Floyd D. Hansen papers, 1920-1996

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Hansen, Floyd D., 1907-1987
Title
Floyd D. Hansen papers
Dates
1920-1996 (inclusive)
Quantity
4 boxes, (6 linear feet)
Collection Number
UUS_COLL MSS 536
Summary
A collection of papers and other items pertaining to Floyd D. Hansen, an early pioneer of aviation in Cache Valley. Hansen was instrumental in establishing the Logan-Cache Airport and served as aiport manager from 1948 to 1972.
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Floyd D. Hansen was born September 15, 1907 in Mink Creek, Idaho. Hansen graduated from Preston High School, and afterwards attended Brigham Young University from 1922 to 1926. While attending BYU he witnessed the aerobatic performances of barnstormer Tommy Thompson, and being inspired, took his first flying lesson in 1927. From that point on Hansen’s life would revolve around the advancement of aviation.

Settling in Cache Valley in the late 1920s after learning to fly, Hansen stored and operated his biplane in a cow pasture. He avidly promoted aviation in the valley upon his arrival and was instrumental in the construction of the Logan-Cache Airport, a process which began in 1928. In April 1930, Hansen began to utilize the new airport by creating the first air service in Logan - the Hansen Flying Service, which offered sightseeing, passenger, and some express services. In 1938, Hansen was hired by the US Postal Service to fly the first airmail out of Cache Valley which occurred on May 19 of that year.

The announcement of the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) instituted by the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) in 1938 allowed for a further improvement of the Logan-Cache Airport so it could meet federal standards to train pilots under this new program in preparation for war. Hansen took advantage of this opportunity, and expanded the Hansen Flying Service in order to train pilots. The company was incorporated under the name Cache Valley Flying Service in 1941, and would soon become the single largest flight training operation in the region. At its peak the service employed fifty-five instructors and had a fleet of fifty planes. Between the two companies, over 3,000 pilots were trained at the Logan-Cache Airport from 1940 to 1946.

In 1946, Hansen sold his company to the Valley Airmotive Corporation. He became the manager of the Logan-Cache Airport in 1948 and served in that position until his retirement in 1972. Throughout those years of service he heavily promoted commercial aviation, making Logan-Cache Airport a terminal for Western Airlines, among other companies.

In addition to aviation, Hansen contributed to his community as a member of the Logan Chamber of Commerce, the Utah Civil Defense Council, the Utah Wildlife Federation, and the Imperial Glee Club. He was also an active member of the LDS church.

Floyd Hansen married Meda Althea Staley on August 18, 1928 in Preston, Idaho. Together, Floyd and Meda had four children: Keith, Brent, Dorene, and Clara. Floyd D. Hansen passed away January 28, 1987 in Logan.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains materials primarily related to Floyd D. Hansen and his involvement in aviation. The collection has been divided into four major categories: Personal History, Logan-Cache Airport, Flying Manuals/Resources, and Flying Clothing.

Hansen's collection will be of particular interest to those who study early aviation, whether it be civilian or military. Hansen was involved in the Logan-Cache Airport from its creation around 1930 through later expansions in the following decades that allowed for pilot training and commercial aviation to come to Cache Valley. The resources pertaining to the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) during World War II may be of particular interest to researchers as the Cache Valley Flying Service was the largest such training program in the region.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Floyd D. Hansen papers must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Preferred Citation

Initial Citation: Floyd D, Hansen papers USU_COLL MSS 536, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.

Following Citations:USU_COLL MSS 536, USUSCA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

This collection is arranged topically and by material type.

Processing Note

Processed in January of 2018

Acquisition Information

Dorene Hansen Squires donated the Floyd D. Hansen collection to USU Special Collections in October 2017.

Related Materials

Frank Kelsey papers (COLL MSS 467)

Frank Kelsey photograph collection (P0537)

Separated Materials

The photographs were separated and given to the photograph curator.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Personal History, 1920-1964Return to Top

This section contains materials related to Hansen’s personal life, including an aviation scrapbook, pilot logs, newspaper articles concerning his influence on aviation in Cache Valley, materials and a diploma from his schooling, and personal correspondence..

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
International Correspondence Schools Examinations
1927-1928
1 2
International Correspondence Schools Examinations
1928-1929
1 3
Pilot Log Book
1930-1934
1 4
Pilot's Log Book
1934-1941
1 5
Correspondence with Ace S. Raymond
1964
1 6
Floyd D. Hansen - My Aviation Scrapbook
1930-1960
1 7
Auto Mechanics Notebook
1920

Logan-Cache Airport, 1938-1996Return to Top

The Logan-Cache Airport section includes any materials that relate in general to the history of the airport. Materials include newspapers discussing the airport, a 1942 ledger from the Cache Valley Flying Service, airport regulation booklets, and a few other items..

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 8
Pamphlet: Address of Hon. James A. Farley - National Airmail Week
1938
1 9
Newspaper: The Cache American - “Logan Airport Dedicated at Colorful Ceremonies,” “Cache Flying Service Receives Praise”
1942
1 10
Booklet: Field Rules - Salt Lake Airport No. 1
1955
1 11
Booklets: Rules and Regulations - Logan-Cache Airport
1961
1 12
Utah Aeronautical Chart
1992
1 13
History of Cache County - Pilot Training in World War II
1996

Flying Manuals/Resources, 1939-1970Return to Top

The Flying Manuals/Resources section contains generic flying resources from 1939 to 1970 collected by Hansen. Materials include government manuals from the 1940s, a small binder of Air Facts magazine spanning 1939 to 1940, and other aviation publications..

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 1
Booklet: In-Flight Weather: A Handbook for Airmen
1949
2 2
Little Known Facts about the Scheduled Air Transport Industry - Volume Two
1940
2 3
American Aviation Historical Society - The Curtiss R-6 Racer
1970
2 4
Booklet: Steele’s Aid to Pilots: Regulations
1942
2 5
Booklet: Sanderson Flight Computer
1963
2 6
The National Geographic - Volume LXXXVIII, Number Four
1945
2 7
CAA Pilot’s Powerplant Manual
1940
2 8
Binder: Air Facts: The Magazine of Safe Flying
1939-1940

Oversized Materials, 1929-1984Return to Top

This section contains oversized items pertaining to Hansen's personal history as well as the Logan-Cache Airport. Items are not in folders.

Container(s) Description Dates
Personal History
1929-1976
Box
3
Newspaper/Photocopy: The Herald Journal - “Recognized as Pioneer of Cache Air Travel”
1964
3
Photocopy/Newspaper: “Wings Over Cache”
1970
3
Photocopy/Rolled Document: Collection of articles regarding Floyd D. Hansen
1938-1970
3
Aeroplane Engines Diploma: International Corresponence Schools
1929
Logan-Cache Airport
1942-1984
Box
3
Ledger: Cache Valley Flying Service
1942
3
Photocopies/Newspaper: The Herald Journal - Logan-Cache Airport Dedication Edition
1942
3
Rolled Map: Logan-Cache Airport - Valley Engineering, Inc.
1984

Flying Clothing, 1940Return to Top

This section is a collection of flying clothing used by Floyd D. Hansen during his aviation career.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
4
Leather Flight Jacket
1940
4
Leather Flight Pants
1940
4
Cloth Flying Helmet
1940
4
Cloth Flying Helmet
1940
4
Scarf
1940
4
Army Officer Dress Hat with CAA Badge
1940
4
Willson Pilot Goggles
1940

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Aeronautics--Utah--History.
  • Air pilots--Utah--Biography.
  • Flight jackets.

Corporate Names

  • Cache Valley Flying Service.
  • Civilian Pilot Training Program (U.S.)
  • Logan-Cache Airport.