Cloyd and Audrey Artman

Cloyd Artman pioneered gliding in Oroville, Washington.  As a high school senior, in 1932, Cloyd constructed his own craft with the help his manual arts teacher.  The 175-pound glider was named The Golden Dawn. Cloyd rigged it to his teacher’s car.  With enough speed down the baseball field, the glider climbed more than 300 feet.

As expected, Cloyd Artman gained more experience and confidence. Consequently, he launched The Golden Dawn from 4,333-high Ellemeham Mountain.  His next opportunities occurred at flying expositions.  Monies from the performances funded his mechanical engineering studies at Washington State College.  He started the WSC Aero Club and amazed students with his autotow launches.

The Golden Dawn made more than 300 successful flights before being destroyed in a car accident.  Donations from Oroville’s residents enabled Cloyd to build his next glider.  They were more than entertained as Cloyd executed dangerous night flights. Flashlights and auto headlights assisted in successful landings.  

Cloyd’s sister Audrey was equally talented as a glider pilot. One of a handful of the nation’s women glider pilots, she broke amateur altitude and endurance records.

The Final Flight

Audrey and Cloyd enjoyed gliding until 1937.  Under the direction of Cloyd, the Aero Club built a high-performance, two-place glider named The Comet. Cloyd and club member Frank See enjoyed a smooth flight over the Snake River until the left wing folded in on itself. 

Audrey was horrified as she watched The Comet and its occupants plummet to the bottom of the gorge.  So devastated, she pledged to never fly again.  Club members burned the wreckage, the final statement for Clyde Artman, a remarkable pioneer.  

Despite the tragedy, the fearless spirit of Cloyd and Audrey Artman showed how a pair of adventurous teenagers from Oroville could break free from the ground’s restraints and soar.  They proved to be the inspiration for another generation of youngsters to learn the art of soaring.