Minnesota Aviation - Hall of Fame 2025 Inductee

Nicholas B. Mamer

January 29, 1898 – January 10, 1938

Nicholas Bernard Mamer was born in Hastings, MN, on January 29, 1898. Mechanically

Inclined, Nicholas became interested in all aspects of gas-powered engines. At 15 he was the

chauffeur for a local doctor.

On June 30, 1916, Nicholas enlisted in the Aviation Branch of the US Army Signal

Corps, forerunner of today's Air Force. Pvt. Mamer was sent to the Signal Corps' new aviation

training school at North Island, San Diego, to become an aircraft "mechanican," the early term

for an aircraft mechanic. Upon completion of his training, he was assigned to the 7th Aero

Squadron, stationed in the Canal Zone, Panama. Recognizing his mechanical skills, Nicholas

quickly advanced in rank and began acquiring unofficial stick time as often as possible. Bitten

by the flying bug, Master Signal Electrician Mamer, applied, and was accepted, at the Military

School of Aeronautics, at Princeton University, reporting on June 14, 1918.

Nicholas completed his ground school training on October 5, 1918 and was ordered to

Kelly Field, Texas, for his flight training. On April 19, 1919, he earned his wings and was

commissioned a 2nd Lt., Air Corps, R.M.A (Reserve Military Aviator). He was discharged May

1, 1919 and returned to Minnesota, an un-employed disciple of aviation.

A successful job search landed Nick a flying position with Clarence Hinks' Federated

Flyers, based in NE Minneapolis. Barnstorming, county fairs, and flight instruction kept Nick

busy. It also led to an invitation from Clarence Paulson, a student pilot from Spokane,

Washington, to come west and establish flying activities in the Inland Empire. Based at

Parkwater Airport in east Spokane, Mamer operated Mamer Flying Service, was an early

member of Washington State's 116th Aero Squadron, and held numerous contracts with timber

companies for aerial fire patrol. Nick participated in the 1927 and 1928 National Air Races. In

1929 Nick and Art Walker, flew a Buhl CA-6 Airsedan, named the Spokane Sun God, on a

historic non-stop transcontinental flight that demonstrated the practical use of air-to-air

refueling.

In 1929, Mamer Air Transport was formed, purchased two new Ford Tri-motors and

attempted to start Seattle to Minneapolis/St. Paul scheduled air service. Lacking the income of

an air mail contract, and butting heads with Northwest Airways, Nick eventually sold the

Trimotors and became a pilot for Northwest.

On January 10, 1938, Nick, his co-pilot, and eight passengers died in the crash of a

Northwest Airlines Lockheed Model 14H Sky Zephyr airliner over Bridger Mountains,

Montana. He is buried in Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery, Seattle, Washington. A memorial

clock dedicated in Nick's memory stands next to the terminal building at Felt's Field, the renamed Parkwater Airport, in Spokane.