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The Barbers and Their Flying Field: A Brief History Alden L. Barber was born on March 17, 1905, in Hillsdale, Pennsylvania. He moved to Cleveland, Ohio at the age of 17 and opened his own auto repair shop. In 1926, he married Edna Guynn of Edinburg, Ohio. In 1932, Al learned to fly at the East End Airport in Cleveland. He bought his first airplane, an OX-5 powered American Eagle NC4988 from his flight instructor, Franklin Knapp. This was to be the first of many airplanes to be owned and/or flown by Al. In 1934, he bought a Cirrus powered Great Lakes bi-plane NC703K. On September 24, 1936, he and a partner bought a Wright J-5 powered Stearman C-3. In 1937, he bought a Le Blond 70 powered Porterfield. He also flew a Gypsy Moth, Taylor Cub, Eaglerock, Travelair, J-2 Cub, Waco 9, and a Waco 10. In 1940, Al, Edna, and their daughter Scotty moved to Alliance where Al became a test pilot for the Taylorcraft Company. He bought a farm with 40 acres and Barber Airport was born. In 1942, Al's wife Edna
("Boots") gave birth to a son, Forrest. At the age of 6,
Forrest was landing Taylorcrafts and learning to work the
controls. He soloed on his 16th birthday...November 10, 1958.
In the early 70's, Forrest test flew Taylorcrafts. Today Forrest
is considered by many to be one of the finest aerobatic pilots in
northeastern Ohio. Al Barber passed away in 1976. Edna
continued to run the airport until she passed away
in 1994. Today, Forrest and his wife Patty continue to run the airport
and Barber Aircraft, Inc., which specializes in flight instruction
(particularly tailwheel and aerobatics) and aircraft maintenance.  Barber Airport 1946-47 Barber Airport Today... Barber Airport is the home of the Taylorcraft Owner's Club and the Taylorcraft Foundation and the annual Taylorcraft Fly-In and Old Timers Reunion. Each year, on the weekend following the 4th of July, Taylorcraft owners and friends from around the world meet at the airport located north of Alliance on State Route 225. The two grass runways and the laid-back, "grass roots aviation" atmosphere of
Barber Airport make it the perfect location for a classic airplane
fly-in. The nature of Barber Airport
makes it a great location for operators of ultralights and classic and
antique aircraft (ie. NORDO aircraft). There is also a very active
skydiving center located on the north side of the airport and skydivers
are very common. Please use caution when approaching the airport,
follow the left hand traffic pattern for all runways, and announce your
position on CTAF 122.9 if radio equipped. |
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