The History Of COSA
Since 1958, COSA has been a community of passionate glider pilots and students committed to helping people experience the joy of soaring.
About COSA
Central Ohio Soaring Association is a cooperative, non-profit organization that exists to provide an educational opportunity for its members to learn to fly gliders, and to continue to develop the skills necessary to be successful pilots. We have a rich history and are pleased to share photos from throughout the decades.
COSA Historical Photos | Album 01
1953 - 1960 OSU and Marion
1954: Ben Harlement tries out the Field Car—a stripped down 1936 Ford. Photo notes: {indeterminate} Spring 1954.
1955: 2-22 preparing for a flight, pilot unkown. Ben and Jesse Harlament in background, others unidentified. No photo notes.
1955: The 2-22 being dragged out to the flight line. Ben Harlament running the wing. Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.
1957: Tow car made from a Ford Straight 8 with dynoflo transmission. The wheel was used to evenly wind up the towline. Photo notes: Northway Airport 1957 OSU.
1957: Winch at Northway Airport, OSU. Photo notes: Northway Airport 1957 OSU.
Dick Batts in the tow car returning the wire to the winch, unknown pilot in the 2-22 (notice no back door in this model). Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.
Ralph Turner in the 2-22 preparing for a flight. Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.
Club member preparing for a flight in the 2-22. People unknown in photo. Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.
Hooking up the 2-22 by an unknown person. Notice the parachute on the end of the towline. Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.
1956: 2-22 preparing for launch, wingrunner unknown. Photo notes:Launching. Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.
1956: Glider pilot calling the signals for launching the 2-22, pilot unknown. Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.
Radio equipment being used for launch, this approach was tried for a while but was discontinued. Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.
Club members connecting a parachute to the tow wire. Unknown members. Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.
2-22 on a winch tow at Don Scott Field —notice the wing angle. Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.
2-22 during a winch launch — notice wing angle in relation to the ground. Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.
1954: Guy Storer, instructor of Mississippi State Glider Club, checks out A.C. Mowitsky, Asst. Director of Virginia Aeronautics Division. Glider is a 1-19 Schweizer.
Club members launching 2-22. Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.
2-22 from below. Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.
1955: Club's 2-22 on trailer at the storage barn near Don Scott Field.
1955: Winch operators in action. The man in the middle facing the camera is Jim Greshel, others unknown. Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.
1958: 2-22 landing at Don Scott Field. Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.
1958: 2-22 at Don Scott Field. Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.
1957: 2-22 with Ben Harlament, Don Bronsteder, Paul Wolfe, Homer French, person in glider unknown, Roy McMaster in back seat, person kneeling unknown. Photo notes: By Ralph Turner, March 9, 1957. Was to be used for article in Columbus Star but wasn't.
1954: Spring; the winch before it was started, i.e. as it was when the club bought it minus the hood. Ralph Turner on the fender, Ben Harlament standing.
Marion Municipal Airport, date unknown.
1960: Marion Airport, L-5 and J-3 towplanes. Left to right: 1-26, club built 1-26, 2-22 and the 1-19. Jack Burk, Warren Kniepkamp, Hal Secrest, unknown, Mr. and Mrs. Marty Mecham, and Paul Wolfe.
1954: A.C. Mowitsky in a Schweizer 1-19.
1954: A.C. Mowitsky landing the 1-19.
1953: 1-19, Don Scott. Photo: L.M. Schwartzkopf, Findlay OH. Scanned from printout.
1954: Cinema glider just before takeoff.
1957: Car at Don Scott Field, Riders unknown.
1953: Summer group picture taken in Dayton, OH. Left to right: Rudy Obetz, C. Brown, Norm Ellers, Ralph Turner, Jim Grashel, and Ben Harlement.
2-22 over corn field at Don Scott Field. Columbus Dispatch Photo by Jack Hutton.