National Association of Priest Pilots

The official site of the NAPP which can be found here; you are now viewing the blog of Allen Corrigan, the Local Site Host of the NAPP July, 2009 National Convention.

HISTORY OF THE NAPP: In the summer of 1963 two Kentucky priest pilots, Fathers Henry Haackeand Bob Wendeln, took a flying vacation to the West Coast. When they stopped for fuel, lodging or sight seeing they asked the airport personnel if they knew of any priests that flew. They were amazed at the number of flying padres they heard about on that trip. By the time they returned home they decided to put notices in some of the flying magazines, inviting any priest pilots to a gathering July 12 - 15, 1964 in Carrollton, Kentucky. Henry and Bob hosted over 90 priests at that fly in.


Priests were invited to recommend noted flyers to grace our presence. Fr.
Jack Lawler had become acquainted with the famous flying grandfather, Max Conrad.
He was the speaker at the first NAPP banquet and "A Flyers Rosary," composed
while flying the Atlantic in a Piper Pacer, were his closing words. That prayer
is on the NAPP membership card and directory. Jerry Mock had just recently
completed her "first woman to fly solo around the world" in her 13 year old
Cessna 180. She was a guest, as was aerobatics champion Harold Krier, who put
on a private air show for the Flying Padres.


During the ensuing year, Msgr. Robert Sennott wrote the NAPP Constitution
which was approved by the membership at the 1965 convention. NAPP incorporated
in the state of Kentucky and Fr. Al Ruschman took over the annual renewal after
the deaths of the NAPP co-founders. Msgr. Sennott was also instrumental in
having Boston's Cardinal Cushing obtain the September 29, 1964 statement from
Pope John XXIII.


At the first three conventions instructors flew with the members to bring
them up to current FAA specs. The instrument portion of a private flight check
ride had just gone into effect. AOPA developed an FAA approved program, which
when completed, entitled the pilot to obtain a Blue Seal that could be affixed
to his license indicating he met the current standards. The organization
purchased instructional materials that could be checked out for 3 months to
assist members in passing the instrument written exam. Many members availed
themselves of this service. At most conventions over the years some form of
continuing flying education has been offered to assist members in maintaining
their skills and keeping up to date on the latest regs and ever changing
technological advances.


The annual convention has taken members to places they never would have
gone and developed a bond with people of similar interests. One of the important
functions of NAPP over the years is the practice of supporting members using
aircraft in missionary work. But in the end, the greatest benefit of being an
NAPPer is the shared priesthood that unites all in a common goal while able to
enjoy the specialness of being not only a pilot, but a priest-pilot.