Museum Project

August-Euler Flugplatz

  August-Euler Aviation Museum Association In cooperation with the Darmstadt Technical University

AUGUST EULER

 >  In 1908, August Euler (1868-1957) acquired a license to build Voisin Biplanes.  In the same year, he established airfield operations at the military training area called “Griesheimer Sand”, making it one of Germany ’s oldest airfields.  Euler designed, built and tested various aircraft at this location.  He founded a flying school and taught his students the art of flying, the most prominent of which was Prince Heinrich, brother of the German Emporer.

 >  At the first official Aviation Exhibition (ILA), which took place in Frankfurt in 1909, Euler presented several aircraft of his own design.  He was the only German flyer which successfully participated in the final week of flying competition, making a good showing against the much more experienced French delegation.  On February 1, 1910, he qualified for, and received, Germany ’s Pilot License No. 1.  In 1912, an Euler-designed airplane called the “Gelber Hund” (Yellow Dog) carried Germany ’s first official airmail, flown by Ferdinand von Hiddessen.

 >  After the WW-I, Euler was appointed to the government post of National Aviation Secretary.  In this function, he did much to organize postwar German aviation. 

 >  August Euler’s last domicile was in the house which he built on the Feldberg mountain in the Black Forest .  In 1952, he was awarded the highest civil medal for outstanding achievement, the “Grosse Verdienstkreuz” of the Federal Republic of Germany.

 >  August Euler died on July 1, 1957.  He was laid to rest in an honorary grave plot in the main cemetery of  Frankfurt am Main .

 THE HISTORY OF THE AUGUST-EULER-AIRFIELD

 >  Immediately after WW-I, the airfield “Griesheimer Sand” was occupied by French troops, which finally departed in 1930.  In the years that followed, the airfield became very active, due to intensive utilization by the German Sailplane Research Organization (DFS), and the Sailplane Department (Akaflieg) of the Damstadt Technical University (THD, now called TU Darmstadt).

 >  The head of the DFS, Professor Georgii, also taught Aeronautical Meteorology at the THD, thus combining the theoretical and practical elements of aviation.  Among many other important developments, the first towing of a glider by a powered aircraft was successfully demonstrated at the “Griesheimer Sand”.

 >  After WW-II, the airfield was occupied by the American Army.  Among other organizations, a helicopter rescue unit was stationed at the airfield.  In 1980, the airfield was renamed “August Euler Flugplatz”.  After the departure of the American Forces in 1992, flying operations on the airfield nearly ceased.  Today, large portions of the airfield are designated officially as nature preserves.  The Technical University of Darmstadt is now the owner of the airfield, and utilizes it for experimental automobile testing and aerodynamic flight research, as well as botanical and nature research projects.

 THE HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM’S DOUGLAS DC-8

 >  The forward fuselage segment of a Douglas DC-8 is the first exhibit of our future aviation museum.  The   DC-8 began its flying career in the service of United Airlines in 1960, and flew until 1985 with Bahama World Airways, Libyan Arab Airlines and United African Airlines.  The forward fuselage segment was used on the Visitors’ Terrace of the Frankfurt Airport as a cinema and kiosk from 1985 until March, 2006, when it was moved to its present location.  After a thorough restoration, the cockpit area is on display, and the cabin area is used as a Multi-Media Information Center .

Our club is registered with the Court of Frankfurt/Main under Registry Number VR 13607 and is officially recognized by the Friedberg/Hessen Finance Office as a Non-Profit Organization.

 THE AUGUST-EULER AVIATION MUSEUM ASSOCIATION

 >  The August-Euler Aviation Museum Association brings aviation enthusiasts together.  Our membership consists of aircraft builders, pilots, model airplane flyers, historians, local history buffs and aviation enthusiasts in general.  Each contributes to the organization with his/her special talents and capabilities toward achieving our project goal: The establishment of a “living” Aviation Museum at the August-Euler Airfield.

 The Museum will be based on three main themes:

• The Life and Achievements of August Euler

• Aviation and Technology

• Airfield and Environmental Protection

 Our mutual goals:

• Preservation of the heritage of aviation pioneer August Euler; aircraft designer and pilot

• Presentation of the aviation history of the Darmstadt and Rhein-Main region with special attention to the August-Euler Airfield in Darmstadt-Griesheim.

• Collecting and exhibiting historical aviation artefacts, thereby preserving important cultural values.

• Implementation of educational programs to increase the public awareness of aviation-related technical developments, research and environmental protection

  Club Officers: