Kenneth Evatt Borden: Aviation Pioneer
Kenneth Evatt Borden, an aviation pioneer and successful businessman, was born August 25, 1910 in Webster City, Iowa.
Borden began flying at an early age, beginning aeronautical training while still in high school. In 1928, at the age of 18, he became the youngest licensed pilot in the United States. He used this skill to run a successful commercial mail business for over a decade, eventually taking his plane out of the mail business and expanding his operations to include mobile aircraft repair and maintenance.
Dedicated to furthering the educational opportunities of aviation, Borden started a number of programs to provide formal instruction in basic flight and flying related subjects. He helped establish the Iowa Civil Air Patrol and the Iowa Aviation Association, and was elected President of the latter in 1946.
Borden focused on expanding the general knowledge about aviation and teaching others about the importance of aviation safety. He was a gifted public speaker, a contributor to a number of aviation magazines, and a vocal safety advocate in the aviation industry itself.
During World War II, Borden served as a combat fighter pilot, with over a hundred combat missions to his credit. He was able to transfer his flying skills to the military, engaging in dogfights with Japanese pilots while serving as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy Air Corps.
Following the war, Borden held a number of important positions in the aviation industry. He was Chairman of the National Federation of Airmen, President of the National Air Safety Council, and Executive Vice President of the Aircraft Industries Corporation. He also served as President of the Wright Aeronautical Corporation, one of the few major aircraft manufacturers at the time.
As an aviator and as a businessman, Borden succeeded in making a significant contribution to the industry. He was an advocate for improving the standards of air operations and air safety, and a vocal proponent of extending educational opportunities for aspiring aviators.
Until his death in 2006, Borden remained a tireless promoter of the aviation industry, and of the pilots, engineers, and mechanics who work in it. He was honored with the University of Iowa College of Engineering’s highest award, the George H. Willett Award, in 1998 and in 2006 he was inducted into the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame.
Kenneth Evatt Borden was a major influence in shaping the aviation industry into what it is today. His commitment to safety, his dedication to education, and his passion for business all contributed to the creation of the aviation industry as it is known today. His legacy forever lives on in the hearts of his students, his friends, and all those who have benefited from his lifetime of service and dedication to the field of aviation.
