Gunter Voltz

2004

about

( -2011) SSA Director; SSA Youth Committee; Flight Instructor/Tow Pilot

Awards

Silver #1038 1965; Symons One Lennie #367

Bio

At 88 years of age, Guenter Voltz has spent 75 years instructing and inspiring a remarkable number of glider pilots both young and old. During his career, he has soloed well over 400 students and issued more than 700 A, B and C badges, as well as numerous Bronze badges. Voltz is an SSA Instructor and has been an FAA Aviation Safety Counselor for the 25 years preceding his Hall of Fame Induction.

A life member of the SSA, he spent many years as SSA State Governor for Wisconsin, served as an SSA Director and achieved top sales of SSA memberships in the United States. Voltz also volunteered his time to the SSA booth at the EAA AirVenture and tirelessly promoted soaring at civic and aviation groups. In 1969 he received an SSA Certificate of Appreciation for his dedication to youth in soaring.

Voltz owned three towplanes and at least ten sailplanes over the years. He logged well over 6,000 soaring hours, held several Wisconsin state records, and organized and managed numerous regional and local soaring contests as well as junior nationals. In addition, he founded and was president of five soaring clubs.

During his career as the head of the SSA Youth Committee, a position to which Voltz was appointed in 1962, the percentage of youth members reached an all-time high. In the 1960s and well into the 1970s, Voltz and his partners ran an Air Explorer post that produced an incredible number of young glider pilots. He encouraged these youth members to fly cross-country, resulting in numerous badges and records.

At the time of his induction into the Hall of Fame, Guenter Voltz continued to teach soaring, fulfilling what he believes to be the highest calling - spreading the gift of soaring to youth.

Guenter Voltz holds Silver #1038 (1965) and the Symons One Lennie Pin #367.

Reprinted from the United States Soaring Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony program.