Page Five

     Al Meyers and the group who had worked together to produce the Meyers 200 A model did not rest on their laurels. They listened to the suggestions of pilots and passengers on how to improve its performance. From this came the Meyers 200 B, C, and D. In the C and D models the ceiling of the cabin was raised for added height., and with it a larger swept-back windshield.
     All Al Meyers airplanes were flight tested at first by Al Meyers, and later by Ray Betzoldt. Al would not release an airplane from the plant until it flew exactly as he would want it. His favorite slogan was, "Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten." He once confided that he always prayed that no one would be hurt in a Meyers airplane because of something he might have left undone.
     In the late 1960's and 70's, airplane racing was a favorite sport in the aviation world. Al Meyers, himself, did not approve of racing. He believed that the private airplane was not for showing off tricks, but had a more useful function - to transport people quickly and safely to their designations.

     Nevertheless, he could not stop the private owners, who were delighted with the Meyers 200's speed, from challenging other planes to race. After an International Speed Race at Phoenix, Arizona came a telegram to Al Meyers, Tecumseh, Michigan, which reads as follows: "Meyers 200 wins all events at Phoenix 100 mile, 2-pylon closed course race. First place was W.C. Brodbeck, in a Meyers 200 B. Second place - Mel Stickney, Meyers 200 B. Third place - Ken Worth, Meyers 200 A... Average speed-win overall competition. 198.87 mph. A world class record established."
     The fame of the Meyers 200 performance spread throughout the United States and abroad. It also set a world's record in its class for around-the-world flight. Peter Gluckman, pilot. It won first place positions in every race it entered, but its real worth lay in the built -in safety of design for the plane and pilot. Many years later, the Meyers 200 design was adapted to a new version, with turbo prop and pressurized cabin, called the "Interceptor 400" - calculated to go almost that fast at high altitudes. Yet very little change was necessary in that conversio n, so sturdy and clean was the original model.

     In 1965, North American Rockwell Corporation decided to add to its existing line of large commercial airplanes - the manufacture of a small personal or executive-type plane. After an extensive survey of the available private airplanes, and interviews with manufacturers and dealers, they offered to purchase the design and manufacturing rights of the "200" from Al Meyers.
     It was with some reluctance that Al Meyers agreed to the sale. However, the growing cost of materials and labor for mass production required vast amounts of capital for investment which he, personally, could not raise. He accepted the offer with the expectation that the larger company would accomplish this. 
 

Al Meyers Airport - History