Paula Neumann Chapa is chairman of the Harold Neumann Project, which showcases the accomplishments of Harold Neumann’s flying career. Harold Neumann grew up in Geneseo.
Chapa was invited recently to fly in Mr. Mulligan in Clear Lake, Iowa, and shared this information with me: “Doug Rozendaal is the proprietor and it was something for me to be able to do with the history of Harold Neumann and this plane.”
Information received previously from Paula Neumann Chapa, states, “During Harold Neumann’s flying career of 70 years, he accomplished much more than that farm boy from Geneseo, ever imagined he could. In 1935, Harold Neumann won the Greve Trophy, the Thompson Trophy (With Mr. Mulligan in 1935) along with the award of America’s #1 Pilot by the National Aeronautical Association. He is acknowledged in the Smithsonian; he was a barnstormer, skywriter, and a Captain for TWA for 30 years. From Jenny’s to Jets, this man was not just a pilot, he was a genius.”
PAULA NEUMAN CHAPA’S STORY OF FLIGHT IN MR. MULLIGAN
HOWARD DGA-6
“MR. MULLIGAN”
Harold Neumann and Benny Howard in Mr. Mulligan 1935
“As we taxi down the runway, I am feeling a great deal of wonder as I am not sure if I am going to be able to enjoy the flight or sit with my eyes closed the whole time. Dramamine -check, something to throw up in – check, reminding myself to breath…. Before I knew it, the wheels had left the runway, and we were flying! What a rush! A smooth as silk climb into the sky. My first ever flight in a non-commercial plane, let alone a racer.
Doug Rozendaal, proprietor of Mr. Mulligan, Clear Lake, Iowa, gave me the Harold Neumann flight as if I were actually in the Thompson Race myself - 235 miles an hour and turning the plane as if actually rounding the pylon. How they flew so close together, racing in and out of each other is beyond me.
These are large planes maneuvering around a tower, not knowing where the other planes were in the race. It takes a person with focus and patients to be able to do that feat, and Harold obviously was that sort of pilot. As Jimmy Doolittle once said, “I was successful with racing only because I was good at focusing on one thing. I could focus on the race and only the race.”
Paula Neumann Chapa looking out the same window of Mr. Mulligan on her recent flight.
Being able to look out of Mr. Mulligan and see as far as the eye can see, was like nothing I had experienced before. Fields, lakes, water ways and cities. Another rush I was not expecting. I am reminded of Harold’s first flight in his Jenny. How he felt seeing things from above for the first time. No wonder pilots are drawn to the sky. It is wonderful! Calming and exciting at the same time. Just to fly along without a care in the world. My kind of medicine.
As we flew, I was also reminded about stories in Harold’s 1939 book about fixing the planes midflight. If something was not right, especially if flying Mike or Ike, Harold would work on the plane…. DID I MENTION WHILE FLYING! It amazes me that someone can think that fast. Multitasking to say the least!
We came around to land and just as smoothly as we took off from the runway, we landed. The kind of smoothness only men like Doug and Harold could provide. I was glad to be on the ground and yet, I was disappointed that what I had been excited for was over. Just another reason to come back and do it again, Doug said. And you can bet I will if the opportunity is there.
It was the night of Doug & Kim’s 3rd Thursday fly in. I was able to meet some wonderful people that just like to fly together and talk with other pilots about planes. The potluck was great as were the people. I brought the Greve and Thompson Trophies from the Geneseo Historical Museum as well as some pictures and old newspaper clippings to share. That was a hit, and it was fun to answer questions about some of the aviation pioneers that I have uncovered through years of looking through Harold’s clippings and notes.
As they pulled Doug & Kim’s additional planes back into the hangar, I was reminded about the comradery of these aviators that have become friends through the years. I was reminded of stories Harold told of how often a problem would occur and how they all worked together for a solution. The wonderful stories and laughter that occurred as we ate together was something that I will look forward to experiencing more of in the future.
I may not be a pilot, but I still feel like a big part of this thing called aviation. It has certainly touched my soul as I can only imagine it did Harold’s.”
Paula Neumann Chapa, Chair, Harold Neumann Project (My Grandfather and Harold were first cousins.) geneseoaviationpioneer.com – webpage
haroldneumannrace – facebook
geneseoaviationpioneer@gmail.com - email
