Archie League is shown while on duty during the summer at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. His equipment included rolled-up flags in the wheelbarrow, the dangling lunch box, a folding chair, drinking water, and a pad for taking notes.
Born
(1907-08-19)August 19, 1907
Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Died
October 1, 1986(1986-10-01) (aged 79)
Annandale, Virginia
Education
Degree in aeronautical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis
Employer
Federal Aviation Administration
Known for
Generally considered the first air traffic controller.
Website
Air Traffic Control Begins
Archie William League (August 19, 1907 – October 1, 1986) is generally considered the first air traffic controller in the United States.[1]
League had been a licensed pilot, and licensed engine and aircraft mechanic. He had barnstormed around in Missouri and Illinois with his "flying circus," prior to St. Louis hiring him as the first U.S. air traffic controller in 1929.[2] He was stationed at the airfield in St. Louis, Missouri (now known as Lambert-St. Louis International Airport). 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.[3]
League went on to earn a degree in aeronautical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis. League joined the Federal service in 1937 at the Bureau of Air Commerce (the precursor to the Civil Aeronautics Authority, and the Federal Aviation Administration). He rose rapidly through the ranks as an air traffic controller, served as a pilot in World War II (where he rose to the rank of colonel) then progressed to his first top management position in 1956, as Assistant Regional Administrator of the Central Region. He next went to Washington 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 Fort Worth 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 FAA's Air Traffic Service director and retired as an Assistant Administrator for Appraisal in 1973.[4][5] During his 36-year career he helped develop the federal air traffic control system.[2] The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) named the Archie League Medal of Safety Awards after him.[6]
He was born in 1907 at Poplar Bluff, Missouri, in Butler County to Achen (Archie) L. League, (little known Klondike adventurer and early radio pioneer) and Itasca Snow League (born Magner).[7] He died on October 1, 1986, at the age of 79 in Annandale, Virginia.[8]
^"History of Air Traffic Control". Air Traffic Controllers' Guild (India). Archived from the original on 2021-02-09. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
^ ab"1926-1935: Lucky Lindy and Archie League" (PDF). The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-09-29. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
^Mola, Roger. "Aircraft Landing Technology". U. S. Centennial of Flight Commission. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-07-24.
^"Archie William League". Federal Aviation Administration: Southwest Region Logistics Division. Archived from the original on 2004-11-11. Retrieved 2007-09-09.
^"Photo Album - Air Traffic Control: Air Traffic Control Begins". Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved 2007-07-24.
^"NATCA Honors Top Controller Flight Assists with Archie League Medal of Safety Awards". National Air Traffic Controllers Association. 2010-03-22. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
^Rodgers, Brenda (transcription); Hudson, Mary (proofreading) (2000). "Butler Co., Missouri 1910 Federal Census - pg 254a-257a.txt". Transcription of 1910 Census. rootsweb. pp. 256a line 64. Retrieved 2007-09-09.
^Roz, Ellen. "Archie W. League". Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
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