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Archives at The Museum of Flight


Wien, Noel, 1899-1977

 Person

Biographical Note

Noel Wien (June 8, 1899 – July 19, 1977) was an American pioneer aviator. He was the founder of Wien Air Alaska.

Noel Wien was born on June 8, 1899 in Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin. He learned to fly in May 1921 and began barnstorming. For a time, circa 1922-1924, Wien flew for the Federated Flyers Flying Circus. Shortly after he and his brother, Ralph, worked for the Fairbanks Airplane Company, until late 1925.

He founded Wien Alaska Airways in 1927, with a weekly trip from Fairbanks to Nome, Alaska. In 1929, he sold the airline to Avco, which merged into Alaskan Airways, Inc. Wien remained as a pilot until January 1932. In August 1932, he re-started Wien Airways of Alaska, Inc. Wien was an active pilot until 1956.

Noel Wien married Ada Bering Arthurs on May 19, 1929. The couple had two sons. He died on July 19, 1977.

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Biographical Information Files - W

 Sub-Group
Scope and Contents Individuals whose names begin with W: Wackett, Lawrence, Sir [Director, Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation] "Some Experiences of a Pioneer in the Aircraft Industry in Australia." Journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society, May 1959. Waddell, Jack [Boeing engineering test pilot] "Getting Ready for the Big One," Boeing magazine, December 1968 Wade,...

John and Alan Blum Northwest Aviation Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 2009-09-04
Abstract The John and Alan Blum Northwest Aviation Collection consists of visual and textual materials related to the lives and careers of John and Alan Blum. John founded the Northwest Air Service Company and Alan served as President after his brother died in a plane crash in 1931.

The James H. Dilonardo Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 2006-01-21
Abstract James H. Dilonardo was a local aviation enthusiast strongly tied to Boeing Field and The Museum of Flight. His collection consits of photographs, textual materials, sound recordings, and film largely related to aviation in Seattle, Washington and the Pacific Northwest.

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