Bob’ Armstrong until 1998. Bob often remarked about how much he enjoyed flying the Aerostar and traveling with Mr. Ort.
Lewis J. Ort was a gregarious, astute, and extremely successful business man who donated his business perception for charitable purposes and his self-educated financial knowledge for a multitude of good purposes. His generosity knew few bounds and many churches of all denominations, hospitals, and other charitable organizations received the benefits of his gifts and his enthusiastic promotional activities. The local aviation community and the Cumberland area have gained great benefit from the grandiose efforts of Lew Ort.
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Wings Over Cumberland 